How to check your SASSA SRD R370 status

The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant is a monthly cash transfer administered by SASSA, introduced in May 2020 as a temporary COVID-19 emergency measure. Originally R350/month (hence "R350 grant"), it was increased to R370 in April 2024 and remains at R370 in 2026.

Approximately 8–9 million South Africans receive it monthly, making it the country's largest social assistance programme by number of recipients.

2026 status:

• Amount: R370/month — frozen for the third consecutive year. Treasury called any further increase "simply unaffordable" in 2025.
• Extended until 31 March 2027 in the 2026 Budget, with an additional R36.4 billion allocation. President Ramaphosa's SONA commitment signals continuation beyond 2027.
• Total 2026/27 social grant spend: R292.8 billion.
• Court ruling: In January 2025, the Pretoria High Court (Judge Twala) declared six SRD regulations unconstitutional — including the online-only application process, the R624 income threshold, and the grant's value. Implementation is contested.

• South African citizen, permanent resident, refugee, asylum seeker, or holder of a valid special permit
• Aged 18–60
• Currently unemployed
• Not receiving any other SASSA grant (Child Support primary caregivers may still apply)
• Not receiving NSFAS, UIF or any stipend
• Not resident in a state institution
• Income test: less than R624/month in deposits to any bank account linked to your ID. SASSA scans bank accounts monthly via Treasury data-sharing. Even informal deposits (loans, gifts) can trigger flagging.

1. Official portal

Go to srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/status. Enter your 13-digit SA ID and the cell number you registered with. Click Submit. Status displays for the current and past months.

2. WhatsApp

Save 082 046 8553 as a contact, open WhatsApp, send "Hi", follow the chatbot prompts. Uses data, not airtime. Available 24/7.

3. USSD

Dial *120*69277# from any phone (current primary code). The old *134*7737# is largely deprecated; *120*3210# is a documented backup. Follow the prompts.

Other channels:

• SASSA chatbot "Lethi" on sassa.gov.za
• Toll-free 0800 60 10 11 (Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00)
• Email GrantEnquiries@sassa.gov.za

Pending

Application is under verification; cross-checks are running. Normal — wait.

Approved / Application Successful

You qualify for that month. Payment will be scheduled.

Application Unsuccessful

Failed one or more eligibility checks. The reason is shown next to the status.

Means Income Source Identified

Bank or SARS scan found deposits or income above R624/month. See troubleshooting below.

Identity Verification Failed

DHA database mismatch on name, ID or date of birth.

Bank Details Pending

Awaiting your submission of bank info.

Bank Details Verification

SASSA is verifying the account is in your name.

Re-application Pending

You need to confirm continued eligibility for the next month.

Referred / Referred SAFPS

Manual review or fraud-register flag. Contact SASSA or SAFPS.

Cancelled

Applicant cancelled, or SASSA withdrew the grant.

Debtor Identified

You owe SASSA money from a previous incorrect payment. Repay before further grants are released.

Common rejection codes: means_income_source_identified, identity_verification_failed, nsfas_registered, uif_registered, alternative_income_source_identified, registered_on_payroll, deceased, not_a_south_african_citizen.

• SRD is paid last in the SASSA monthly queue, after all permanent grants (Old Age, Disability, Child Support)
• May 2026 payment window: Mon 25 May – Fri 30 May 2026 (weekdays only)
• Payments may take 1–3 business days to reflect after release

Payment options:

• Personal bank account in your name (Capitec, Standard Bank, FNB, Nedbank, Absa, TymeBank, Postbank etc.)
• Postbank Black Card (replaced the old Gold Card)
• Cash-send via retailers: Pick n Pay, Shoprite, Checkers, Boxer, Spar, Usave — call ahead, not every store enables SRD pay-outs

1. Bank deposits >R624 — even informal money in/out. Get a bank statement; appeal explaining each deposit (loan, refund, family transfer) with sender details.
2. NSFAS funded — student aid disqualifies you. If you've stopped studying, get a de-registration letter and appeal.
3. UIF claim active — even if not paying out yet. Get a UIF clearance letter.
4. Registered as employed on SARS or employer database — old contracts not closed are a huge issue. Ask the old employer to update SARS.
5. Bank account not in your name — SASSA cannot pay third parties. Submit your own account.
6. Identity mismatch with Home Affairs (name spelling, ID typo) — visit Home Affairs to confirm and correct.
7. Receiving another SASSA grant — you can't claim two non-CSG grants simultaneously.
8. Deceased flag (mistaken DHA data) — go to Home Affairs immediately.
9. Registered on government payroll historically — even old, terminated contracts can trigger this.

1. Go to srd.sassa.gov.za/appeals (the standalone appeals.sassa.gov.za URL routes here)
2. Enter your ID and registered cell, receive OTP
3. Select the declined month and the rejection reason
4. Upload supporting proof (bank statement, NSFAS de-registration letter, UIF clearance, etc.)
5. Submit

Deadline: 30–90 days after the declined month, depending on the reason. Past 90 days you lose appeal rights permanently.

Appeal each month separately if multiple months were declined.

Appeals are lodged with the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals (ITSAA), free of charge, finalised within 60–90 days.

1. Go to srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/banking-details-update
2. Enter your ID; OTP sent to registered cell
3. Account must be in your own name (matching ID)
4. Since 1 September 2025, mandatory face-scan biometric verification (e-KYC liveness) is required for changes
5. New details take effect after risk check (usually ~48 hours)

If you no longer have the registered SIM, update your cellphone number first at srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/mobile-number-update.

"Means Income Source Identified" but I have no income

Get a bank statement showing the deposits SASSA flagged. Appeal each declined month and explain each deposit (loan, refund, family transfer) with the sender's name. If the deposits are real and over R624, you don't qualify.

"Identity Verification Failed"

Confirm your name and ID match Home Affairs exactly. Often the OTP went to an old number — update your cellphone first.

Lost SIM / changed number

Use the Mobile Number Update page. You'll need your registered bank's last-4 digits OR complete the face-scan biometric check.

Approved but not paid

Check (a) bank details are verified, (b) the account is in your name, (c) the status isn't "referred", (d) it's been at least 1–3 business days since release, (e) if it's cash-send, check the retailer.

SAFPS / Referred

You're on the South African Fraud Prevention Service register — dispute with SAFPS directly.

SASSA never asks for your PIN, password, OTP, or banking details via SMS, WhatsApp, email or call.

Common scams in 2026:

• Fake "R700 bonus payment" SMS — flagged by SASSA in February 2026
• "Click to receive payment" links — phishing
• Fake recruiters charging "registration" or "admin" fees
• Fake WhatsApp numbers mimicking 082 046 8553
• "Your grant will be cancelled in 24 hours" urgency scams
• Unauthorised airtime or insurance deductions from grant accounts

Only trust: srd.sassa.gov.za, sassa.gov.za, WhatsApp 082 046 8553, USSD *120*69277#.

• Toll-free: 0800 60 10 11 (Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00)
• Head office (Pretoria): SASSA House, 501 Prodinsa Building, cnr Steve Biko & Pretorius Streets — 012 400 2322
• Email: GrantEnquiries@sassa.gov.za
• Regional examples: KZN (Pietermaritzburg) 033 846 3300 · Mpumalanga (Nelspruit) 013 754 9446 · full list at sassa.gov.za