How To Apply For Unemployment Relief Fund R350

How To Apply For Unemployment Relief Fund R350

The South African government introduced the Unemployed Relief Fund R350 as a social assistance program to help people without employment who do not have other revenue or financial support sources. It aims to provide qualified applicants with an R350 monthly temporary relief payment, helping them to cover their basic needs and preserve some degree of stability during hard times.

Enrolling in the Joblessness Relief Fund R350 is a simple method that is mostly done online through approved government portals. This post gives detailed information about how to apply and eligibility criteria for 2025.

READ: How To Apply For R350 Unemployment Fund On Whatsapp Number

 Unemployment Relief Fund R350 Qualifications

The unemployment grant is offered to eligible South Africans. Before you apply;

• It would help if you 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 Finance)

Materials For Social Distress Registration 2025

Applicants must provide the following during registration;

• ID Number
• Full Name and Surname (as printed on your ID Document/ ID Card)
• Gender
• Physical Address
• Contact Information (mobile number, email address)

Simple Steps to Apply for the R350 Unemployment Relief Fund 2025

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(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”

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

READ: Sassa Payout For May 2025

SASSA Srd Grant Application Status Meaning

Here is an explanation of what your SRD grant application status means:

• 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 (see above, how to check your application status).

• 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 (see below, for how to apply for reconsideration).

• Canceled:

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

SASSA Grants 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
• Contact details of SASSA offices across the country: Contact SASSA

You may improve your chances of getting the help you need by thoroughly investigating the eligibility requirements, collecting the required paperwork, correctly filling out the application form, and sending it through the proper channel. For more information visit the official website of Sassa.

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