How Do You Apply For The R350 Grant 2026

How Do You Apply For The R350 Grant 2026

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply for R350 in 2026:

If you are currently unemployed or going through financial hardship, the R350 grant from SASSA can provide you with much-needed relief in 2026. Officially known as the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, this support is aimed at South Africans who have no source of income and are not receiving any other government support, like UIF or NSFAS. The good news is that applying for the R350 grant in 2026 is simple, free, and can be done online using your phone or computer.

To qualify, you must be a South African citizen, permanent resident, asylum seeker, or special permit holder between the ages of 18 and 59. You must not be receiving any form of income or support from the government. The R350 grant is paid monthly and can help cover essential costs like food, transport, and other basic needs while you search for work or get back on your feet.

You can apply through the official SASSA SRD website at https://srd.sassa.gov.za, via WhatsApp, or even through the Moya app. You’ll need your South African ID number, a working cellphone number, and banking details or a preferred payment option such as CashSend.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the full application process for the R350 grant in 2026, including the requirements, documents needed, and how to track your application status. Whether this is your first time applying or you are reapplying, we’ll help you complete your application with confidence.

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.

Essentials Needed To Apply For The R350 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 Do You Apply SRD Sassa 350?

How Do You Apply For The R350 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:

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

SRD Website:

• 1) In your internet browser, visit the SRD Website
• 2) Fill in your mobile number and ID number, and click “send SMS.”
• 3) You will receive a 6-digit OTP via SMS
• 4) Insert the OTP number on the SRD website and click “verify pin.”

SASSA Chatbot:

• 1) In your internet browser, visit the SASSA Website
• 2) Click on the SRD R350 Grant assistance chatbox (the orange box on the side of the screen)
• 3) Fill in your ID number and mobile number
• 4) On the chat, choose the option to apply for the SRD R350 grant
• 5) Click on the SRD website link provided by the SASSA Chatbot
• 6) 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).

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
• 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

Applying for the R350 grant is a straightforward process that can provide temporary financial relief to those in need. By following this step-by-step guide, you can navigate the application process with ease. Confirm your eligibility, gather the required documents, access the online application portal, complete the application form accurately, and submit it along with any necessary documentation. For more information, please visit SASSA Grant’s official website.

RELATED LINKS:

• How To Apply R350 Sassa Grant
• How Do You Apply For the SRD Grant
• How To Apply For The R350