How To Apply For The R350 Relief Grant 2026

How To Apply For The R350 Relief Grant 2026

When and How to Re-Register for R350 SASSA Grant 2026:

If you are a citizen of South Africa that is currently unemployed, facing a financial crisis, or struggling to meet your basic needs, the R350 Relief Grant 2026 from the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) may be the support you need. This grant, officially known as the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, offers short-term financial assistance to individuals who have no source of income and are unable to provide for themselves or their families. Whether you have never applied before or your previous grant has expired, knowing how to apply properly can ensure you get the help you deserve.

The R350 Relief Grant is available to South African citizens, permanent residents, or refugees who are between 18 and 59 years old, unemployed, and not receiving any other form of government assistance. The application process for 2026 is quick and can be done online through the official SASSA SRD website. You will need your South African ID number, a working cellphone number, and banking details (or select a collection method).

Once you apply, SASSA will assess your application based on your income, employment status, and other personal information. If approved, you will receive a monthly payment of R350 for a limited period. The grant is available for up to three months, with a possible extension depending on your situation.

This guide will show you step-by-step how to apply for the R350 Relief Grant in 2026, what documents you need, how to qualify, and how to track your application status to make sure your support arrives without delay.

Deadline To Apply For The R350 Relief Grant 2026

Since SASSA is a social intervention policy, it is always open for application and has no closing date. Every month, grant applications are open for those wanting to apply.

Needed Requirements To Apply For The R350 Relief 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 Relief 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:

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

SRD Website:

In your internet browser, visit the SRD Website
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”

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:

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, 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).

Methods to Check Your SASSA R350 Grant 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:

Online via the Official SASSA SRD Portal:

Visit the SASSA SRD website: srd.sassa.gov.za (or directly open the status page: srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/status).
Find and click on the Check Status or Application Status section.
Enter your South African ID number and the cellphone number used during your application.
If prompted, enter the OTP sent via SMS, then click Submit to view your current status: Pending, Approved, or Declined

Via SMS or WhatsApp:

SMS: Send your ID number to 082 046 8553. You’ll receive a reply with your application status
WhatsApp: Message your ID, name, and cellphone number to 082 046 8553. The system will send back your status

Using USSD Code (On Any Mobile Phone)

Dial *120*69277# (or the latest SASSA-provided code).
Choose the “Check Status” option, enter your ID number, and confirm.
Your status will display immediately on the screen

Phone Call:

Call the SASSA helpline at 0800 60 10 11. Provide your ID number and registered cellphone.
The automated system or representative will inform you of your status

Mobile Apps:

SASSA SRD App (Android/iOS): Download and log in to check your status.
Moya App: Open the app, select SASSA services, input your ID and phone number to receive your status free of data charges

SASSA Contact Details

For any further queries, please get in touch with SASSA directly:

SASSA Toll-Free Helpline: 0800 60 10 11
SASSA Head Office: 012 400 2000
SASSA Fax: 012 400 2257
SASSA Website: https://www.sassa.gov.za
SASSA Email: srd@sassa.gov.za

With the right preparation, you can successfully apply for the SASSA Grant of R350 and receive the financial assistance you need. Remember to check your eligibility, gather the required documents, and review your information before submitting your application. For more information, please visit SASSA Grant’s official website.

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