SASSA Grant

How To Register For Sassa Unemployment Fund 2025-2026

The SASSA Unemployment Fund, administered by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), aims to provide temporary financial ease to eligible individuals who have lost their jobs. The fund caters to the basic needs of eligible individuals.

Registering for the unemployment fund is simple, straightforward, and convenient. The procedure for registering involves six simple steps. To register;

STEP 1: Choose 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 Documentation

All applicants must provide the below information 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: Choose Your Payment Method

Applicants would have to choose 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: Verification

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, as well as 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.

How To Register For Sassa Unemployment Fund 2025-2026

READ HERE: How To Apply For Sassa Unemployment Fund 2025-2026

Who Is Eligible For Sassa Unemployment Fund 2025-2026

Before applying, you must ensure that you meet the Sassa Unemployment Fund qualifying requirements. The key requirements are often as follows:

You must reside in South Africa
You must be unemployed and NOT be receiving financial support from any other source
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 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 Check The Status of Your Application

To find out the status of your application, you must first submit a fully completed application. You may check the status of your application in one of two ways:

On the SRD grants website
Send a WhatsApp message to 082 046 8553
Call the Toll Free Call Centre on 0800 60 10 11

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 SASSA Unemployment Fund is an important assistance initiative for South Africans who are unemployed. For more information visit the official website of Sassa: https://www.sassa.gov.za

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