WWW SRD SASSA GOV ZA : Changing Your Sassa R350 Grant Payment Method

More than 10 million people are currently benefiting from the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, however not every beneficiary has been paid. 

The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) is calling on grant beneficiaries to change their grant payment method. This is due to issues related to the cash send payment option, which many individuals and families make use of.

Sassa explained:

The cash send option is not yet available, as it is offered by the banks and Sassa is still finalising contracting with the banks.

In order to access your SRD grant money, which consists of R350 distributed on a monthly basis to South Africans who meet the eligibility criteria, Sassa has advised beneficiaries to choose to collect their money at the Post Office or have the money paid directly into their bank accounts.

Here’s How To Change Your R350 grant payment method

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to change your social grant payment method:

1. Go to srd.sassa.gov.za 
2. Scroll to 'How do I change my banking details'
3. Submit your ID Number
4. An SMS containing a secure link, unique to you, will be sent to the mobile phone number with which you registered during application
5. Click on the link in the SMS
6. Follow the instructions carefully

It's important to note that Sassa will not pay your grant money into another person's banking account. This means you must provide your own personal bank account details.

Sassa Spokesperson, Paseka Letsatsi, says the number of outstanding payments have been reduced to around 110 000 unpaid beneficiaries.

He adds that Sassa is very close to an agreement with the banks to ensure that those people who chose the Cash Send option receive all the money that is due to them.

We just want to reconfirm if I have to make this point that even if March has to come and we have to shut down, we will never close down until the last person is paid the last cent.

It is important to keep the details you provided to Sassa for your application up-to-date; you can update your information online, via Sassa's website.

The R350 grant was scheduled to come to an end in March 2022, but has been extended several times, and there has been talks of introducing a universal Basic Income Grant (BIG) as well.

The Social Relief of Distress grant was initially created and introduced as a temporary form of relief during the Covid-19 pandemic, which saw many individuals and families across the country struggle without financial support as a result of the lockdowns and other Covid-19 restrictions. 

WWW SRD SASSA GOV ZA

How to apply for the SRD (R350) grant 

1. Visit the SRD grant website

2. Click on 'click here to apply on online'
3. Enter you mobile phone number and click 'send SMS'
4. A One Time Pin (OTP) will be sent to the number you provided
5. Enter the OTP
6. Confirm and accept the Clauses in the Declaration and Consent documents
7. Enter your personal details
8. Provide your mobile number, employment information and lifestyle sustainability information
9. Provide your banking details
10. Follow the prompts to complete your application

Alternatively you can also apply for the Sassa grant through Whatsapp.

What are the R350 grant requirements and do you meet the criteria?

• Must be unemployed
• Must be a South African citizen, permanent resident, refugee, 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
• Must be between 18 and 59 years old
• Must live within the borders of South Africa
• Must e registered on the Home Affairs database or Sassa's social grant database for individuals without ID documents
• Must not live in a government Institution or subsidised institution
• Must not be receiving Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) benefits or National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) support or any other social grants distributed by Sassa

So if you fall under this category of grant recipients but have not applied, here is how you can go about doing so. The application form for Sassa grants can be filled out online. 

However, please note that while you may meet the eligibility requirements, your Social Relief of Distress grant application may be rejected. Sassa will let you know why your application was rejected, and if you disagree, you can apply for an appeal.

An appeal application is what a Sassa grant applicant can submit if they want their grant application reassessed, if it was rejected the first time. Essentially, an appeal is like a second chance for your application to be approved and for you to become a recipient of the R350 grant.

Be careful to provide factual information along with your application, as the Department of Social Development (DSD) and the Department of Home Affairs will be double checking all the details you provide.

Where and how to submit a R350 grant appeal

Sassa advises that an appeal must be submitted within 90 days of being rejected, as failure to do so will invalidate your appeal. 

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

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.

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. 

Where To Collect Your Sassa Grant

Sassa has made it clear that beneficiaries should not rush to withdraw their Sassa payment on the first day it becomes available and to remember that once the money has been sent to their accounts, it will remain there until they need it. 

There is no need to rush to withdraw cash on the first day. Once the money is in the account, it will remain there until it is needed. 

In addition, there are a few ways beneficiaries can collect their grants. These include:

Bank Account 

Permanent grant beneficiaries and SRD recipients 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 payment was made by Sassa. 

Retail outlets

Sassa grants are paid to selected retailers around the country. The vast geographical footprint of retail outlets makes it easy for grant recipients to find one close to where they live.

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.

Mobile Cash Pay Points 

There are also mobile cash pay points where grant beneficiaries can collect their money. However, this is not a flexible payment option and beneficiaries may only collect their grant payment for a few hours during a grant payment cycle.

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 about Sassa grants 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, head to our Sassa section.