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.
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. The grant is set to come to an end in March 2024.
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.
Once your Sassa R350 grant application has been submitted, the agency usually sends you an SMS confirming that your application is complete. R350 grant applicants can track their grant application status using the steps listed below.
What is a SASSA Status Check?
Do you need to do a SASSA status check? When you apply for a SASSA grant you will want to do a status check to check the progress of your application. Your SRD status is an important thing to check. You must make sure that what you check SASSA status to ensure you receive your payment on the correct date. You can also do a general Sassa status check..
SASSA status check allows R350 SRD grant applicants to check the status of their applications, as well as appeal any rejected applications. There are some dangers when you are doing a Sassa status check so please beware of fake websites.
Applicants are also able to see if their application has been approved or declined, and they are able to check the status of the SRD grant online. You can either do an SRD status check or a general Sassa status check.
How To Do A Sassa Status Check
- Go to srd.sassa.gov.za to apply online
- Enter your mobile number
- Click "Send SMS"
- Then enter the one-time pin (OTP) that Sassa has sent to the number for the status check
- Continue the application process by filling in the steps required
Following this, applicants must give permission for Sassa to verify their identity, residential address, income, or social security benefits before Sassa accepts their Sassa online application. This process also requires applicants to sign and accept a declaration of consent.
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. Make sure to save the message for future reference or take a screenshot for easy access.
Checking your Sassa status via WhatsApp is a convenient option, especially for those who prefer using their mobile phones.
R350 Grant Statuses On What They Mean
While your R350 application is being processed, you may come across other status indications that give you an idea of what the status of your application is. These are some of them and what they mean.
Application complete
When you see this status, it means Sassa has received your SRD grant application, so there is nothing more you need to do. Sassa will verify your grant each month, and make payment via your chosen payment method. All you need to do now is check your verification and payment status each month, using the Sassa status check tool above.
Bank details pending
Seeing this status means Sassa has received your application or reapplication, but you did not submit your banking details or the preferred payment method. You will need to submit your banking details for the R350 grant application here.
After submitting your banking details or selecting your payment method, wait a few days and then check your Sassa status again.
Reapplication pending
This means Sassa has not received your reapplication. You will need to submit your application for the SRD grant here. Wait a few days after submitting your application and then proceed to check your status using your ID number and the cellphone number you applied with.
Pending
This status means Sassa is currently in the process of verifying your application for that particular month there is no further action you need to take. Check your R350 grant status in a few days' time to see if your application has been approved.
Approved
This status means Sassa has approved your application for that particular month. You should also be able to see your payment date for that particular month if the pay date is not shown yet, give it a few days and check again.
Declined
when you see this status, it means Sassa has unfortunately declined your application for that particular month. You should also see a reason why you were declined. If you feel your application was declined in error, you can submit a request for reconsideration
Cancelled
This status indicates that Sassa has cancelled your R350 grant. If you would like to reinstate your R350 grant, you can then reapply for the R350 grant, provided you meet the requirements.
To ensure that your R350 grant application is processed in a timely manner, Sassa always emphasized the importance of providing accurate and updated information. This can go a long way in ensuring that you avoid unnecessary delays in receiving your R350.
What To Do If Your SASSA Status Check Is Successful
If you check your SRD Grant status and it indicates that your application for the distress grant has been approved, you will soon receive your money.
Once you receive confirmation from SASSA that your grant money is available for collection, you have several options to access it. This confirmation will be sent to SRD grant beneficiaries via an SMS to the cell phone number used by the grant beneficiary when they applied for the grant.
Sassa Payment Status Dates
The different Sassa grants have different payment dates so you must consult the payment schedule to confirm when you will get your grant payments. For permanent social grants, the SASSA announces payments dates at start of each month.
The first week of each month is usually reserved for the payment of permanent social grants, however, this may change and this is why it is crucial to stay updated about the Sassa payment schedule.
It's important to note that the SRD R350 grant, does not have a fixed payment date. Sassa approves applications for this grant, and beneficiaries are notified via message when their payment is available for collection. Once individuals are notified that their grant application is successful, they have a few options of where they can collect it.
Where To Collect Your SRD Grant?
Approved SRD grant beneficiaries can collect their grants at various retail stores such as Pick n Pay, Shoprite, Checkers, and Boxer stores.
These retail partners offer a convenient way for beneficiaries to access their funds as they have many locations across the country and convenient operating hours.
Alternatively, if you prefer, you may choose to have your grant funds deposited directly into your personal bank account. This option eliminates the need to physically visit a retail store and saves you money that you would have spent travelling to the retail store to collect your distress grant.
What To Do If Your SASSA Status Check Is Unsuccessful
If your R350 SRD grant application or SASSA status check was unsuccessful there is an opportunity for you to submit an appeal application, where Sassa will re-evaluate your grant application.
Here Is How To Submit Your R350 Grant Appeal
- Step 1: Visit The ITSAA Website
- Step 2: Enter Your Identification Number
- Step 3: Enter The Cell Phone Number You Used During The Application Process
- Step 4: Click Send “Pin”
- Step 5: Once you receive the pin, you will be required to insert it and click “Submit”
- Step 6: Select the month that you are appealing for
- Step 7: Secret the drop-down arrow to choose the reason for your appeal application from the options provided
- Step 8: Click “Submit” to complete the appeal application process
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.
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 SASSA SRD Grant 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 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 To Contact Sassa
You can visit the Sassa website for information or contact Sassa directly. The Sassa toll-free number (080060 10 11) and dedicated email address for grant enquiries ([email protected]) are available for assistance and support.
The SASSA Toll-Free Number
The SASSA toll-free number is a dedicated helpline specifically designed to address queries and provide guidance to applicants and approved grant beneficiaries. Toll-free means that it does not cost beneficiaries any money or airtime to call SASSA for their grant queries.
The SASSA Head Office
Serious concerns may be escalated to the SASSA head office, which is the central administrative body responsible for overseeing the grant distribution process.
