The South African government is mandated to build a free, democratic, united, non-racial, and non-sexist country. It is also responsible for the welfare of all its citizens. Since some can afford basic needs in the country, the government offers SASSA grants to people from resource-poor settings. Discover the SASSA online application process and other details below.

The Social Relief of Distress Grant, commonly known as the SASSA grant, refers to the temporary assistance provided to people in dire need. The grant provides basic needs for families that cannot do so independently. It is given to South African citizens and/ or permanent residents who meet the criteria.

SASSA grant 2023: What is it?

The South African Social Security Agency was formed in 2004 by the parliament. Its primary aim is to ensure effective management, administration and payment of various grant programmes.

The President signed the Act of parliament on 28 May 2004. The grant is given monthly for a maximum period of three months. In some cases, an extension of three months may be granted.

Usually, the grant is issued as a food parcel or a food voucher. In some provinces, assistance is given in the form of cash.

Following the COVID-19 outbreak, the government developed a special Covid 19 Social Relief of Distress Grant (SRD). People who met the criteria received R350 per month for six months.

Guide for SASSA online application 2023

There are various ways of applying for this grant. To apply online;

• Visit the SASSA website.
• Scroll down to the "How do I apply for this SRD Grant" section.
• Tap "click here to apply online."
• Enter your phone number.
• Click "Send SMS"
• The SASSA R350 grant application online team will contact you and give you further instructions on how to complete the process.

Is there an online SASSA R350 grant application option?

Please note that SASSA is still improving its online services platform. Therefore, regular social relief of distress grants can only be applied via hardcopy forms available at SASSA offices. The new online platform's launch date is 1 November 2022. To use the new online platform, all clients (existing and new) are required to re-register/ register.

Those whose applications were returned due to incomplete document(s) will be allowed to upload their outstanding document(s) for further processing during this period of switching over to the new platform.

Applicants are given until 14 October 2022 to submit outstanding document(s). Those who did not submit the outstanding documents will be required to reapply on the new online platform.

All applications that still need to be finalized (i.e. saved applications or applications that failed DHA or Bank validations) will have to be resubmitted on the new online platform.

How to apply for the SASSA grant via WhatsApp

Send a message to WhatsApp number 082 046 8553. The SASSA R350 grant application online team will provide the following:

• The necessary details.
• An OTP number.
• A reference number.
• A website link where you should apply.

Upon clicking the link, you must insert the OTP number and click on the verify option. You will need to provide your surname and identification number. You should countercheck the details to ensure they are correct before agreeing to the terms and conditions.

How to apply for the SASSA R350 grant at a SASSA local office

You can still visit your nearest SASSA local office for assistance if you need any SASSA services. Follow the steps below.

• Get SASSA grant application forms at the nearest SASSA office.
• Fill out the forms and attach the required documents.
• The required documents will prove that you meet the SASSA grant application criteria.

Other ways to apply for an R350 grant

• USSD: Click *134*7737# on your phone and follow the steps.
• Call centre IVR: 0800 60 10 11
• Email: SRD@sassa.gov.za

What documents do I need to apply for SASSA grant?

Before applying, ensure you attach copies of the following.

If the above documents are missing, you can use the following:

• An affidavit commissioned by a Justice of the Peace indicating that you will be prosecuted if you provide incorrect information.
• A sworn statement by a reputable person who knows you and your children (e.g. minister of religion, traditional leader, or social worker).
• Evidence that you have applied for a birth certificate or identity document with the Department of Home Affairs.
• A road-to-health clinic card.
• A baptismal certificate.
• A school report.

SRD grant application criteria for adults

Before submitting your SASSA application for R350, you must meet the following criteria.

• Must be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee registered with the Home Affairs Department.
• Must be above 18 years of age.
• Must be a resident within the borders of the Republic of South Africa.
• Must be unemployed and not receiving any income.
• Must not be receiving any social grant.
• Must not be a resident in a government-funded or subsidised institution.
• Must not be receiving any other government COVID-19 response support.
• Must not be receiving a stipend from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme.
• Must not be receiving any unemployment insurance benefit and must not qualify for the unemployment insurance benefit.
• Applicant must be awaiting payment of an approved social grant.
• Applicant must have been found medically unfit to undertake remunerative work for fewer than six months.
• The breadwinner in the applicant's family has passed away, and the application is made within three months of the date of demise.
• The breadwinner of the applicant's family has been admitted to an institution funded by the state.
• The applicant is disaster victim as defined in the Disaster Management Act.
• The applicant is not receiving assistance from any other organization.

