What is SASSA?
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) provides financial assistance to low-income individuals in the form of social grants. These individuals rely on monthly Sassa grant payments to purchase their most basic needs.
If you're a SASSA grant beneficiary it is important to stay up to date with the latest grant developments, grant payment dates or any changes made by the agency.
The agency aims to provide a social safety net for vulnerable South Africans, particularly those who are unable to support themselves due to poverty, disability, or other circumstances. SASSA was established in 2005 and falls under the Department of Social Development.
The different grants that SASSA provides to vulnerable South Africans include the following:
- Old Persons Grant
- Disability Grant
- Care Dependency Grant
- Social Relief of Distress Grant
- War Veterans Grant
- Foster Child Grant
- Child Support Grant
- Grant-in-aid
- R350 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant
What is the SASSA SRD Grant?
Sassa introduced the Social Relief of Distress grant, commonly referred to as the SRD or R350 grant, during the Covid-19 pandemic to assist some of the country’s most vulnerable citizens. Although the State of Disaster has come to an end, the SRD grant will continue.
The grant was meant to last for a period of six months after it was introduced, but it has since been extended a few times while maintaining its value of R350.
In order to qualify for this grant, all candidates must be unemployed, be between the ages of 18 and 59 years old and earn less than R624 per month.
In this comprehensive guide, we cover all things SASSA SRD grant, include how to apply and how SASSA R350 Grant payments work.
Eligibility Criteria For The SASSA R350 Grant
In order to receive the SASSA R350 grant payments Applicants must be:
- Unemployed
- South African citizens, permanent residents, refugees, holders of a special permit under the Special Angolan Dispensation, the Lesotho Exemption Permit Dispensation; Zimbabwe Exemption Permit Dispensation; or Asylum seekers with a valid section 22 permit or visa
- Between 18 and 59 years old
- Live within the borders of South Africa
- Be registered on the Home Affairs database or Sassa's social grant database for individuals without ID documents
- Not living in a government Institution or subsidized institution
- Not receiving Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) Benefits or National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) support or any other social grants distributed by Sassa
R350 Grant Application Process
When completing the online application form for SASSA SRD, it is crucial to provide accurate and complete information.
This includes personal details such as your full name, ID number, contact information, and address. Make sure to double-check all the information you enter to avoid any errors or discrepancies.
Additionally, be prepared to provide supporting documents and evidence to support your application, such as proof of income, bank statements, and proof of residence.
Providing accurate and complete information will increase your chances of a successful application and ensure that you receive the assistance you need.
This will also increase your chances at being successful when doing your SASSA status checks.
Upload supporting documents
As part of the application process for SASSA SRD, you may be required to upload supporting documents to provide evidence and support your application.
These documents may include proof of income, bank statements, proof of residence, and any other relevant documentation. It is important to ensure that these documents are accurate, complete, and up to date.
Before uploading, make sure to scan or take clear photos of the documents to ensure legibility. Follow the instructions provided on the application portal to upload the documents securely.
Providing the necessary supporting documents will help expedite the processing of your application and increase your chances of a successful outcome.
How To Apply For R350 Grant Online
- Go to srd.sassa.gov.za.
- Select your citizenship criteria at the end of the page (either pick 'South African ID Holders' or 'Asylum Seekers and Special Permit Holders')
- Select the yellow bar that says, 'click here to apply online' under the 'How do I apply for this SRD Grant' or the 'Asylum Seekers and Special Permit Holders' section depending on your citizenship selection
- Enter your mobile number
- Click "send SMS"
- Then enter the one-time pin that Sassa has sent to the number
- Continue the application process by filling in the steps required by Sassa
Apply for the R350 grant on WhatsApp
- Add 082 046 8553 as a contact on your phone
- Go on WhatsApp and send a message saying 'hi' to this number
- You will then receive a response and you should then respond saying 'help'
- You will be given various options, reply saying '4'
- This will lead you to the Unathi Sassa platform message which you should reply 'SRD' to
- You then have to confirm whether you're applying for yourself or someone else
- Now the actual application begins, and you'll have to submit your name, surname and ID number in the message
- You will then receive a message on WhatsApp stating the next steps
How to check your Sassa status online
Follow these simple steps to check your SASSA status online:
- Start by visiting the official Sassa website
- Look for the 'Application Status' prompt
- Click on the link and provide the necessary information, such as your ID number.
- Once you have entered the required details, click on the "Check Status" button.
Wait for the system to process your request and display your Sassa status.
Checking your Sassa status online is a quick and convenient method that allows you to access your information at any time, from anywhere. It eliminates the need for lengthy phone calls or in-person visits, saving you time and effort.
