How To Submit A R350 Grant Appeal

The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) revealed that around 10 million people provided financial support from the social relief of distress (SRD) grant monthly. However, Sassa received millions of R350 grant applications from South African citizens that were unsuccessful. 

Clients whose R350 grant application was declined have the right to appeal the decision made by Sassa. However it is important to note that the R350 grant appeals process has changed. 

The legislation under which the SRD R350 grant is provided and the qualifying criteria are not the only things that change about the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant. The process of submitting a R350 grant appeal has also changed.

The Minister of Social Development (DSD) has appointed the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals to consider and decide on appeals relating to the SRD R350 grant. 

Sassa R350 Grant Criteria

In order to qualify and receive the financial support the social relief of distress grant provides, applicants need to meet a specific eligibility criteria, which can be found on the SRD Sassa website.

The Sassa R350 grant is available for all South Africans, aged 18 to 59, who have no other source of income. This means they cannot be receiving a salary or any other grants from Sassa. So, the eligibility criteria are quite simple.

Once you send in an application form, with your personal details, to benefit from Sassa's Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant you should do a Sassa status check to make sure your application was submitted successfully. If Sassa rejected you and you disagree with that outcome, the first thing you need to do is lodge an appeal. This is quite easy, as you can appeal electronically.

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 SRD R350 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. 

SRD SASSA GOV ZA APPLICATION

Here's how to apply for the SRD R350 grant online:

1. Go to SRD Sassa website (srd sassa gov za application)
2. Select your citizenship criteria at the end of the page (either pick 'South African ID Holders' or 'Asylum Seekers and Special Permit Holders')
3. 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
4. Enter your mobile number
5. Click "send SMS" 
6. Then enter the one-time pin that Sassa has sent to the number 
7. Continue the application process by filling in the steps required by Sassa

How To Check Your Sassa Status

1. Visit the SRD Sassa website.
2. Scroll down to 'Application status'. 
3. Select 'Click here to check online'.
4. Fill in the required fields.
5. You should then be able to see the status of your R350 grant application.

Apply for the SRD R350 grant on WhatsApp

Follow these simple steps:

1. Add 082 046 8553 as a contact on your phone
2. Go on WhatsApp and send a message saying 'hi' to this number
3. You will then receive a response and you should then respond saying 'help'
4. You will be given various options, reply saying '4'
5. This will lead you to the Unathi Sassa platform message which you should reply 'SRD' to
6. You then have to confirm whether you're applying for yourself or someone else
7. Now the actual application begins, and you'll have to submit your name, surname and ID number in the message
8. You will then receive a message on WhatsApp stating the next steps

Check Your Sassa Status On WhatsApp

1. Add 082 046 8553 to your phone.
2. Send a message to that number. 
3. Follow the instructions. 

Here’s How To Submit A New SRD R350 Grant Appeal

Follow these steps to submit a Sassa appeal:

1. Visit The ITSAA Website
2. Enter Your Identification Number
3. Enter The Cell Phone Number You Used During The Application Process
4. Click Send “Pin”
5. Once you receive the pin, you will be required to insert it and click “Submit”
6. Select the month that you are appealing for
7. Secret the drop-down arrow to choose the reason for your appeal application from the options provided
8. Click “Submit” to complete the appeal application process

How To Do A Sassa Status Check Your R350 Grant Appeal

In order to check  your social relief 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.

1. Go to Sassa Appeals Website
2. Enter ID number
3. Enter telephone number
4. 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. 

When Will I Know If My Appeal Was Successful Or Not?

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 applications 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.

Beneficiaries should also be open to the possibility that the process can take longer due to the influx of similar applications being processed by the application system. Keep in mind that the R350 grant is administered entirely online.

Remember to always provide accurate information, submit all required documents, and regularly check for updates on your application and appeal, as  can save your a lot of time and effort.

How social relief grant payments work

It's important to note that the social relief grant, commonly known as the 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 your Sassa SRD status check appeal has been confirmed successful, payments will then be made from the month you initially applied after bank verification. You should make sure that Sassa has your bank account details so that the grant can be paid to you directly.

Collect Your R350 Grant

There are a few options which social grant beneficiaries can choose from to collect their social grants payments. 

Bank Account: Social relief grant beneficiaries have the option of having their grants paid directly into their bank account by providing Sassa with their banking details. This is a convenient grant payment method as beneficiaries can access their money at any time after the payment was made by Sassa. 

Sassa has said that the banking details need to belong to the beneficiary. Beneficiaries will also need to provide their mobile number and South African ID number so that Sassa can notify them of their Sassa payments being ready.

CashSend Services: Should beneficiaries not have a bank account with banking details, 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: Social 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 grants.

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. 

Need To Contact SASSA? Here Are The Sassa Contact Details

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. You can also reach Sassa on their social media channels.

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, even those involving how to submit banking details, may be escalated to the SASSA head office, which is the central administrative body responsible for overseeing the grant distribution process.

To find out more about Sassa grants, including the R350 grant and how to submit banking details, head to our Sassa section.