More than 210,000 SRD grant recipients have already been cut off in a sweeping SASSA crackdown on fraud and non-compliance. As ID verification gets stricter and data-sharing with SARS and NSFAS becomes routine, avoiding these seven costly mistakes is critical to keep your SRD R370 grant flowing.
💡 What Is the SRD Grant and Why Does It Matter?
The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant is a temporary provision of assistance offered by the South African government to individuals facing dire material hardship—people unable to meet their or their family’s most basic needs.
This could be due to:
- Awaiting payment of another social grant (e.g. child support)
- Unemployment or loss of income
- A breadwinner’s death, imprisonment, or short-term disability
- Inability to secure child maintenance
- Being affected by a disaster—even if the area isn’t formally declared a disaster zone
Since its introduction in May 2020, the SRD grant has become a vital financial lifeline:
- Over 17.4 million people have applied for it
- Roughly 80,000 new applications are submitted every month
- Around 7.5 million beneficiaries currently receive the R370 monthly
- A recent court judgment affirmed that up to 18.3 million South Africans should be able to access the grant
Assistance may be provided as:
- Cash (R370 monthly for SRD recipients)
- A food parcel
- A voucher for food purchases
Applicants must:
- Be over 18 years old
- Be South African citizens, permanent residents, refugees, or asylum seekers
- Be unemployed and not receiving any other form of income, social grant, UIF, or NSFAS support
Applications can be submitted online at srd.sassa.gov.za or at your nearest SASSA office. In cases where formal ID documents are unavailable, sworn affidavits, baptismal certificates, clinic cards, or school reports may be accepted.
❌ The 7 Mistakes That Could Cancel Your SRD—And How to Dodge Them
1. Incomplete or Inaccurate Information
If your ID, name, or other personal details don’t match Home Affairs records, your application will likely be rejected or flagged.
✅ Fix: Update your personal details here before submitting or appealing.
2. Duplicate Applications
If you submit more than one application using the same ID, it may be interpreted as fraud or confusion—leading to rejection.
✅ Fix: Stick to one verified application. If you suspect duplicates, contact SASSA immediately.
3. Constantly Changing Banking or Contact Details
Repeated updates to your bank account or cellphone number cause processing delays and could trigger fraud alerts.
✅ Fix: Update or submit or change banking details using srd.sassa.gov.za and ensure both the account and number are registered in your name.
4. Skipping Biometric or Identity Verification
The revived eKYC (electronic Know Your Client) system now requires facial and fingerprint scans.
✅ Fix: Complete this step in a well-lit room with a stable internet connection. Respond to the SMS link within 72 hours.
5. Status Shows “Referred” and You Take No Action
“Referred” means your application has been flagged for suspected fraud or irregularity.
✅ Fix: Contact SASSA immediately to clarify and resolve the issue:
- Toll-Free: 0800 60 10 11
- Mpumalanga Line: [013] 754 – 9428 / 9363
6. Receiving Additional Income in Your Bank Account
If SASSA identifies other income (from work, a relative, UIF, or NSFAS), your application will be declined.
✅ Fix: Avoid any deposits in the account used for your SRD grant. Do not try to “hide” income—SASSA now uses data-sharing agreements to verify this.
7. Applying While Ineligible
You won’t qualify if you:
- Earn above the income threshold
- Receive another social grant (e.g. old age, child support)
- Are employed or studying with NSFAS funding
- Are receiving UIF
✅ Fix: Only apply if you fully meet eligibility. If your circumstances change, reapply or reinstate your application here.
📍 Bonus Tip: Always protect your identity—fraudulent applications or identity theft are common reasons for grant cancellation.
📞 Need Help?
Call 0800 60 10 11 or [013] 754 – 9428 / 9363 during working hours for assistance.
📅 See the confirmed June 2025 payment schedule.
📘 Don’t forget to check this guide on 11 common SASSA application mistakes.
Reinstate, Reapply, or Update:
- Canceled previously? Reinstate your grant online
- Declined due to wrong info? Request a correction and reapply
- Still eligible but unpaid? Update your banking details using the SASSA SRD online portal. You’ll need your SA ID number and phone numbers registered with SASSA. Follow the “Change Banking Details” option, provide the required details, and confirm the update via SMS.
For more verified information, updates, and real-time guides on the SRD R370 and other social grants, visit the official
NOWinSA SASSA Resource Homepage:
NOWinSA – Stories Shaping South Africa Today.
