SASSA Grant

SASSA Relief Grant Application July 2025-2026

The South Africa Social Security Agency (SASSA) was established to manage and disburse grants to the needy and vulnerable. People however had to qualify for these various grants. One yardstick is that an applicant ought to either be a South African citizen, a permanent resident, or a refugee.

As part of the various grants, the agency offers one particular grant known as the Social Relief of Distress (SRD). This grant is also known as the “Relief Grant”. It aims to support people who were hard hit by the economic dip of the COVID-19 pandemic. Beneficiaries of this grant are given an allowance of R350 each month. This article aims to provide a guide to how to apply for this grant in the year 2025-2026.

Eligibility Criteria SASSA Social Relief Grant Application

Just like every other grant or fund, you must be certain that you qualify for the SASSA Social Relief Grant Application before you apply. Once you check for what is needed for eligibility and you are sure you qualify, you can start your application. Here is a short list of the requirements for the SASSA Relief Grant Application July 2025-2026. You must meet the following criteria:

You must be a permanent resident in South Africa or must be a citizen of South Africa.
You must be at least 18 years of age
You should be earning less than the minimum wage or have no source of income or financial support
You should not be on any other grant or any other form of social or unemployment insurance
You should not have applied for or received the SASSA R350 grant before
Once you meet all of the requirements listed, you can continue with your application process.

How to put in the SASSA Social Relief Grant Application for July 2025-2026

There are three (3) ways of applying for the Relief Grant. You can apply online, through WhatsApp or USSD. Follow the instructions below to apply for the SASSA R350 grant online:

First, open the official site of the SASSA online:
Look for the “R350 grant” link on the homepage and click on it.
If this is the first time you are applying for the grant, you will have to register first.
You register by supplying some details about yourself: These include your name, your ID number, your telephone number, and your residential address
After registration, an SMS will be sent to your number with your username and password.
Now, with the username and password given to you, you can log into your account
Go ahead and fill in the application form now by supplying the requested information such as your details, your bank details, and contact information.
Upon completing the form online, click on the “submit” button
Waiting patiently for a confirmation message

You can always check the status of your application by logging in to your account and clicking on the “check status” button.

To apply via WhatsApp, follow these instructions:

First, save the SASSA WhatsApp number (082 046 8553) to your contacts
Then, send a message to the number that says “Hi” or “Hello”
Once you do, you will receive a prompt for your application
Follow this prompt to complete your application
Now, give your banking details where you can receive your assistance.
If you don’t have a bank account, select “cash payment option”

After you submit your application, you will receive a reference number via WhatsApp that you can use to check the status of your application.

To apply via USSD;

Dial 1347737 # from your phone, you will receive prompts and you have to follow these prompts to finish up your application process.

Tips for maximizing your chances of receiving the grant:

Make sure the information you are providing is accurate and the most recent
Cross-check what you are submitting to ensure that you are not submitting errors
Make sure you qualify to apply for any grant before you even start
Keep your reference number safe and use it to check the status of your application
Contact SASSA if you have any questions or concerns about your application or the grant.

In Conclusion:

The Relief Grant is a valuable resource for unemployed South African citizens during these difficult moments. By following the application process and tips provided in this post, you can increase your chances of receiving the grant and getting the financial support you need to make it through the pandemic.