The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) offers the R350 Special Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant to help unemployed South Africans experiencing financial hardship.
Unfortunately, not all applications are successful.
If your SASSA R350 grant application was declined, this article can help you understand the reasons and guide you on the next steps.
Why Your Sassa R350 Grant Application Might Have Been Declined
There are several reasons why SASSA might decline your R350 grant application.
Here are some of the most common reasons:
- Income Threshold: The SASSA R350 grant is intended for unemployed South Africans with limited financial means. If SASSA finds evidence of an income source exceeding a specific threshold (around R624 per month in your bank account), your application may be rejected. This includes income from employment, other SASSA grants, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), or the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF).
- Verification Issues: SASSA verifies your application details against various government databases, including the Department of Home Affairs. If there are any discrepancies with your ID number, banking information, or residential address, your application could be flagged and declined.
- Age Restrictions: The R350 grant has specific age limitations. Applicants must be between 18 and 59 years old at the time of application. Applications from individuals outside this age range will be automatically rejected.
- Deceased Record: If you are registered as deceased in the Department of Home Affairs database, your application will be rejected.
- Duplicate Applications: Submitting multiple applications for the R350 grant is not allowed. If SASSA detects duplicate applications, they will likely decline all of them.
How to Check Your SASSA R350 Application Status
You can conveniently check the status of your R350 grant application online using the SASSA SRD website. Here’s how:
- Visit the SASSA SRD website.
- Click on the “Application Status” tab.
- Enter your ID number and cellphone number used during the application process.
- Click “Submit.”
The website will display your application status as “Approved,” “Pending,” or “Declined.”
What to do when your SASSA R350 Application is Declined
If you believe your application was wrongly declined, you have the right to appeal the decision.
SASSA allows applicants to lodge an appeal within a specific timeframe (usually 30 days) after receiving the decline notification.
This is how to appeal a declined SASSA R350 grant application:
- Visit the SASSA SRD website: https://srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/status.
- Click on the “Appeals” tab.
- Enter your ID number and cellphone number.
- Click “Submit.”
- Follow the on-screen instructions to lodge your appeal. You will be prompted to provide a clear and concise explanation for why you believe your application was wrongly declined. Supplying any relevant supporting documents that strengthen your case is highly recommended.
How Long Does it Take to Get Feedback on a SASSA R350 Appeal?
The processing time for SASSA R350 grant appeals can vary depending on the workload.
It normally takes between 30 to 60 days to receive a response on your appeal status.
You can check the progress of your appeal by following the same steps mentioned earlier for checking your application status.
How to contact the SASSA R350 Grant?
SASSA provides comprehensive information about the R350 grant application process, eligibility criteria, and frequently asked questions (FAQs) on their official website.
Additionally, the SASSA toll-free helpline (0800 601 011) is available for inquiries and assistance.