How Do You Apply For R350 Grant 2026-2027

How Do You Apply For R350 Grant 2026-2027

How To Apply for the SASSA SRD Grant 2026 – Step-by-Step Guide:

Are you struggling financially and wondering how to apply for the SASSA R350 grant for 2026–2027? The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, commonly known as the R350 grant, is offered by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) to provide temporary financial assistance to unemployed individuals with no source of income.

Due to ongoing economic challenges, the South African government has extended the SRD grant for another year, from April 2026 to March 2027, and the monthly amount has been increased to R370. If you are a South African citizen, permanent resident, asylum seeker, or special permit holder aged 18 to 60, and not receiving any other form of income or grant, you may qualify for the SASSA R350 grant.

The application process is completely online, allowing you to apply from the comfort of your home using a smartphone or computer. All you need is a valid South African ID, a cellphone number, and access to the internet. This guide will show you how to apply for the R350 grant for 2026–2027, including the eligibility criteria, required documents, application steps, and how to track your status after submitting your application.

Whether you are applying for the first time or reapplying after a rejection, this article will give you all the information you need to get started with your SRD R370 grant application.

When To Apply For The R350 Grant 2026-2027

Since SASSA is a social intervention policy, it is always open for application, and there is no closing date

Requirements Needed To Apply For R350 Grant 2026-2027

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 Do You Apply SRD Sassa 350?

How Do You Apply For R350 Grant 2026-2027

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 rather 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, should 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, NSFAS, etc.
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).

Choose Your Sassa SRD Grant Payment Method

First-Time Applicants:

Cash Send: Enter your mobile number and accept the terms.
Bank Account: Submit your bank name, account number, and type.

If You Have Applied Before:

Review or update your bank details.
If switching from cash to bank payments, provide full banking details and resubmit.

What Is The Sassa SRD Grant Application Processing Time For 2026

The application process may take up to 3 months for verification.

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

Applying for the R350 grant can provide crucial financial support during challenging times. By following the step-by-step guide provided in this article, you can navigate the application process smoothly and increase your chances of accessing much-needed assistance. For more, visit the official website.

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