Your SASSA SRD R370 grant status says “Pending” and you need answers. Over 9 million South Africans depend on this grant monthly. Here is what it means, why it happens, and exactly what to do.
How to Fix a SASSA Pending Status? (Quick Answer)
To fix a SASSA pending status, check your SRD application for errors, submit missing documents, update banking details, and contact SASSA at 0800 60 10 11. Use the SRD website, WhatsApp (082 046 8553), or visit an office to resolve issues quickly.
What Does SASSA Pending Status Mean?
Pending means the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) received your Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant application and is still reviewing it. Your details are being checked across multiple government databases. It is not a rejection.
Why Is Your SASSA Status Still Pending?
SASSA runs checks on every application before approving or declining it. These are the main reasons your status stays pending:
Identity check with the Department of Home Affairs (DHA):
SASSA verifies your ID number and name against DHA records. Any mismatch — even a spelling error — blocks this check immediately.
Income check through SARS:
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) confirms your earnings. If you earn more than R624 per month, your application will not proceed.
UIF cross-check:
The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) confirms whether you are receiving unemployment benefits. If you are, SASSA will not approve your SRD grant alongside it.
NSFAS verification:
If the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) records show you as an active funding recipient, you do not qualify for the SRD grant at the same time.
Bank account confirmation:
Your bank must confirm your account is active and in your name. Banks like FNB, Absa, Nedbank, Standard Bank, Capitec, and TymeBank are all accepted. This process sits outside SASSA’s hands and takes extra time.
High application volume:
With 32.9% unemployment in 2025 per Statistics South Africa, SASSA processes millions of applications monthly. The backlog is significant.
Incorrect or incomplete details:
A wrong ID number, old phone number, or missing bank information stops verification entirely.
How Long Does SASSA Pending Last?
SASSA pending status has no fixed timeline. It can clear in a few days or stretch into several months. Your application volume, active verification checks with the Department of Home Affairs, SARS, and your bank, plus system load, all affect how fast SASSA processes your file.
How to Fix Your SASSA Pending Status?
1. Check Your Details on the SRD Portal
Log in at srd.sassa.gov.za using your South African ID number and registered phone number. Confirm:
- Your ID number matches your physical ID document
- Your name is correctly spelled
- Your phone number is still active
- Your bank details are current
Fix any errors before doing anything else, these are the most common cause of long pending periods.
2. Submit Outstanding Documents
If SASSA requested documents, your application will not move until you provide them. Upload through the SRD portal:
- A bank statement no older than 3 months
- Proof of residence — utility bill, lease agreement, or affidavit
- A certified copy of your South African ID
3. Update Your Payment Method
Outdated bank details delay payment confirmation. Update them on srd.sassa.gov.za. If you do not have a bank account, use the cash send option and collect your grant at Pick n Pay, Shoprite, or Checkers.
4. Contact SASSA Directly
If your details are correct and documents are submitted but nothing has changed, reach out:
- Toll-free: 0800 60 10 11 — free, Monday to Friday
- Email: [email protected]
- WhatsApp: Save 082 046 8553, send “SASSA” and your ID number
Have your ID number and application reference number ready — SASSA sent this via SMS when you first applied.
5. Visit a SASSA Office
If calls and messages have not helped, go in person. Bring your South African ID, your application reference number, and any outstanding documents. Staff can open your file directly and fix what the portal cannot.
6. Track Your Status for Free
Check your application anytime without visiting an office:
- WhatsApp: Send your ID number to 082 046 8553
- USSD: Dial *120*69277# or *120*3210# no data needed
- Moya App: Zero-data app available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store
What If Your Status Changes to Declined?
A declined status means SASSA found you ineligible. Common reasons include income above R624, active UIF or NSFAS payments, age outside 18 to 59 years, or a DHA records mismatch.
You can appeal. Submit your appeal within 90 days of the decline at srd.sassa.gov.za. Include bank statements, corrected details, or proof of residency. Track your appeal online or call 0800 60 10 11.
SRD R370 Grant Eligibility
You qualify if you are a South African citizen, permanent resident, or registered refugee, aged 18 to 59, earn under R624 per month, receive no SASSA grant, UIF, or NSFAS funding, and currently live in South Africa.
Final Word
A pending SASSA status is a review in progress, not a dead end. Fix your details on the SRD portal, submit requested documents, and update your payment method. Past 90 days, call 0800 60 10 11, WhatsApp 082 046 8553, or visit your nearest SASSA office with your ID and reference number.