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Avoid Delays in Your SASSA SRD Grant Application: Why Your Registered Cell Number Matters
Simple mistakes are causing big delays, here’s how to avoid them.
If you’ve applied for the SASSA R370 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, you know that patience is part of the process. But lately, many South Africans have been left waiting longer than expected and it’s not always SASSA’s fault. The agency says one of the biggest reasons for payment delays is surprisingly simple: using the wrong cellphone number.
SASSA’s Reminder: Use Your Own Registered Number
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is reminding applicants that the cellphone number they use to apply must be registered in their own name.
Speaking on behalf of SASSA Mpumalanga, Senzeni Ngubeni explained that both your phone number and banking details are key to ensuring a smooth application process.
“All applicants and beneficiaries must be aware that using their own number helps monitor and check the progress of the application and receive notifications from the Agency that might need attention,” Ngubeni said.
These notifications are not just status updates, they’re essential messages about verification steps that confirm your identity before payment. If those messages go to the wrong person or number, your grant could be delayed or even rejected.
Verification: Protecting You and Your Grant
Verification may feel like red tape, but it’s actually your best protection against fraud. Ngubeni noted that the process ensures the grant is paid to the right person and prevents scammers from hijacking payments.
When your banking details don’t match your ID, the system automatically flags the payment for review and that’s where the delays come in.
Once your details are verified and confirmed, your grant will be processed in the next pay cycle. But if something doesn’t add up, like using a number registered to someone else or an unverified bank account, you could be waiting for weeks.
Why Many Applicants Still Struggle
This issue is more common than people realise. Across social media, frustrated applicants have been voicing concerns about “pending verification” statuses or months-long waits. In many cases, those delays trace back to one small mistake, using a SIM card that isn’t RICA’d under their own name.
It’s especially common in rural and township areas where families share phones or use one number for multiple applications. While convenient, this practice makes it harder for SASSA to confirm who actually owns the account.
How to Make Sure Your Application Goes Smoothly
If you haven’t applied yet or if your grant has been delayed, here’s how to get it right:
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Use a SIM card registered in your name. If your phone number isn’t RICA’d to your ID, update it before applying.
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Double-check your banking details. Make sure your account name matches your ID exactly.
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Keep your number active. SASSA sends important messages about your verification and payment status.
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Don’t share your details. Avoid using someone else’s phone or bank account, even a family member’s.
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Apply only on the official SASSA website: https://srd.sassa.gov.za.
When you visit the site, select whether you’re a South African ID holder or an Asylum Seeker/Special Permit holder, and follow the prompts to complete your application.
A Word of Caution
With the SRD grant being a vital lifeline for millions, scammers have been known to prey on desperate applicants through fake links and “verification” messages. SASSA will never ask for personal banking details via SMS or WhatsApp. Always verify information through the official site or social media pages.
The R370 SRD grant, introduced during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, continues to support over 8 million South Africans monthly. For many, it’s the only form of income while searching for work or rebuilding after the economic fallout of recent years.
Ensuring payments go to the right person isn’t just about admin, it’s about protecting livelihoods.
A small detail like a cellphone number might seem minor, but in the world of SASSA applications, it can make or break your payment. If you want to avoid unnecessary delays, make sure your information, especially your number and banking details, is correct and registered in your name.
Because sometimes, getting your R370 on time starts with something as simple as a single phone call.
{Source: IOL}
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