While the interventions to support businesses through this unpredictable time have received much attention in the media, less has been paid to the expansion of our established welfare systems to support individuals. Various civil society organisations are calling for a closer look at the appropriateness of basic-income grants, as well as the institution of a pregnancy grant and others. What is the state of the welfare system in SA and what does the pandemic teach us about preventative disaster management through the support of the on-going health of the public?