How To Apply For R350 Grant 2026

How To Apply For R350 Grant 2026

R350 Grant Application Made Easy – A Guide for First-Time Applicants:

If you are currently unemployed or finding it hard to get by in South Africa, the SASSA R350 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant can help ease the pressure. This monthly grant, now updated to R370, is offered by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) to those who have no source of income, are not receiving any other social grant, and do not get UIF or NSFAS support. It is open to South African citizens, asylum seekers, and special permit holders between the ages of 18 and 60.

The good news is that applying for the R350 grant in 2025 is much easier than before. Thanks to SASSA’s online system, you do not need to go to their offices or stand in long queues. You can apply straight from your phone or computer by following a few simple steps. You will need your South African ID or passport number, a working cellphone number (to receive an OTP for verification), and your details. If you want to get paid into your bank account, you will also need to submit your banking details.

After you apply, SASSA will process your application in about 2 weeks to 3 months. You will get an SMS with the outcome, either approved or declined. If approved, your R370 payment will be made every month on the set SASSA dates. This guide will take you through everything you need to know to apply for the R350 grant in 2026, step by step, clearly and simply.

Read Also: Check R350 Grant Status 2025-2026

Deadline To Apply For R350 Grant 2026

Since SASSA is a social intervention policy, it is always open for application, and there is no closing date

Requirements To Apply For R350 Grants for 2025

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)

How To Apply For the R350 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:

1) In your internet browser, visit the SRD Website (if you are a Refugee, Asylum Seeker, or Special Permit Holder, find out how to apply here)
2) Fill in your mobile number and ID number and click “send SMS”
3) You will receive a 6-digit OTP via SMS
4) 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

Read Also: How Do You Apply SRD Sassa 350?

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).

Applying for the R350 Grant can provide much-needed assistance during difficult times. By following the outlined steps in this guide, you can ensure a smooth and successful application process. Remember to provide accurate information and keep track of your application status for updates. For more information, please visit SASSA Grant’s official website.

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