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This guide will show you how to apply for SASSA online under the new rules. Since the Coronavirus pandemic has settled and lockdowns have eased, there have been some changes in how the SRD R370 Grant is managed. If you are yet to submit your application, the below information should help you.

The Special Relief of Distress (SRD) R350 grant is still managed by SASSA, the South Africa Social Security Agency and is now due to end in March 2025. This means there is still plenty of time to benefit from the grant. Each month, SASSA R370 grant reapplications are available for those who are eligible.

In order to be eligible for the SRD R370 grant, you must meet the below criteria:

• Must be a South African Citizen, Refugee, Asylum Seeker or Special Permit Holder
• You must be between the ages of 18 and 60 years old
• The grant is only available for those who have insufficient means, you must not be receiving social grants on behalf of anyone and must not be contributing to or eligible for UIF payment
• You should also have no financial support from any other source

To apply for SASSA online

1. Go to the SASSA website at srd.sassa.gov.za
2. Navigate to the “How do I apply for this SRD Grant” section
3. Click on the ‘click here to apply online’ button
4. Enter your mobile number and click ‘Send SMS’ button
5. You will then be sent a OTP (One time pin) to your cellphone
6. Enter this number into the online form
7. You can then continue the application process by completing the remaining fields

How to apply for the SASSA Application on WhatsApp

1. Add 082 046 8553 as a contact on your cellphone
2. Go to WhatsApp and send a message to the new contact typing ‘hi’
3. You will receive an automated response, respond to this typing ‘help’
4. You will be provided a number of options, reply typing the number ‘4’
5. You will then receive the Sassa platform message, reply to this with ‘SRD’
6. Confirm whether you’re applying for yourself or on behalf of someone else
7. You can now begin the application
8. Submit your name, surname and ID number in the message
9. You will receive a message on Whatsapp with the next steps

For your SRD grant application to be considered, you must grant consent for SASSA to verify your identification, residency, income, and social security benefits. In order to do this, you must accept the declaration and consent forms.

Please note that SASSA strongly recommends that you submit just one application, it will not speed up the process if you submit multiple applications across different platforms and may cause delays.

SASSA should approve or reject all SRD grant applications received before the 15th of the month. You can check your Sassa status online.  You should also receive an SMS to confirm if you have been approved or rejected.

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