SASSA SRD R350 Grant – A Complete Guide to Application, Eligibility, Payments, and Much More
The SASSA has released the Social Relief of Distress Grant (SRD R350 Grant) to provide financial assistance to South African citizens. It was mainly started during the period of covid-19. This grant was a great support to the unemployed people and families who were unable to fulfill their basic needs.
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is a government agency responsible for the administration of different social grants that provide survival funds to South African people. This SRD program was confirmed in the regulations made under section 27(2) of the Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002): measures to prevent and combat the spread of COVID-19, as amended.
This grant provides financial assistance of R350 per month to individuals who are currently unemployed and do not receive any form of income, social grant, or UIF payment. In this guide, we will explain the complete registration and application process for the SASSA SRD 350 grant.
The SASSA SRD Grant Eligibility Criteria
Though this grant is provided as financial assistance, it’s not for everyone. The SASSA has set the eligibility criteria for this grant. So to apply for this grant, you have to fulfill the eligibility criteria and verify if you qualify for the grant. The eligibility criteria are as follows –
Essential Documents and Information Required to Apply for SRD R350 Grant
Once you fulfill the eligibility criteria, you have to verify your eligibility by providing certain information and documents to SASSA. You will need this information and documents while you apply for this grant.
As you are providing your details to SASSA, it’s important to take your consent. You will have to sign a declaration and consent to your information being validated and shared with other organizations and financial institutions such as SARS and banks. You can download the Declaration and Consent from the official website. You need to provide the following information and documents –
These are the documents and information required to fill out your SASSA SRD application form. Make sure you gather these all before you apply. And it’s always recommended to stay updated regarding the latest SASSA news. If any new document is required then you will be able to provide it.
How to apply for SASSA SRD R350 grant – A complete process:
The application process for the SRD grant is very straightforward. You just need a computer or mobile phone with an active internet connection to apply for this grant online. Follow this step-by-step guide to complete the application process.
Step 1) Choose the application method
The SASSA provides different ways to apply for the SRD grant. You can register for this grant via WhatsApp, the SASSA chatbot, or the official SASSA website. Use any of the methods given to apply. Don’t submit multiple applications through different methods. It will not help in any way.
Apply Online Through the SASSA official website
- Visit the SASSA official website at https://srd.sassa.gov.za/
- Now navigate to the “How do I apply for this SRD grant” section and select the “click here to apply online” button.
- Enter your cell phone number. As stated earlier, the number should be active and registered in your name.
- Now, click on the “send SMS” button.
- You will receive a 6-digit OTP code on your provided mobile number.
- Insert that OTP code on the website and click on “Verify Pin”.
- Continue to the below step 2
Apply Through the SASSA Chatbot
- Go to the SASSA official website.
- You will see the “SRD R350 Grant Assistance” chatbot located on the right side of the website page.
- Provide your ID number and mobile number to the chatbot.
- You will get different options. Select the option “I want to apply for the SRD R350 grant”.
- You will get the link to the SRD website.
- Continue to the below step 2
Apply using Whatsapp
- First, save the SRD official Whatsapp number 082 046 8553 in your contacts.
- Send a message “Apply SRD” to the saved number.
- The available agent will chat with you. Provide the personal information asked in the chat.
- Now you will receive an OTP code, a reference number, and the SRD website link in the chat.
- Open the given link, Enter the OTP, and click on “verify OTP”.
- Provide your details like SA ID number, name, and surname.
- Confirm your details
- Continue from the below step 2
Step 2) – Agree to the Terms & Conditions
Before you proceed to fill out the application form, you have to accept the consent to the declaration. You should read the given declaration and understand it before you choose Yes or No. If you select ‘NO’ to the declaration then the application process will be terminated and you can’t proceed. If you agree to the consent and declaration then select ‘YES’, and the application form will open up.
Step 3) Fill Your Personal Information
Once you get the access to application form, you have to enter the following details –
- Your SA ID number as a proof of citizenship
- Your full name and surname as per the Identity document
- Gender
- Residential address
- Your contact details such as mobile number and email
- Your disability status (If any)
- Your employment status and Financial information
You should have all this information with you. Don’t provide any false information, if you do then it’s punishable by law. You have already agreed to this T&C.
Step 4) – Select Your Payment Method (SASSA Banking Details)
This SRD 350 grant is paid monthly and that’s why you have to apply for the grant every month. In the past application, you might have already selected the payment method. If you are a new applicant or existing one who wants to change payment methods then let’s explore the available options.
New Applicants
If you are applying first time for this grant, then you will see these two payment options –
- Bank Account
- Cash Send
1) Bank Account –
If you want to get paid the grant money directly into your bank account, then you have to select this option. You can’t add another person’s bank account. The account should be registered in your name only. Otherwise, the grant will not be paid. You have to provide the following details –
- Bank Name
- Branch Name
- Account Number
- Account Type
Agree to the terms and conditions and then click on submit.
2) Cash Send –
If you want to receive your money in the cash mode then select this payment method. For the cash-send method, you have to provide your cell phone number. As said earlier, the mobile number should be registered in your name. If not, then your grant will be canceled. This method includes post office branches, Pick n Pay, Shoprite, etc.
- Enter your registered mobile number
- Agree to the terms and conditions and click on submit.
Existing Applicants
If you are an existing applicant and want to change the payment method, then you can choose from any of the given two methods. If you were using a bank account method and now want to change to cash send or vice versa, you can do both. You can read about how to change bank details on SASSA.
