SASSA Grant

How To Apply For R350 Social Relief 2025-2026

We are very pleased to present an all-inclusive guide that will assist you in applying for the R350 Social Relief grant for the year 2025-2026. The South African government introduced this grant to offer interim support to individuals facing financial crises.

Initially implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was designed to aid those who lost their employment or income sources during this difficult period. Recognizing its importance, the grant has been extended to continue assisting in subsequent years, including the upcoming period of 2025-2026.

By following the steps outlined in this lead, you will gain valuable insights and acquire all the necessary information to complete your application successfully.

READ HERE: How Do I Apply For Sassa Social Relief Grant 2025

R350 Social Relief Qualification Requirements 2025-2026

Applicants must meet the following requirements to be qualified for the R350 Social Relief grant:

The general criteria are provided below;

You must be settled in South Africa
You must be jobless and NOT be receiving financial aid from any other source
You must meet any 1 of these criteria:
1. You must be a Citizen of South Africa
2. You must be an exile 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 the ages of 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 back 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 salary from NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme).

How To Apply For R350 Social Relief 2025-2026

To apply for the R350 Social Relief grant, follow these steps:

STEP 1: Select An Application Method

Apply via WhatsApp:

Send a message via WhatsApp to 082 046 8553
Provide your personal 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 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

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 Official Papers

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: Select Your Payment Method

Applicants would have to select 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:

Select 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: Confirmation

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 recognised 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.

How Long Will It Take For My Application To Be Processed 2025-2026?

Your grant application may take up to three months to be processed by SASSA and If your grant is granted, you will be paid from the day you applied.

However, If your grant application was not granted, you will be notified in writing by SASSA. If you disagree with the decision, you have 90 days from the day you were told that your application was failed to file an appeal. Your appeal must be sent to the Minister of Social Development at the Department of Social Development’s national the main office.

Contact Sassa

For any further queries, please contact SASSA directly: