The Sassa grant refers to a financial assistance grant provided by the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) to eligible individuals who are in need of financial support.
The grants are intended to provide assistance to individuals who are unable to support themselves or their families due to poverty, disability or old age and help vulnerable individuals afford basic goods and services.
The social security benefits are paid under the Social Assistance Act depending on financial status of the applicant.
Social Relief of Distress Grant
Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant has become a safety net for thousands of South Africans. It offers financial assistance to the amount of R350 per month to those aged 18-59 who have no other source of income.
Sassa SRD Application and Verification
When looking to apply for the SRD grant, most people will think about going to their nearest Sassa office. However, you can also make use of the official Sassa website. If you run into any problems you will find the Sassa cell phone number on the website.
When you have applied for the Sassa grant you will need to do a Sassa status check to see what your application status is. The Sassa SRD status check online is easy to perform.
Sassa will have to verify your cellphone number that you used to apply, as well as your ID number to make sure that you quality for the funding.
The next step that is taken when verifying SRD grant applications is banking details verification. Some applicants have complained that this process seems to be taking a while to which Sassa responded.
Bank Account Problems
An applicant took to social media to express their dissatisfaction with Sassa by saying that the process of banking details verification has now taken a week telling Sassa, "Do you not grasp the sense of urgency? Why are we not made a priority? Seeing as how you put the cart before the horse?".
To this, SASSA said:
The process of bank verification does not have a set timeframe.
The way in which this banking details process works is that the applicant's details are sent to the department of Treasury and to the specific bank chosen by the applicant. One of the checks on your application status is to consult the Home Affairs database before the monthly payments can start.
Once the details are verified, it then goes back to Treasury and thereafter, it's handed over to Sassa so that payment can occur using the banking details given.
All this happens to your Sassa grants application status even before any money appears in your bank account. All of the major financial institutions participate in the programme.
This is why the Sassa status check is so important as all this happens before the bank mobile money transfer can take place.
There is the option to collect your social relief grant in person but it is simpler to have it paid into your bank account using the banking details given. Sassa grants are linked to your ID number and cell phone number.
Srd.sassa.gov.za banking details
Should you be seeing a ‘Bank details pending' as you do a Sassa R350 grant status check, this means that your application, or reapplication, has been received, however, you haven't submitted banking details or preferences for how your R350 grant payment should be made.
When will payment be made? With the R350 grant there is no specific grant payment date.
So, what do you need to do then? All you need to do is to check your personal details and submit your banking details using the Sassa SRD website.
How To Submit Your Banking Details Via The Sassa Website
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Go to srd.sassa.gov.za
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Submit personal details such as your ID Number.
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An SMS containing a secure link will be sent to the mobile phone number with which you registered during application.
Payment Dates
Sassa has repeatedly said that there is no set R350 grant payment date and that beneficiaries will be paid for the months that you qualify.
So you need to check your social relief of distress grant application status to make sure that everything is working well. Your Sassa SRD balance status becomes very important in accessing your grant payments.
When you view your social relief of distress grant information online using your personal details, you will see your Sassa status.
The Sassa payment status will also give you details on when your payment will be made, or more information on why your grant payments have not been made.
Overall, SASSA has played an important role in providing social support to vulnerable members of society in South Africa, and ongoing efforts are being made to improve its effectiveness and efficiency.
How To Cancel Your SASSA R350 Grant Application:
If for any reason you would like to cancel your relief of distress grant you can do so by visiting the Sassa SRD website.
Step 1: Go to the Sassa SRD website: srd.sassa.gov.za/
Step 2: Scroll down to the Cancel my Application tab.
Step 3: Click on the yellow button which says 'click here to cancel online'.
Step 4: Provide your ID number and mobile number, then click 'send pin'.
Step 5: You will receive an SMS with a 6 digit One Time Pin (OTP) number.
Step 6: Client must insert the OTP number on the required field to verify the pin.
Step 7: Then click 'cancel my grant'.
Step 8: A message will pop up to ask if the applicant is sure about the cancellation of the grant.
Step 9: Click yes to continue with the cancellation or click no to discard.
What is Sassa?
Sassa is the short name for the South African Social Security Agency which manages grants and allowances for grant recipients in South African society needing financial assistance. They fall under the Social Development Department and the law covering them is the Social Assistance Act.
The current Social Development Minister in the South African government is Lindiwe Zulu. This includes grants for children (The Child Support Grant), the older persons grants and disability grants. SASSA also manages the R350 SRD Grant which is more formally known as the Special Relief of Distress Grant.
Sassa Contact Details
Do you want to contact the South African Social Security Agency? If you're trying to find the SASSA contact number or SASSA contact details for SASSA grant enquiries, or the SASSA website or SASSA Twitter, click here.
