Updated April 2026

SASSA R370 Application Online 2026
How to Apply for the SRD Grant

Everything you need — eligibility, how to apply, status check, appeal process and payment dates. Plain language, no fluff.

🗓ī¸ Last updated: 23 April 2026 ✅ Verified against srd.sassa.gov.za 📍 South Africa

A young South African woman smiles with relief while completing her SASSA R370 grant application online on her smartphone at home
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ℹī¸ What Is the SASSA SRD Grant?

R370
per month — Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant Paid by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) to unemployed South Africans aged 18–59. The grant runs until at least March 2027 and was confirmed by President Ramaphosa at the February 2026 State of the Nation Address to continue indefinitely.

The SASSA Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant — often called the R350 grant, though it increased to R370 per month in October 2023 — is a monthly cash payment for people who have no income and cannot support themselves. It covers South African citizens, permanent residents, refugees and asylum seekers.

Unlike other SASSA grants, your eligibility for the SRD grant is checked automatically every month against government databases including Home Affairs, UIF, SARS and NSFAS. You do not need to reapply each month, but you can be approved one month and declined the next if your financial situation changes.

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New for 2026: The SRD grant is being redesigned to link with job-seeking activities and skills development programmes. Your payments continue uninterrupted, but new requirements are expected to roll out during 2026.

✅ Who Qualifies for the SASSA SRD R370 Grant?

Before you apply, make sure you meet all of these requirements. SASSA verifies them every month using government databases — not just when you first apply.

You must meet ALL of these:

Age: 18–59 years old If you are 60 or older, apply for the Old Age Grant instead.
South African Resident You must be a citizen, permanent resident, refugee or an asylum seeker with a valid permit.
Unemployed with no income You must be unemployed. Any income must be below R624 per month.
South African bank account You need a bank account to receive payments.
Active South African SIM card SASSA contacts you via SMS on the number you register with.

You are NOT eligible if:

❌ Receiving another SASSA grant Old Age, Disability, Foster Care, etc. (Child Support Grant recipients may still apply.)
❌ Receiving UIF payments Once UIF ends, you can apply if you meet the other criteria.
❌ Receiving an NSFAS stipend National Student Financial Aid Scheme funding disqualifies you.
❌ Earning more than R624/month SASSA checks your bank account — even a once-off deposit can cause a decline.
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Watch out: A once-off payment (like a refund or a gift) that pushes your account above R624 in any given month can trigger an automatic decline for that month. You can appeal this — see the appeal section below.

📋 How to Apply for the SASSA SRD Grant in 2026

The SASSA SRD application is 100% online — you never need to visit a SASSA office. There are three ways to apply:

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Online Portal

srd.sassa.gov.za — the official and most complete option

Recommended
đŸ’Ŧ
WhatsApp

Send "Hi" to 082 046 8553 and follow the prompts

Easy on mobile
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USSD

Dial *134*7737# — works on any phone, no data needed

No data required

Step-by-Step: Online Application at srd.sassa.gov.za

1

Open the official SASSA SRD portal

Go to srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/application/auth on your phone or computer. Only use this official SASSA URL — do not use third-party sites.

2

Enter your cellphone number

Type in the South African mobile number you want linked to your application. This number will receive all SASSA updates via SMS — use a number you have regular access to.

3

Verify with a One-Time PIN (OTP)

SASSA sends an OTP to your cellphone. Enter it on the website to confirm your number. The OTP expires quickly, so do this immediately.

4

Accept the consent declaration

You grant SASSA permission to verify your details with Home Affairs, UIF, SARS, banks and other government databases. If you withdraw consent later, your application stops.

5

Enter your personal details

Fill in your 13-digit South African ID number, name, surname, and confirm the declaration that you meet all eligibility requirements. Refugees and asylum seekers use their permit number.

6

Add your banking details

Provide your bank account number, bank name and branch code. Payments are made directly into this account each month.

7

Submit and save your reference

Submit the form. You will receive a confirmation SMS. Save your reference number — you will need it to check your status.

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Beware of scams: SASSA will never ask you to pay a fee to process your application. Do not share your ID or banking details with unofficial websites or strangers offering to "apply for you."

🔍 How to Check Your SASSA SRD Application Status

Once you have applied, you can track your SASSA SRD application status at any time. Your status is updated monthly — check it after the 25th of each month.

1

Go to the SASSA status check page

Visit srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/status on any browser.

2

Enter your ID and cellphone number

Use the same cellphone number you registered with during your application.

3

Submit and read your status

Your status for each month will be displayed. You can also dial *120*3227# on any phone to check without data.

What Your Status Means

StatusWhat it meansWhat to do
PendingYour application is being verified against government databases.Wait — this can take 10–15 working days. Check back regularly.
ApprovedYour grant has been approved for that month.Payment will be deposited into your bank account on the payment date.
DeclinedYou did not qualify for that specific month.Check the reason shown and submit an appeal within 90 days.
Bank details pendingSASSA is verifying your banking information.Make sure your bank details are correct. Update them on the portal if needed.

