How Do I Apply For This SRD Grant 2026

How Do I Apply For This SRD Grant 2026

SRD R350 Grant 2026: How To Qualify and Submit Your Application:

The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant, also known as the R350 grant, continues to be a vital source of support for unemployed individuals across South Africa. Managed by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), the grant offers temporary financial relief to those who have no income or social assistance.

To apply for the SRD Grant in 2026, you must meet specific requirements. You must be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or a refugee/asylum seeker with a valid file number from countries like Zimbabwe, Angola, or Lesotho. Applicants should be between the ages of 18 and 59, unemployed, and not receiving UIF, NSFAS, SARS, or other SASSA grants.

The application process is fully online, allowing you to apply from your mobile phone or computer. Visit the official SRD website at https://srd.sassa.gov.za. You will need your South African ID number or file number, a working cellphone number, and banking details if you choose direct deposit as your payment method.

During the application, you will receive a 6-digit OTP via SMS to verify your phone number. After completing the form and answering basic questions about your income and employment, click Submit. You will then get a confirmation SMS with your Application ID (reference number), which proves your application is active.

Is the SASSA Application Open For 2026

• Since SASSA is a social intervention policy, it is always open for application and has no closing date.
• Every month, Sassa grant applications are open for those wanting to apply.

Requirements Needed To Apply For This SRD Grant 2026

To apply for the SASSA SRD Grant, you must meet the criteria to apply (note that these criteria may change). The criteria are as follows:

• You must reside in South Africa

You must meet any 1 of these criteria:

• • You must be a South African Citizen
  • You must be a Refugee in South Africa
  • You must be an Asylum Seeker in South Africa with a valid Section 22 permit or visa
  • 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 be unemployed and NOT be receiving financial support from any other source
• 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)

Read Also: How To Apply Sassa R350

How Do I Apply For This SRD Grant 2026

With your mobile phone, computer, or laptop connected to the internet, applicants can follow these 6 simple steps to apply for the SRD Grant

STEP 1: CHOOSE AN APPLICATION METHOD:

Applications for the SRD Grant can be submitted via WhatsApp, the SRD Website, or the SASSA Chatbot. You should only apply via one method – submitting more than one application will not speed up the process; it may slow down your application.

Please read how to apply each of these methods:

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

SRD Website:

• In your internet browser, visit the SRD Website (if you are a Refugee, Asylum Seeker, or Special Permit Holder
• 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.

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

STEP 2: AGREE TO THE T&C:

• Read and agree to the clauses in the Declaration and the Consent
• Read and agree to the clauses on the Special COVID-19 SRD Grant document

STEP 3: PROVIDE YOUR DETAILS:

Provide your personal information, including:

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

STEP 4: CHOOSE YOUR PAYMENT OPTION / PROVIDE YOUR BANKING DETAILS:

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 personal bank accounts 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: RECEIVE AN SMS:

Applicants will receive an SMS notifying them of their banking details. After receiving this SMS, the SRD R350 Grant application is now active.

STEP 6: SASSA VERIFICATION AND VALIDATION:

SASSA verifies your personal information (ID Number, Name, and Surname) against the Department of Home Affairs database.

• SASSA matches your ID Number against approved databases such as UIF, SARS, and NSFAS.
• Fraud Risk Scoring is conducted with Fraud prevention partners, whereby your ID number and mobile number are checked against the approved databases.
• Your application is then Approved or Declined with the reason (see below a list of reasons for being declined).

How To Check Your R350 Grants Application Status?

If you have submitted your application for the SRD Grant and would like to find out the status, you can check your application status in either of these ways:

• On the SRD grants website, check your SRD Status here
• Send a WhatsApp message to 082 046 8553
• Call the Toll Free Call Centre on 0800 60 10 11

SASSA Contact Details

• For any further queries, please get in touch with SASSA directly:
• Contact the SASSA Toll-Free Call centre 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: SASSA contact details

Applying for the SRD grant is a simple process that can provide vital financial support during difficult times. By following the step-by-step guide outlined in this article, you can confidently complete your application. Remember to verify your eligibility, gather all the necessary documents, and review your information before submitting your application. For more information, please visit SASSA Grant’s official website.

RELATED LINKS:

• How To Apply R350 Sassa Grant
• How To Apply For R350 Sassa
• How Do I Apply For Sassa Grant R350 2025