Step 5) – Submit Your Application
Once you confirm your payment method, then you are ready to apply. It’s important to fill in all the mandatory details before you submit the application. Double-check your information and then click on submit. You will get a 6-digit application ID after submitting this application. Save this application ID to track your application and for communication with SASSA.
Step 6) – SASSA verification process
Your SASSA SRD R350 grant application is now submitted and live on the portal. All work from your side is done. SASSA has received your application. Now they will validate and verify your information from their side.
- They will verify your details like name, surname, ID, and others with the Department of Home Affairs.
- The SASSA will verify your employment status and financial sources from other agencies like NSFAS, UIF, and SARS.
- Verify your bank details and mobile number with the fraud prevention partners.
Once the verification process is completed by SASSA, they will either approve or decline your application based on verification. SASSA status check can be done via the official portal. If your application is approved then you will receive the grant. If your application is rejected and you think it’s an injustice to you then you can appeal to SASSA regarding your application.
How to Apply for an SASSA SRD grant using the SMS method?
If you are not having access to the internet and want to apply for the SRD grant using your smartphone, then it is possible. Simply dial the USSD code 1347737# and you can follow the steps given in the below video.
How to check the SRD grant status?
Once you have successfully applied for the SRD grant then you should track the application status. It’s important to know if your application is approved or declined. If your application is approved then you can know the status of payment dates. There are various ways to check SASSA grant status. You can track it via –
Reapplication Process for SRD R350 Grant
The reapplication process should be done by the applicants who were previously eligible for the SRD grant but missed their initial application duration or applicants whose grant period expired. The process is not different, it is similar to the initial application process. You have to provide the same personal details on the SASSA website like –
- Your name and surname
- Contact details
- ID number
- Bank account details
After reapplication, SASSA again reviews your application and if it is approved, you will start receiving the grant money from next month. You can check the status.
How to reconsider your SRD R350 grant application
If your initial grant application is declined by the SASSA then you can request SASSA to review your application a second time again. This process is known as reconsideration. If you think your application is rejected without any reason then you have the right to apply for reconsideration. Before you apply for reconsideration, check your personal information again and verify if it is right or not. You can only apply once for reconsideration. There are two ways to apply for reconsideration –
- Apply on the SASSA official website
- Contact SASSA on Toll-Free No: 0800-60-10-11
How to Lodge an appeal for SASSA SRD R350 Grant
If your application is rejected even after reconsideration and you are still not satisfied with the result then you can lodge an appeal to the Independent Tribunal For Social Assistance Appeals (ITSAA) against this decision. You have 30 days to appeal after the notification is received, but it should not exceed 90 days. You have to provide the following details to appeal –
- Your name
- Contact details
- SASSA reference number
- You have to provide the reason why your application is rejected and the supporting documents to it as proof.
You can appeal – at srd.dsd.gov.za/appeals/appeal. If your application is approved by ITSAA then SASSA’s decision will be overturned and you will start to receive the grant payment. If your appeal is declined then you will be notified. Even after this, if you are not satisfied with the result then you can file a complaint in the High Court and take help.
How does the SASSA grant payment process work?
If your application is approved by SASSA then you will start receiving the payment from the date you applied. The grant payment dates are released by the SASSA at the end of every month. The SASSA payment dates schedule is not fixed.
As seen above, you can get paid this grant via two methods –
IMP – The SASSA had also declared the post offices as a cash collection point for the SRD grant, but this method is no longer.
How to cancel your SRD R350 Grant application
Due to any reason, whether your financial situation is now good or you got a job. If you want to cancel your SRD 350 grant application then you can do so. If it is already approved then you have to appeal to SASSA to cancel your application.
Before you cancel your application, please check its status. If the application status is inactive then you don’t need to cancel the application. But if it is active then you can cancel it at any time using the following method –
How to reinstate the canceled SRD R350 Grant application?
To reinstate your application means, requesting the SASSA for reactivation of your canceled grant application. As we saw above, due to employment or any other financial reason you decided to cancel the SRD grant application. But later on because of the changed circumstances you want to reinstate your canceled application. You can reinstate it using the following steps –
How to Update SRD Grant contact details?
If your contact details are changed then it’s important to update these details in the SASSA portal as soon as possible to avoid any interruption in receiving the grant payment. Generally, the changes can be seen within 24 hours after the update. Follow the given steps to update the contact details –
You can also change the banking details for the SRD grant. The process is different for South African citizens and Asylum Seekers or Special Permit Holders.
How to update the name and surname for the SRD R350 grant?
If your name is incorrect on your SA ID document then you can request for its update. If your name is changed or it’s incorrect then first update it on the ID document. The SASSA allows users to update their name and surname on the portal once a month.
Before you update the details, check if your details on the smart ID document or Green ID document are the same or not. If everything is ok then you can proceed to update the name and surname.
Your updated personal details will again be verified with the Department of Home Affairs database. Once the verification is completed you will receive the SMS notification from SASSA.
SASSA SRD R350 Grant Extension
The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant was introduced in May 2020 to help South African citizens who were struggling financially because of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, many people faced a financial crisis because of unemployment. This grant provided a great relief to the South African people.
Initially, it was decided to pay this grant for six months only. But it has been extended by the government multiple times. As per the last update, the government is going to pay SRD grants till March 2024. However, it can be extended further.
Policy for SRD grant period
As per the government policy, the Social Relief of Distress grant is paid monthly for a maximum of 3 months. Usually, there is no further extension. But in rare cases, if someone is unable to meet the basic needs then this grant can be extended for a further 3 months.
