Social Grants From Sassa
The Sassa grant refers to a social assistance grant provided by the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) to eligible grant beneficiaries who are in need of financial assistance. Sassa grants are distributed under the Social Assistance Act. There are a number of Sassa grants available.
Social Relief of Distress Grant
Sassa offers the distress grant to individuals who are between the ages of 18 and 59, unemployed, and not already receiving some kind of government financial support.
According to Sassa, prospective Sassa R350 grant applicants may submit their Sassa application on the distress grant website on time for the government agency to be able to commence with its application process.
Whilst Sassa continues to administer various types of grants such as the child support grant, disability grants, and the old age grant (pension). The grants are means-tested, meaning that eligibility is based on the income and assets of the individual or the household.
The amount of the grant money will differ depending on the type of grant and the individual's circumstances.
The SRD grant is a very important relief measure for so many people as it provides a way to meet basic needs when times are difficult. It was extended to March 2024 and the Minister has said she wants it extended even further than that.
Sassa has made things as convenient as they can - you can check Sassa status online so you just need a phone to run a Sassa status check.
SRD Status Check
One of the social security benefits that vulnerable individuals have access to includes the Sassa R350 grant, which many individuals as long as they meet the eligibility requirements. After applying for a grant, applicants complete a SRD status check to check if Sassa approved their application.
The Sassa status check for SRD grants is easy to complete and can be done online on the Sassa website. You will get Sassa status pin to maintain security while you confirm you Sassa R350 grant status. Make sure you are always using the official Sassa website.
If your Sassa status is declined for one month you can always apply again for the following month.
How To Complete A Sassa SRD Status Check
Step 1: Visit the Sassa SRD grant website.
Step 2: Scroll down to the "Application status" section.
Step 3: Click on the link labelled "Click here to check online."
Step 4: Fill in the required fields as prompted.
Step 5: Once you have completed the necessary information, the status of your R350 grant application should be displayed.
Eligibility Criteria
The Sassa R350 Social Relief of Distress grant is available to those in need of financial aid - whether they be South African citizens in possession of a South African ID number, permanent residents, asylum seekers and special permit holders. So if you think you qualify for the Sassa SRD grant you should contact Sassa directly and tell them about your financial status.
Some of the Sassa grants have specific eligibility criteria and might require a Means Test. This is also the case for the SRD grant. In terms of the SRD grant, the applicant may not exceed the income threshold of R624.
Why Sassa Completes R350 Grant Verification Checks
To qualify for the SRD grant, there are strict rules beneficiaries need to meet so you can do a Sassa status check to make sure you qualify. You must be a citizen of South Africa and live within its borders. Permanent residence and special permit holders can receive the grant.
If you're already getting help from the South African government or any state group, you can't get a R350 grant. This includes things like money from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) or support from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). Also, you can't be fully taken care of by a government institution.
For the R350 grant, you can't have more than R624 in your bank account as "income". This means the money you have in your account. If you have more than R624, you won't be able to apply for the R350 grant. Your application will be turned down.
How Sassa Verifies R350 Grant Applications
Sassa uses a verification process to make sure that applicants meet the requirements for the SRD grant. This process involves working together with different government bodies, departments, and banks.
First, Sassa checks the identity numbers and citizenship status of applicants by collaborating with the Department of Home Affairs.
Next, the bank account details provided by the applicants are shared with the Department of Treasury. Then, these details are given to the bank chosen by the applicant. This is done to confirm the applicant's income.
It's important to know that the time it takes for the bank verification is not fixed.
The applicant's information is first sent to the Department of Treasury, and then it goes to the specific bank chosen by the applicant. After the bank finishes confirming the income, the information goes back to the Department of Treasury. Finally, this information is given to Sassa, which then helps to give out the grant payment.
What does 'Reapplication Pending' mean?
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The R350 grant has no set payment date, but Sassa has advised SRD grant beneficiaries to constantly check for their Sassa status.
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When submitting your SRD grant application status check, you might be questioning the Sassa SRD status that you have received.
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If you have received a Sassa status pending, this simply means that there was no reapplication that was received for the SRD grant.
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It is for this reason that you have been notified by the government agency of your 'Reapplication Pending' Sassa grant status
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After receiving your pending status, it is important that you know what is it that you need to do next.
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Sassa has emphasised that a pending application for the R350 grant should be submitted using the SRD Sassa website.
Why do a Sassa Status Check?
Why do you find that your friends and family will often stress 'check Sassa status' as one of the main things you must do?
Most of the many millions of payments made by Sassa are processed smoothly. However, there are times when there are problems and people are left wondering when they will get paid and what is their set payment date for the grant.
Doing a Sassa status check as a Sassa grant holder is important as it provides you with your set payment date to access your grant money and also your grant application outcome, especially if you continue to have a Sassa pending status
Sassa Status Online
If can be very inefficient and time consuming to have to visit a Sassa office when doing a Sassa status check for a Sassa grant. It is much simpler if you can do your SRD Status check online via the official sassa website when you have completed your Sassa grant application. There you can see your grant status and details on when you will get grant payments.
When you do the check, it can either be an SRD status check or a general Sassa status check.
How To Do a Sassa Status Check on the Website
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Go to apply online
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Enter your South African ID number and mobile number
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Click "Send SMS"
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Then enter the one-time pin (OTP) that Sassa has sent to the number for the status check.
As per the Sassa application process, qualifying individuals who will be either submitting a new application or reapplying have been urged to accept the declaration and consent.
Sassa has also advised grant beneficiaries to only submit one application instead of multiple applications unless the government agency hadn't recorded the online SRD grant application.
However, once an application has been successfully submitted, confirmation will be sent to the grant application as the application process has commenced.
This will be followed by Sassa sticking to its processing time of the grant applications so that they receive their grant application outcome on time.
Whilst the SRD grant requirements have been changed a few times, Sassa has become stricter in verifying grant applications.
Here's How Sassa Follows The Verification Process For SRD Grant Applications
Prior to an SRD grant application being approved, the government agency needs to follow its verification process.
According to SASSA, the SRD grant applicants ought to be aware that the agency does not only verify banking details through various financial institutions but also verifies citizenship.
When the applicant has successfully passed all verification, SASSA will approve the application and the status will be updated to 'approved'.
On the contrary, should the SRD application status state 'pending', it then indicates that the verification has not yet been finalised.
In the previous grant payment cycles, SRD grant beneficiaries have complained about delayed grant payment dates even after the grant application has been approved by the government agency.
Although most social grants have set payment dates, delays in their grant payment have been caused by grant beneficiaries not providing the correct bank account details.
Sassa explained that some of the issues that have surfaced include beneficiaries making mistakes when they enter their personal details, and some of them only choose the name of the financial institution where they want to get the grant when they enter their banking details.
Grant beneficiaries have been reminded to keep on checking their personal details to ensure that they are correct and the grant funds are received by the right person.
What A Sassa 'Pending' Status Means
Sassa has revealed that if you see "pending" on your application status, it means that your application has not yet been approved.
This is because Sassa is still in the process of scanning your details which they will need to verify before you can be approved as an SRD grant beneficiaries.
Approved R350 Grant Status
If your SRD application is approved, you will receive an SMS from SASSA requesting your bank details. Sassa will use these banking details to pay your money each month, so it is important that you make sure you provide the correct banking information, contact and personal details.
The details on when you will receive payments will not be made available if your grant status is still in Pending. You must make sure that they have the correct banking details on file for you but you won't be able to see an exact pay date.
Sassa Payment Status
Sassa payment status refers to whether or not your Sassa grant application was successful. A grant beneficiary can complete a sassa status check online to seek if their grant application status is approved by Sassa. Sassa payment dates change each month and the dates for grant payments are communicated to beneficiaries monthly once identity verification is completed.
Sassa Grant Appeals
If you have applied and been rejected you can read our complete guide on how to make a grant appeal to Sassa.
