How To Apply For The R350 Sassa Grant 2026

How To Apply For The R350 Sassa Grant 2026

R350 SASSA Grant Application 2026: Step-by-Step Process:

SASSA continues to provide the R350 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant to help unemployed individuals, caregivers without any income, and those who do not receive other financial support. As the economic challenges remain for many South Africans, the R350 grant offers temporary assistance to eligible citizens, permanent residents, refugees, asylum seekers, and special permit holders.

Applying for the R350 grant in 2026 is now easier and more accessible than ever. With the entire process available online, you do not need to visit a SASSA office in person. You can simply use your smartphone or computer to submit your application on the official SASSA SRD website. The online system allows for faster processing, secure submission of documents, and easy tracking of your application status.

To begin your application, you will need your South African ID or asylum seeker/refugee permit number, a valid cellphone number for receiving OTPs, and your banking details or preferred payment option, such as Postbank or retail pickup. First-time applicants and returning applicants can all follow the updated process for 2026.

This detailed guide will show you step-by-step how to apply for the R350 SASSA grant in 2026, what documents are needed, who qualifies, and how to check your status after applying. Avoid mistakes and delays by following the correct procedure. Whether it is your first time or you are reapplying, this guide ensures your application is submitted smoothly and correctly.

Sassa R350 Grants Open For Application 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 The R350 Sassa 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 To Apply For The R350 Sassa 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 via 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 (if you are a Refugee, Asylum Seeker, or Special Permit holder
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).

Choose Your Preferred Payment Method For The R350 Sassa Grant 2026

When applying for the SASSA R350 grant, you will need to select how you want to receive your payments. There are two main options:

First-Time Applicants

Cash Send Option:

Provide a valid mobile number.
Agree to the terms and conditions.
Submit the required documents.

Bank Account Option:

Provide your banking details (bank name, account number, branch name, and account type).
Read and accept the terms and conditions.
Submit your application form.

Returning Applicants:

If You Already Provided Bank Details:

Review your existing bank information.
Confirm and accept the updated terms and conditions.

If You Previously Used Cash Send and Want to Switch to a Bank Account:

Submit your new banking details.
Agree to the terms and submit the form.

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

How To Check Your SRD Grant Application Status

To check the status of your R350 application:

Go to: https://srdsassagrants.co.za/
Enter your ID number and mobile number in the status check tool.
If approved, your payment date will be displayed.

How Long Does SASSA Application Verification Take?

After submitting your application, it may take up to 3 months for SASSA to verify all your information and documents.
This process ensures that all eligibility checks are completed accurately.

Applying for the R350 grant online is a straightforward process that can provide much-needed financial relief to eligible individuals in South Africa. By following this step-by-step guide, you can easily navigate the application process. Remember to check your eligibility, gather the required documents, and submit an accurate and complete application. For more information, please visit SASSA Grant’s official website.

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