How To Apply For Sassa Unemployment Fund 2025-2026

How To Apply For Sassa Unemployment Fund 2025-2026

Are you now unemployed and looking for financial assistance in South Africa? The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) provides an unemployment fund to help people in need during these difficult moments.

The SASSA Unemployment Fund provides temporary financial assistance to qualified jobless South Africans. This fund seeks to reduce financial problems by providing monthly payments to meet the basic living expenditures of the individuals.

Sassa Unemployment Fund Eligibility Requirements 2025-2026

Before beginning the application process, make sure you fulfill the SASSA Unemployment Fund qualifying requirements. In general, the requirements are as follows:

• You must reside in South Africa
• You must meet any 1 of these criteria:
• 1. You must be a South African Citizen
  2. You must be a Refugee 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 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: SASSA Unemployment Relief Fund Status 2025-2026

How To Apply For Sassa Unemployment Fund 2025-2026

Applying for the Sassa Unemployment fund involves six simple steps, provided you meet the eligibility requirements. Follow the below steps to apply for the Sassa Unemployment Fund;

STEP 1: Choose An Application Method

Apply via 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

Apply via the 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

To Apply In-Person;

• Visit a SASSA office close to you
• Completed the SASSA application form in the presence of a SASSA officer
• After completing the application form completely, you will be given a dated stamped receipt that includes the name of the SASSA official who aided you with your application.
• keep your receipt as proof of application

 

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 InformationAnd Documentation

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: Choose Your Payment Method

Applicants would have to choose 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:

• 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&6: Verification

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 recognized 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 Do I Check The Status Sassa Grant Application?

If you have applied for the R350 Grant and want to know the status, you can do so in either the following ways:

• On the SRD grants website check your 350 grant Status
• Send a WhatsApp message to 082 046 8553
• Call the Toll Free Call Centre on 0800 60 10 11

READ: SASSA Unemployment Relief Fund Status Check 2025/2026

R350 Application Grant Status Meaning

Here are some explanations and definitions of some terms relating to the status of your application;

• Application complete:

this means you have completed the reapplication process and your SRD grant will be verified each month. Check your verification and payment status each month on the SRD website.

• Bank details pending:

this means the application or reapplication was received, but no banking details or preferences were received. Applicants should submit their banking details via the SRD website (see above, step 4 of the application process).

• Reapplication pending:

this means a reapplication has not been received. Applicants should submit their application (see above, for how to apply).

• Period Pending

this means reapplication was successfully received and verification of the application for the period is pending. Applicants should check their application status later in the month

• Period Approved

this means the application was approved for the period. Applicants should check the payday for details on when to expect their money.

• Period Declined

this means the application was declined for the period, as well as the reason why it was declined. Applicants should submit a request for reconsideration

• Cancelled

this means the grant has been cancelled. Applicants may reinstate their grant on the SRD website.

READ: How To Apply For Relief Fund R350

SASSA Grants Contact Details

For any further queries, please contact 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: Contact SASSA

Applying for the SASSA Unemployment Fund in 2024-2025 might give critical financial assistance during a period of unemployment. You may improve your chances of getting financial aid by knowing the qualifying criteria, compiling the appropriate evidence, and completing a comprehensive and correct application.

For more information visit the official website of Sassa: https://www.sassa.gov.za

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