When you want to check your appeal status we are here to help you with a comprehensive guide to the Sassa appeal process.
There is also a video with details on the Sassa appeal process.
Once you have submitted your appeal to Sassa you need to make sure that you check on the status of your appeal.
Sassa R350 Grant Pay Date
The special R350 grant does not have a fixed payment date. However, the grant payment agency has revealed a new payment strategy for the grant.
When Are R350 Grants Paid
Sassa verifies grant applications monthly to ensure R350 grant beneficiary still meet the eligibility criteria for the R350 grant.
These verification checks take some time as Sassa collaborates with several government entities to verify information submitted by the grant applicant.
Once Sassa is satisfied that the applicant still meets the strict eligibility requirements for the R350 grant, they will notify the grant beneficiary via message when their R350 grant payment is available for collection. This SMS notification will likely only be made during the last week.
Sassa plans to pay R350 grants around the last week of every month as this is when the grant application verification checks is complete for sassa grants.
Don't forget that you can always run a Sassa payment status check online to confirm when your payment will arrive.
You can check Sassa status online by visiting the official Sassa website as this is the best way to check your payment status.
If the website is busy you may see the message Sassa status check pending. If your Sassa status check failed you can try again in a few hours.
The Social Relief grant is the only one which is reassessed each month, as it depends on how much money the beneficiary receives in their bank account each month - that is, the income status. You can keep checking until you see 'Sassa status approved'.
Sassa SRD Grant Banking Details
If you need to change your Sassa banking details - including banking details for your SRD grant we have all the details for you. As the grant is re-approved every month you need to make sure that your banking details with Sassa are correct or your grant won't be paid. The bank account must be in your own name as grants can't be paid into someone else's account. You'll find all the details in our Sassa banking details FAQ. You can also view our video on how to check your Sassa grant status.
Important Information About SRD Sassa Payment Dates
It's important to note that while Sassa indicates when R350 grants may have been paid to beneficiaries, they may have to wait a few days before they can begin using their money. This is because funds take a few days to reflect in the applicants bank account.
During pay week clients are encouraged to view their status on the SRD website for the exact date that the payment will be made into their bank accounts.
Sassa grant funds will take about 2 - 3 working days to reflect in the applicants bank account after the SRD grant payment has been processed.
Frequently Asked Questions About The SRD R350 Grant
1. What is the SASSA SRD R350 grant?
The SRD grant is a special Social Relief of Distress grant of R350 per month provided by SASSA for individuals who are in dire need of financial assistance due to the impact of unemployment and other hardships.
2. Who is eligible for the SRD grant?
To be eligible, individuals must be between 18 and 60 years old, not be receiving any other social grants, unemployment insurance benefits, or stipends from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, and have no other source of income.
3. How do I apply for the SASSA SRD grant?
Applications can be submitted through the SASSA SRD website, WhatsApp line, or USSD service. You'll need to provide your ID number, contact details, and address.
4. What documents do I need to apply for the SRD grant?
A valid South African ID and proof of address are the primary documents required. Additional documentation may be requested to prove your financial status.
5. How long does the SRD grant last?
The SRD grant is typically provided on a month-to-month basis, and the duration of its availability can be subject to government announcements and available funding.
6. Can I apply for the SRD grant if I am unemployed but receiving a pension?
No, if you are receiving any other social grant, including a pension, you are not eligible for the SRD grant.
7. How will I know if my SRD grant application is approved?
SASSA will notify applicants of the outcome of their application via SMS or you can check the status online on the SASSA SRD website.
8. How and when do I receive my SRD grant payment?
Payments are made monthly through the method you selected during application, which can include bank transfer, cash send, or collection at a post office.
9. What should I do if my SRD grant application is rejected?
If your application is rejected, you have the right to appeal the decision. Information on the appeals process is available on the SASSA website.
10. Can I reapply for the SRD grant if my financial situation changes?
Yes, if your financial circumstances change and you become eligible, you can reapply for the SRD grant.