How to check your Sassa status via WhatsApp
If you prefer to check your Sassa status using your mobile phone, you can do so with a simple WhatsApp message.
Follow these step-by-step instructions to check your Sassa status via WhatsApp:
- Add the Sassa WhatsApp number to your contacts: 082 046 8553.
- Open WhatsApp and send a message to the Sassa number that says "Status" followed by your ID number.
- Double-check the accuracy of your ID number to avoid any errors.
- Sassa will then provide the necessary information regarding your application status.
After sending the SMS, you will receive a response with your SASSA status. The message should include information about your application, payment dates, and eligibility.
Reasons Your Application May Be Rejected
Sassa re-evaluates R350 grant applications every month to ensure the grant applicant is still in need of support.
Those who have applied for the R350 SRD grant and were rejected, have the opportunity to appeal this decision. When making an appeal to a declined application, it is important to keep up to date with the status of your appeal.
It is important to make sure that you meet all the eligibility requirements before submitting an application, otherwise your SRD grant application will be rejected.
If your circumstances change, for example, Sassa finds that you are now receiving an income, you will no longer qualify for a social relief grant, meaning that the agency will no longer pay you. Your SRD application will also be rejected if you are receiving another grant from Sassa.
If you are UIF registered you will not be eligible to receive an SRD grant. You may also qualify for another grant, such as the old age pension, which you should apply for instead.
How To Submit A SASSA Appeal
Follow these steps to submit a Sassa appeal:
- Visit The ITSAA Website
- Enter Your Identification Number
- Enter The Cell Phone Number You Used During The Application Process
- Click Send “Pin”
- Once you receive the pin, you will be required to insert it and click “Submit”
- Select the month that you are appealing for
- Secret the drop-down arrow to choose the reason for your appeal application from the options provided
- Click “Submit” to complete the appeal application process
How To Track Your R350 Grant Appeal
In order to check your SRD grant appeal you are required to do a SASSA status check on your appeal to make sure that you appeal hasn't got lost in the Sassa system.
To check on your SASSA grant appeal status you need to have your ID number with you. This is how you research your grant appeal and find out your grant appeal status.
- Go to Sassa Appeals Website
- Enter ID number
- Enter telephone number
- Track appeal
You can also call the Sassa Call Centre on their cellphone number which is 0800 601 011. If you've already submitted an appeal, you don't need to submit another or contact the Sassa office.
It is important to note that the outcome of your appeal will be relayed through a confirmation message via SMS, this is why it is important to provide the correct contact details.
How SRD Appeals Work
It is important to note that these appeal applications are no longer submitted directly to Sassa. Initially, Sassa handled the appeal applications when the grant was first introduced, but they no longer process appeals.
Instead, unsuccessful R350 grant applicants must submit a R350 grant appeal application to the Independent Tribunal For Social Assistance Appeals (ITSAA).
Once individuals have submitted their appeal application, the ITSAA then uses various databases to verify information provided to verify their eligibility for the grant.
The databases are used to confirm personal information and income information as well.
Furthermore, applicants are advised that they will receive the outcome of their appeal applications between 60 to 90 days from when it was submitted. The decision made by the ITSAA are considered final.
How SRD grant payments work
It's important to note that the special SRD grant, commonly known as the R350 grant, does not have a fixed grant payment date. Sassa approves applications for this grant, and beneficiaries are notified via message when their payment is available for collection.
Once your Sassa SRD status check appeal has been confirmed successful, grant payments will then be made from the month you initially applied. You should make sure that Sassa has your bank account details so that the grant payment can be paid to you directly.
Collect Your R350 Grant
There are a few options which SRD grant beneficiaries can choose from to collect their grant payments.
Bank Account: SRD grant beneficiaries have the option of having their grants paid directly into their bank account. This is a convenient grant payment method as beneficiaries can access their money at any time after the grant payment was made by Sassa.
CashSend Services: Should beneficiaries not have a bank account, they can also receive your R350 grant through a CashSend. Beneficiaries will have to use their ID numbers and phone numbers to access their grant money. You must have a cellphone with a registered cellphone number and proof of identification.
Retail outlets: Sassa grants are paid to selected retailers around the country. Beneficiaries can withdraw their money at any time when the retail outlet is operational. Pick n Pay, Shoprite, Boxer stores, Usave stores and Checkers all distribute social grant payments.
Shoprite Group:The Shoprite Group has now made it possible for R350 grant holders to fetch their SRD grant payments at any of their 1 286 supermarkets across South Africa, which includes Checkers, USave, OK and Shoprite stores.
To find out more about Sassa grants, including the R350 grant, head to our Sassa section