Criteria for SASSA online application for child grant

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Both the applicant and the child must reside in South Africa.
• The primary caregiver must be a South African citizen, permanent resident or refugee.
• The child/children must be born after 31 December 1993.
• The applicant must be the primary caregiver of the child/ children concerned.
• A child can not apply for more than six non-biological children.
• The applicant and spouse must meet the requirements of the means test.
• A child must not be under the care of a state institution.

Information required from SASSA applicants

The information required to process the R350 grant is listed below.

• Identity number
• Name and surname as captured in the identity card and the initials
• Gender and disability
• Bank name and account number
• Mobile phone number
• Proof of residential address
• Employment information and lifestyle sustainability information

Other important details about the SASSA grant application

Other things you should know about the R350 grant are listed below.

• Paper applications are unacceptable.
• You do not need to scan the supporting documents.
• The SASSA grant applications are free.
• Applications are processed immediately.
• If you meet all requirements, you will receive a food parcel, voucher or cash, even if you do not have all documents. However, you must present all the documents to the relevant officials before the second payment is due. If you fail to do this, you may not get your second and third month’s assistance.
• Payments are effected via the channel of your choice, and you can change the channel details.
• If you do not have a bank account, a money transfer can be used.
• The agency only requests your banking information after the application has been approved.
• All beneficiaries and applicants should never disclose their PIN or CVV numbers on the back of the banking cards for private security purposes.

How do I know if my SASSA R350 is approved?

Conduct a SASSA R350 grant application status check using these steps:

• Visit the official SASSA website and log in.
• Look for the "Click here to check online" link under "My Application Status" (in Social Relief of Distress Grant.)
• Enter your South African ID number and cellphone number.
• Click "Submit."
• If it is approved, you will see "Payday" status. Click on it to see the pay date.

SASSA grant payment dates

Following public outcry about the SRD payment dates, SASSA announced that all R350 payments for people who successfully appliedwill be disbursed from the second day of the month, starting April 2022.

Therefore, all active SRD R350 grant applications or reapplications made since April 2022 will automatically be considered for each month until March 2023. Existing applicants can update their responses to the screening questionnaire available on the SASSA website

SASSA grant enquiries

If you have further questions, you can reach the relevant officials using these contacts:

SASSA Head Office

• Email address: GrantEnquiries@sassa.gov.za
• Telephone: 012 400 2322 (Switchboard)/ 0800 60 10 11

Gauteng

• Email addresses: ThembaMat@sassa.gov.za/ GrantsEnquiriesGP@sassa.gov.za
• Telephone: 011 241 8320
• Fax: 011 241 8305

Limpopo

• Email addresses: ZodwaMv@sassa.gov.za/ GrantsEnquiriesLIM@sassa.gov.za/ CustomerCareLim@sassa.gov.za
• Telephone: 015 291 7509
• Fax: 015 291 7416

Free State

• Email addresses: MohodiT@sassa.gov.za/ GrantsEnquiriesFS@sassa.gov.za
• Telephone: 051 410 8339
• Fax: 051 409 0862

KwaZulu Natal

• Email addresses: SimlindileJ@sassa.gov.za/ GrantsEnquiriesKZN@sassa.gov.za
• Telephone: 033 846 3400
• Fax: 033 846 9595

Mpumalanga

• Email addresses: ThembaMat@sassa.gov.za/ GrantsEnquiriesMP@sassa.gov.za
• Telephone: 013 754 9446
• Fax: 013 754 9501

North West

• Email addresses: ZodwaMv@sassa.gov.za/ sassanwqueries@net1.com/ GrantsEnquiriesNW@sassa.gov.za
• Telephone: 018 388 4006
• Fax: 086 611 9740

Northern Cape

• Email addresses: MohodiT@sassa.gov.za/ LindaD@sassa.gov.za
• Telephone: 053 802 4919
• Fax: 053 832 5229

Eastern Cape

• Email addresses: OscarM1@sassa.gov.za/ GrantsEnquiriesEC@sassa.gov.za/ ECCustomerCare@sassa.gov.za/ FeliciaWi@sassa.gov.za
• Telephone: 043 707 6335
• Fax: 043 707 6487

Western Cape

• Email addresses: AbrahamM@sassa.gov.za/ GrantsEnquiriesWC@sassa.gov.za
• Telephone: 021 469 0235
• Fax: 021 469 0260

No one is immune to life's challenges. In South Africa, the SASSA grant applications come to the rescue of people without access to basic needs in life. The relief programme has assisted many households that meet the specified criteria. Please note that the SASSA online application platform is being upgraded and will be open from 1 November 2022.

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