đŸ’ŗ SASSA SRD Payment Dates 2026

SASSA releases SRD grant payment dates each month. Payments are typically made between the 24th and 28th of the month. SASSA deposits the R370 directly into your registered bank account — there is no need to collect from a store or ATM, though some beneficiaries do collect via SASSA-linked retail partners.

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Tip: Apply by the 15th of the month to be included in that month's payment run. Applications submitted after the 15th are processed in the following cycle.

Check the latest confirmed payment date at our SASSA payment dates page or visit srd.sassa.gov.za directly.

⚖ī¸ How to Appeal a Declined SASSA SRD Application

If your status shows Declined, do not panic. You have the legal right to appeal within 90 days of the declined month. Appeals are reviewed by the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals (ITSAA) — an independent body, not SASSA itself.

Common Reasons for Decline (and How to Appeal Each)

❌ Income above R624 detected Provide bank statements and an affidavit confirming the deposit was a once-off payment (e.g. a refund or gift), not regular income.
❌ UIF shown as active Get a letter from the Department of Labour confirming your UIF payments have ended.
❌ NSFAS records show funding Get confirmation from your institution or NSFAS that your funding has ended.
❌ Identity or data mismatch Visit your nearest Home Affairs office to correct your information, then resubmit your appeal.

How to Submit Your SASSA SRD Appeal

1

Find out the reason for decline

Check your status at srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/status — the specific reason is shown next to the declined month.

2

Open the SASSA appeals portal

Go to srd.sassa.gov.za/appeals. Enter your 13-digit ID number and the cellphone number you registered with.

3

Verify with your OTP

SASSA sends a PIN to your registered number. Enter it to access the appeals section.

4

Select the declined month and state your reason

Be specific — do not just say "I disagree." Explain clearly why the decline is incorrect. If multiple months were declined, submit a separate appeal for each one.

5

Upload supporting documents if required

For example: bank statements, an affidavit of unemployment, a UIF termination letter, or a letter from NSFAS.

6

Submit and save your reference number

Screenshot your submission confirmation. SASSA will SMS you to acknowledge receipt. ITSAA typically takes 60–90 days to review appeals. If approved, SASSA will back-pay the declined month(s).

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Important: Do not appeal and reapply for the same month at the same time — this can cause confusion in SASSA's system and delay processing. Also, you must appeal within 90 days of the declined month, or your window closes.

🔄 How to Update Your SASSA SRD Details

If you change your phone number or bank account, update your details immediately on the SASSA SRD portal — otherwise your payments will be delayed or sent to the wrong account.

1

Go to srd.sassa.gov.za

Log in using your ID number and current registered cellphone number.

2

Select "Update Details"

Choose whether you want to update your banking details or phone number.

3

Verify and save

Confirm via OTP and submit. Changes may take up to one payment cycle to take effect.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Is the R350 grant still active in 2026?
Yes — the grant increased from R350 to R370 in October 2023 and is still active. President Ramaphosa confirmed at the February 2026 State of the Nation Address that it will continue indefinitely, with redesigned requirements tied to job-seeking activities expected later in 2026.
Do I need to reapply every month?
No. Once you have applied and been approved, SASSA automatically checks your eligibility every month. You do not need to reapply unless your registration has lapsed or you were specifically asked to resubmit information.
Can I apply if I receive the Child Support Grant?
Yes. Parents receiving the Child Support Grant can still apply for the SRD grant. It is the only other SASSA grant that does not automatically disqualify you from the SRD.
What is the SASSA SRD application ID?
Your SASSA SRD application ID is your 13-digit South African ID number. This is the primary identifier used across all SASSA systems — for applications, status checks, appeals and payment verification.
How do I apply for R370 for the first time?
Go to srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/application/auth, enter your cellphone number, verify the OTP, complete the consent declaration, fill in your personal and banking details, and submit. Alternatively dial *134*7737# or send "Hi" to 082 046 8553 on WhatsApp.
What if I lost my phone number for the SRD application?
Visit srd.sassa.gov.za and use the "Update Phone Number" option. You will need to verify your identity. If you cannot access the portal, visit your nearest SASSA office with your ID document for assistance.
How do I check the status of my SRD application?
Go to srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/status, enter your ID number and registered cellphone number, and click Submit. You can also dial *120*3227# on any phone — no data required.
Is the SRD grant going to be replaced by the Basic Income Grant?
The government has been considering a permanent Basic Income Support (BIS) grant to eventually replace the SRD. Current SRD recipients are expected to be automatically migrated. As of April 2026, the SRD continues at R370 and no firm BIS launch date has been confirmed.

📞 SASSA Contact Details

Toll-free call centre 0800 60 10 11 (free from any phone)
SASSA Head Office 012 400 2322
Email grantsenquiries@sassa.gov.za
Official SRD portal srd.sassa.gov.za

Ready to Apply or Check Your Status?

Use the official SASSA links below — always verify you are on a .gov.za address.

Apply Online at SASSA Check Your Status Submit an Appeal
Disclaimer: Loan-Lenders.co.za is an independent information website and is not affiliated with SASSA or the South African Government. All information is verified against official SASSA sources and updated regularly, but may change. Always confirm details at www.sassa.gov.za or srd.sassa.gov.za. Last verified: 23 April 2026.

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