SASSA Grant

How To Claim R350 Unemployment Grant During Lockdown 2025-2026

Unexpected crises have been caused by the COVID-19 epidemic, which has had an impact on economies, and left many people jobless, or grappling financially. The government of South Africa has developed several assistance programs to assist persons in need, including the R350 Unemployment Grant. This award helps eligible applicants who are jobless and have no other sources of income with short-term financial support. We’ll thread you through the process of applying for the R350 Unemployment Grant during a lockdown in this post.

READ HERE: How To Claim The R350 Unemployment

How To Claim R350 Unemployment Grant During Lockdown 2025-2026

The unemployment grant is given to qualified citizens of South Africa who are jobless and have no means of income to provide the basic needs for themselves and their families. To claim the unemployment grant, you must apply for it to be approved by SASSA. The below steps are guidelines to apply for the R350 Unemployment Grant 2025-2026;

STEP 1: Qualification

Before you begin the application procedure, be sure you meet the R350 Unemployment Grant qualification requirements. The following are the general requirements:

You must settle in South Africa
You must be a South African Citizen
You must be a Fugitive 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 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).

STEP 2: Legal Papers

You will need the following documentation and information to properly claim the R350 Unemployment Grant:

ID Number (or your passport number/ special permit if you are not a South African citizen)
Full Name and Surname (as stated on your official ID document/ passport)
Phone number (SASSA will use this number to contact you regarding your status so make sure you have access to this mobile number)
Physical Address or residential address.

STEP 3: Application

Applicants must select the various methods of application to claim the grant. The application methods are provided below:

Apply via the 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”

Apply via the SASSA Chatbot:

In your internet browser, visit the SASSA Website
Click on the SRD R350 Grant assistance chatbox (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.

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
Verify the details that you provided via the WhatsApp chat.

Apply In-Person:

Visit a SASSA office close to you
The application form is available at the SASSA office
Completed in the presence of a SASSA officer
Submit certified copies of the required documents
You will receive a dated stamped receipt
You will need to keep your receipt as proof of application

STEP 4: Follow Up

After you submit your application, you will receive a confirmation message stating that it was received. The processing of applications may take some time due to the high volume of submissions. Therefore you can visit the Sassa office, the SRD website, or call the SASSA office number to check the status of your application.

STEP 5: R350 Unemployment Grant Remittance

SASSA will tell you through SMS or email once your application has been accepted. You will then be asked to enter further information, such as your banking information, to complete the transaction. SASSA will give other means of getting the money if you do not have a bank account. Your payment is scheduled based on some factors including, mode of application and period of application.

How Will I Know If My Application Was Successful?

If your grant application is rejected, you will be notified in writing by SASSA.

If you disagree with the decision, you have 90 days from the day you were told that your application failed to file an appeal. Your appeal must be sent to the Minister of Social Development at the Department of Social Development’s national headquarters.

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.

The R350 Unemployment Grant is an aid for people experiencing financial difficulties during the lockdown. You may easily traverse the application procedure by following the gradual guidance described in this article. For more information visit the official website of Sassa.

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