What Is SASSA and the SRD Grant?
SASSA stands for the South African Social Security Agency. It is the government body that pays out social grants, including the Older Persons Grant, Disability Grant, Child Support Grant, and the SRD grant. SASSA falls under the Department of Social Development, and it is a completely separate organisation from UIF, even though people often mix the two up because both pay out money to people who are struggling for income.
The SRD grant started in May 2020, during the hard early months of the Covid pandemic, as a short-term measure to help people with no income at all. It began at R350 a month, which is why so many people still search for the "R350 grant" even though the amount is different now. In April 2024, the amount moved up to R370 a month, and it has stayed at R370 since then. The 2026 national budget set aside funding to keep the grant active, serving millions of South Africans.
If you are receiving UIF benefits, you cannot also get the SRD grant for the same period, since UIF counts as another form of income and support.
Who Can Get the SRD Grant
SASSA checks a few key criteria before approving an SRD application. You must meet every requirement below:
- Age: You must be between 18 and 59 years old.
- Residency: South African citizen, permanent resident, or registered refugee/asylum seeker with valid permits.
- Unemployed with no regular income: You cannot be earning above R624 a month from any source.
- No other social grant: You cannot be receiving another SASSA grant for yourself at the same time.
- Not receiving UIF or NSFAS: If you receive UIF payments or NSFAS funding, you do not qualify for SRD for that period.
The R624 Means Test Explained
To qualify for SRD, your total income from every source must be under R624 a month. SASSA checks your bank account automatically using data from SARS, UIF, NSFAS, banks, and Home Affairs.
The important part: the system adds up everything that lands in your account that month, not just regular salary. A stokvel payout, a family member sending you money, a once-off refund, or casual work paid electronically — all of it counts. If the total for the month is R624 or more, you will be declined for that specific month, even if none of it was regular income.
The check runs fresh every single month. Being declined in one month does not mean you are declined forever. SASSA reassesses your whole situation every month before releasing payment.
SASSA Payment Dates for 2026
SASSA pays different grants on different days, and exact payment schedules shift slightly each month. SRD grants are typically processed toward the end of each month after bank verification cycles.
Once your status check shows you are approved, it displays your exact assigned payment date directly in your online outcome.
How to Appeal a Declined Application
A decline is not always the end of the road. If you believe SASSA got it wrong, you can appeal within 90 days from the date of decline.
- Go to the official DSD SRD appeals portal (srd.dsd.gov.za).
- Enter your ID number and registered cellphone number, then enter the OTP sent to your phone.
- Select the specific month you are appealing.
- Provide the reason for appeal and submit. Keep proof of non-income deposits ready if requested.
Common Problems and How to Fix Them
- Lost your cellphone number: Update your phone number on file via the official SASSA portal (srd.sassa.gov.za) or call 0800 60 10 11.
- Approved but no payment received: Verify your banking details are correct and that the bank account is active in your name.
- Status keeps changing month to month: SASSA reassesses every month fresh. Temporary bank deposits can trigger a monthly decline.
- Application declined: Check the specific reason given in your status outcome and submit an appeal on srd.dsd.gov.za within 90 days if eligible.
- SASSA website not loading: Try WhatsApp (082 046 8553), USSD (*134*7371#), or call toll-free 0800 60 10 11.