How To Apply For Unemployment Fund R350 2025-2026

How To Apply For Unemployment Fund R350 2025-2026

Are you having financial difficulties in South Africa as a result of unemployment or a temporary job loss? Through the COVID-19 Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (TERS), the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) offers important support. This relief program provides qualified persons with R350 per month in cash assistance.

To assist you in obtaining this critical assistance, we have created a complete step-by-step instruction on how to apply for the Unemployment Fund R350 for the fiscal years 2024-2025.

READ HERE: How To Apply For Relief Fund R350

How To Apply For Unemployment Fund R350 2025-2026

Follow the detailed guide to apply for the unemployment fund R350 2025-2026;

STEP 1: Choose An Application Method

Apply via WhatsApp:

• Send a message via WhatsApp to 082 046 8553
• Provide your details
• You will receive a Reference number, an OTP, and a link to click
• Click on the provided link, fill in your OTP, and verify your account
• Fill in your surname and ID number
• Confirm the personal details that you provided via the WhatsApp chat

Apply via the SRD Website:

• In your internet browser, visit the SRD Website(if you are a Refugee, Asylum Seeker, or Special Permit Holders, find out how to apply here)
• Fill in your mobile number and ID number and click “send SMS”
• You will receive a 6-digit OTP via SMS
• Insert the OTP number on the SRD website and click “verify pin”

Using the SASSA Chatbot:

• In your internet browser, visit the SASSA Website
• Click on the SRD R350 Grant assistance chatbox (the orange box on the side of the screen)
• Fill in your ID number and mobile number
• On the chat, choose the option to apply for the SRD R350 grant
• Click on the SRD website link provided by the SASSA Chatbot
• Follow the SRD website steps

To Apply In-Person;

• Visit a SASSA office close to you
• Completed the SASSA application form in the presence of a SASSA officer
• After completing the application form completely, you will be given a dated stamped receipt that includes the name of the SASSA official who aided you with your application.
• keep your receipt as proof of application

STEP 2: Agree To The T& C’s

• Read and agree to the Declaration and Consent terms.
• Read and accept the terms of the You and Your Special COVID-19 SRD Grant paper.

STEP 3: Provide Required Information And Documentation

All applicants must provide the below information to complete the application process.

• ID Number
• Full Name and Surname (as printed on your ID Document/ ID Card)
• Gender
• Physical Address
• Contact Information (mobile number, email address)

STEP 4: Choose Your Payment Method

Applicants would have to choose from the various Sassa payment methods designed for all applicants. Provided below are some payment methods of Sassa that applicants may have to choose from;

New applicants with a personal bank account, must provide the following information for payment:

• Your Bank Name
• Your Account Number
• Your Branch Name
• Your Account Type
• Agree to the Terms and Conditions
• Submit your Banking Details

New applicants without a personal bank account, must provide the following information for payment:

• Choose Payment option – Cash Send
• Agree to Terms and Conditions
• Submit Banking Details
• Existing applicants with a personal bank account, confirm the following information for payment:
• Confirm Existing Personal Banking Details
• Agree to Terms and Conditions
• Click Submit

Existing applicants with the cash option, who would like to change to the bank payment option, provide the following information for payment:

• Your Bank Name
• Your Account Number
• Your Branch Name
• Your Account Type
• Agree to the Terms and Conditions
• Submit your Banking Details

STEP 5&6: Verification

Applicants will get an SMS with their banking information, indicating that The SRD R350 Grant application is now active.

SASSA compares your personal information (ID number, name, and surname) to a Department of Home Affairs database, as well as your ID number to recognized databases such as UIF, SARS, and NSFAS. Fraud risk scoring is carried out in partnership with fraud prevention partners, and your ID number and mobile number are cross-checked against known databases. The application procedure is then completed when your application is either granted or declined with a reason.

READ ALSO: SASSA Unemployment Relief Fund Status 2025-2026

Unemployment Fund R350 Eligibility Requirement 2025-2026

Make sure you qualify for the grant and complete all of the conditions before beginning the registration process. The following is a broad list of qualifications for the Sassa Relief Grant;

• You must reside in South Africa
• You must be unemployed and NOT be receiving financial support from any other source
• You must meet any 1 of these criteria:
  1. You must be a South African Citizen
  2. You must be a Refugee in South Africa
  3. You must be an Asylum Seeker in South Africa with a valid Section 22 permit or visa
  4. You must be a Special Permit Holder in South Africa (under the Special Angolan Dispensation, the Lesotho Exemption Permit Dispensation, or the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit Dispensation)
• You must be between 18 and 60 years old
• You must meet the means test, with an income of R624 or less per month
• You must have insufficient financial means to support yourself
• You must NOT be receiving any other social grants for yourself
• You must NOT be contributing towards or eligible for UIF payment
• You must NOT unreasonably refuse to accept employment or educational opportunities
• You must NOT be receiving a stipend from NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme).

R350 Unemployment Fund Payment Method 2025

You can choose your preferred payment option when you apply. You may also change your chosen form of payment. Your R350 Grant will be distributed in one of two ways, depending on your preference:

• Directly into your bank account: see step 4 of the application process above.
• Collected in cash: from Spar, Pick n Pay, Checkers, Shoprite, Boxer, and USave stores. The Post Office will no longer be a collection point for the R350 grants.

Contact Sassa

For any further queries, please contact SASSA directly:

• Contact the SASSA Toll-Free Call center on 0800 60 10 11
• Contact the SASSA Head Office on 012 400 2322
• Email SASSA Head Office at: Grantsenquiries@sassa.gov.za
• Contact details of SASSA offices across the country: Contact SASSA

For more information visit the official website of Sassa.

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