SASSA Grant R370 – How to Apply and Track Approval

If you are unemployed or facing financial distress and not receiving other social grants, the SRD (Social Relief of Distress) grant, commonly referred to as the “R370 grant” may be available to you. 

In 2025, SASSA has published updated processes for applying and checking status. 

This article explains eligibility, the application steps, how to track approval, and what to do next.

What is the SRD / R370 Grant and who is eligible?

The SRD grant is a monthly payment by SASSA aimed at adults who have lost income or are unable to work, and who do not receive other permanent social grants. 

The typical amount is R370 per month.

Eligibility criteria include:

1. Being a South African citizen, permanent resident, or recognised refugee/asylum permit holder.
2. Being between roughly 18 and 59 years old (older persons generally qualify for other grants).
3. Not receiving any other social grant for yourself (child grants for children may not disqualify you).
4. Having no regular income, or your household income/assets must fall under the thresholds set by SASSA.
5. Not living permanently in a government-funded institution.

Before you apply, ensure you meet these criteria.

How do you apply for the SRD / R370 Grant in 2025?

The application process for the SRD grant is mainly online, which makes it faster and more convenient. Here’s how:

1. Visit the official SRD portal at srd.sassa.gov.za.
2. Select your category (South African ID holder or asylum/refugee permit holder).
3. Enter your South African ID number (or permit/file number) and your mobile phone number.
4. Accept the terms, then verify your number via the SMS sent to you.
5. Provide the required details: personal info, banking or payment method, income/assets status, residence.
6. Submit the application and note down your application reference ID if provided.

You will receive confirmation that your application was received.

How can you track your application and approval status?

After applying, you’ll want to monitor the status to know whether you’ve been approved, whether more information is required, or whether you’ll be paid and when. 

Here are the ways:

1. Online Status Check: Go to the SRD portal, click “Check Status,” enter your ID and registered cell number.
2. WhatsApp: Save the number 082 046 8553, send “STATUS” and follow prompts to check your SRD grant status.
3. USSD / Dial-in: From your registered number dial 1203210# (or the current code) and follow prompts for “SASSA R370 Status”.
4. Call Centre: Use the toll-free number 0800 60 10 11 from the phone you used in your application.

Using these you can track whether your application is approved, pending, or declined, and whether your payment date is assigned.

What do the status results mean and what to do next?

When you check your status, you may see:

1. Approved: Your application succeeded. You’ll be paid in the upcoming cycle. Make sure your banking/payment method details are correct.
2. Pending / Under Review: SASSA is still verifying your data (income, banking, ID). You may need to wait or update missing information.
3. Declined / Rejected: Your application did not meet eligibility or there were errors. Review the reason and see if you can appeal.
4. Banking Details Pending: You may be approved but payment is delayed because your account details are incomplete or incorrect. You should update your banking info.

Knowing what the result means helps you respond appropriately—update details, appeal, or wait.

When and how will you receive payment once approved?

Once approved, you don’t receive your payment immediately on the same day usually. 

Payment happens within the scheduled window for the month. For the SRD grant:

1. SASSA processes payments in a window rather than a single fixed day, often toward the end of the month.
2. The exact payday for you depends on when you were batch-processed and whether your banking info is verified.
3. Funds will go either to your bank account (if you provided valid banking details) or to designated pay points / retail partners if you chose that method.

Check your status for the payday notice, then monitor your bank or pay-point around that date.

What should you watch out for and update to avoid delays?

To prevent delays or denials:

1. Use the cell phone number you applied with—changing it may cause issues.
2. Ensure your bank account is in your name, active and able to receive payments.
3. Make sure your ID number, banking details, income/assets info are correct with no typos.
4. If you’ve been approved but you haven’t been paid, double-check that your bank details are correct and update if needed.
5. If your status remains “Pending” for too long (60-90 days is mentioned in some reports) you may follow up with SASSA.

Can you appeal or reapply if your application is declined?

Yes. If your application is declined:

1. You may appeal using the SRD portal by selecting the Appeal option, entering your ID, phone number, and providing reasons/documents.
2. You may also reapply in a subsequent month if you meet eligibility conditions.
3. Make sure to correct any mistakes (banking details, income info, etc.) before reapplying.