SASSA Grant

Sassa Unemployment Grant How To Apply 2025-2026

Welcome to a world of opportunities! The SASSA Unemployment Grant is intended to provide financial help to jobless persons in need of assistance. If you are currently jobless and believe you would benefit from this grant, you have come to the right spot.

This article will help you through the basic stages of applying for the SASSA Unemployment Grant, ensuring you have all of the information you need to complete the application process.

READ HERE: How To Apply for Sassa Social Relief Grant 2025-2026

Sassa Unemployment Grant How To Apply 2025-2026

SASSA unemployment grant is given to qualified South Africans who are currently not working and has no source of income to cater for their basic needs.

STEP 1: Determine Your Qualification

All applicants must ensure that meet the qualification criteria determined by SASSA. To apply, you must meet these qualifications before you can be considered for the unemployment grant. The general eligibility requirement includes;

You must settle within South Africa
You must be a Citizen of South Africa
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 a income of R624 or less per month
You must be jobless and NOT be receiving financial aid 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 be unreasonably refuse to accept employment or educational opportunities
You must NOT be receiving a salary from NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme).

STEP 2: Gather Legal Papers

Sassa requires certified copies of some documents to confirm the provided information for the grant,therefore applicants must have in possession of these documents before attempting to apply for the 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: Select An Application Method

Sassa unemployment Grant applications can be submitted via WhatsApp, the SRD website, or the SASSA Chatbot. You should only apply using one way,however, submitting several applications will not speed up the process and may even slow it down.

Select one of theses methods:

WhatsApp:

Send a message via WhatsApp to 082 046 8553
Provide your personal details
You will receive a Reference number, an OTP and 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 your personal details that you provided via the WhatsApp chat

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.

Know Your Application Status 2025-2026

Once you have submitted your application for the unemployment grant, you may be anxious to know whether your application was declined or accepted for the grant. You can check the status of you application through these methods:

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

Unemployment grant Status Meaning

The below are the various terms use to define the status of your application for a grant for SASSA.

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.

Reapplication pending:

this means a reapplication has not been received. Applicants should submit their application

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 pay day 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, how to apply for reconsideration).