SASSA Grant

How To Apply For Sassa Unemployment Relief Fund 2025-2026

The SASSA Unemployment Relief Fund provides necessary financial backing to persons who are now jobless and have lost income. This fund, administered by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), intends to assist with the financial problems experienced by people without jobs and to give assistance during these trying times.

This write-up is meant to give you a sequential exploration of the SASSA Unemployment Relief Fund application procedure, ensuring that you have the necessary knowledge and information to complete your application.

READ HERE: How To Apply For R350 Unemployment Fund Online

Sassa Unemployment Relief Fund Qualification Requirements 2025-2026

To receive SASSA Unemployment Relief Fund you must meet the qualification requirements of the grant. To be qualified for the SASSA Unemployment Relief Fund you must meet the following requirements:

You must settle in South Africa
You must be a Citizen of South Africa, You must be an exile in South Africa or 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 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 be jobless and NOT be receiving financial assistance from any other source
You must have inadequate financial means to support yourself
You must NOT be receiving any other social grants for yourself
You must NOT be contributing towards or qualified 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 Put In An Application for Sassa Unemployment Relief Fund 2025-2026

Applying for the Sassa Unemployment Fund involves six simple steps. To get a Sassa Unemployment fund, follow the steps below;

STEP 1: Select 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 Information And Official Papers

All applicants must provide the information below 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:

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: 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 and 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.

Sassa Unemployment Fund Payment 2025-2026

Sassa grant recipients are provided with various payment methods. They can choose among one of these payment methods;

Directly into your bank account: see step 4 of the application process above.
Collected in cash: from Spar, Pick n Pay, Checkers, Shoprite, Boxer, and USave stores. The Post Office will no longer be a collection point for the R350 grants.

Contact Sassa

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 Relief Fund can give vital support during difficult periods of unemployment. You may successfully submit your application if you follow this step-by-step guidance.

For more information visit the official website of Sassa.

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