What is a SASSA Appeal?

A SASSA appeal is a formal request to the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) to review and reconsider a declined or unfairly processed grant application. If your application for a social grant—such as the SRD R350, Child Support Grant, Disability Grant, or Older Persons Grant—was rejected, you have the right to challenge that decision by submitting an appeal.

The appeal process allows you to provide additional information or correct any errors that may have caused your application to be denied. It’s a vital step for many South Africans who rely on government assistance and cannot afford to lose out on support due to technical errors or inaccurate data.

There are different reasons why a SASSA grant might be declined. These include mismatched personal details, outdated employment status, UIF payments, or failing the means test. In such cases, a SASSA appeal gives you a second chance to correct the issue and potentially get approved.

Each type of grant has its own appeal procedure, but most appeals—especially for the SRD R350—must be submitted online via the DSD appeals portal within 30 days of receiving a rejection.

Tip: You must submit a new appeal for every month your application is declined, even if the reason remains the same.

 Suggested Image Placement:

1. Infographic or diagram explaining what a SASSA appeal is and who it applies to (SRD, Child Support, etc.).
2. Screenshot of a rejection message from the SASSA status check to show a real-life example of when an appeal might be needed.
3. Flowchart of the appeal process: Application → Declined → Appeal → Outcome (Approved/Still Declined).

Who is Eligible to Submit a SASSA Appeal?

Not everyone can submit a SASSA appeal, but if your application for a grant has been unfairly declined, you may qualify to challenge that decision. The eligibility for submitting an appeal depends on your grant type and the reason for rejection.

Below is a breakdown of who can lodge a sassa appeal:

1. Applicants Who Were Declined for the SRD R350 Grant

If your SRD (Social Relief of Distress) R350 grant was declined for a specific month, you are eligible to appeal for that month only. You must submit a separate appeal for each declined month within 30 days of receiving the rejection notification.

Common reasons for SRD declines that can be appealed:

2. Applicants Rejected for Other SASSA Grants

You may also qualify to submit a SASSA appeal if you were declined for any of the following:

Appeals for these grant types typically require additional documentation and may need to be lodged at your nearest SASSA office.

3. You Must Meet These Conditions:

Important: You cannot submit a SASSA appeal if your application was never submitted, or if it was rejected due to permanent disqualification (such as confirmed employment or income above the threshold).

How to Submit a SASSA Appeal Online (Step-by-Step Guide)

If your grant application was declined, you still have the chance to fix it by submitting a SASSA appeal online. The process is simple and can be done from your phone or computer in just a few minutes.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you submit your sassa appeal the right way:

Step 1: Go to the Official Appeals Website

Visit the official SASSA appeal website:
https://srd.dsd.gov.za

This is the only platform where SRD R350 appeals can be submitted and tracked.

Step 2: Enter Your ID Number and Mobile Number

On the landing page, scroll down to the appeals login section. Enter:

Click “Send Pin”.

Step 3: Verify the OTP Code Sent to Your Phone

You will receive a 6-digit PIN via SMS. Enter the code in the field provided to verify your identity and continue.

Step 4: Choose the Month You Want to Appeal

Once logged in, you’ll see a list of months where your application was declined.

Click on the month you want to appeal and select the reason for your appeal from the dropdown options. Be honest and accurate.

Step 5: Submit the Appeal

After selecting your reason, click “Submit Appeal” to finalize the process.

You will see a confirmation message on your screen. Your appeal will now be reviewed by the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals (ITSAA).

Important Notes:

What Happens Next?

Once your sassa appeal is submitted:

How to Track Your SASSA Appeal Status

After submitting your SASSA appeal, it’s important to regularly check the status to see whether it’s been approved, declined, or is still under review. Fortunately, tracking your appeal is quick and easy through the official online portal.

Here’s how you can track your SASSA appeal status step by step:

Step 1: Visit the SASSA Appeal Website

Go to the official appeal tracking portal:
https://srd.dsd.gov.za

This is where all SRD R350 appeal updates are managed. Make sure you only use the official site to avoid scams.

Step 2: Enter Your ID and Cellphone Number

• Enter your South African ID number
• Enter the mobile number you used when applying

Click on “Send Pin” to receive a one-time password (OTP).

Step 3: Verify Your Identity with the OTP

You will receive a 6-digit PIN via SMS. Enter this code on the website to log in securely.

Step 4: View Your Appeal Status

Once logged in, you’ll see a list of the months for which you submitted appeals. Each month will have a status next to it, such as:

Things to Keep in Mind:

Pro Tip:

Set a reminder to check your SASSA appeal status at least once a week to stay updated and act quickly if any issues come up.

Common Reasons Why SASSA Appeals Get Rejected

Even after submitting a SASSA appeal, there’s still a chance it could be rejected. Understanding the most common reasons for appeal rejections can help you avoid mistakes and improve your chances of success next time.

Here are the main reasons why a sassa appeal may be declined:

 1. Incorrect or False Information

Providing inaccurate personal details—such as your ID number, name, or banking info—can lead to your appeal being rejected. Any mismatch with government databases (like Home Affairs or SARS) will raise red flags.

 2. UIF or Income Detected

If the system picks up recent payments from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) or income through SARS, your appeal may be denied. This is because the SRD grant is only for unemployed individuals with no source of income.

Even if you received a single payment, it may still affect your appeal outcome.

 3. Missed the 30-Day Appeal Window

All SASSA appeals must be submitted within 30 days of receiving a rejection notice. If you miss this deadline, the system automatically rejects late submissions, no matter the reason.

 4. Already Receiving Another Government Grant

If you’re receiving another SASSA grant (like a Disability or Child Support Grant), and you apply for the SRD R350, your sassa appeal will likely be rejected due to double-dipping restrictions.

 5. Bank Balance or Transactions Above Threshold

If your bank records show regular deposits or a balance above R624 (as per the SRD means test), your application will be flagged. The appeal will be declined if you don’t meet the financial criteria.

 6. Repeating the Same Rejection Without Fixing the Issue

If you submit the same appeal every month without addressing the issue (like an incorrect income status or unresolved UIF flag), your SASSA appeal will keep getting declined. It’s important to correct the problem before reappealing.

Tip: Always review the rejection reason carefully before submitting a new appeal. Make sure your documents, bank details, and personal info are up to date and accurate.

 

What to Do If Your SASSA Appeal Is Still Declined

If your SASSA appeal has been declined, it can be frustrating—but it’s not always the end of the road. Depending on the reason for the rejection, you may still have options to correct the issue, request a review, or get more help.

Here’s what you can do next:

1. Check the Reason for Decline

Log in to the SASSA appeal portal and carefully read the reason provided for the rejection. This will help you understand if the issue is:

2. Update Your Personal or Financial Information

If your appeal was declined due to outdated or incorrect details (like old bank info or income status), update your records on the SASSA website before submitting a new application or query.

3. Submit a New Appeal (If Applicable)

You can submit a new SASSA appeal for the next month if your circumstances have changed or the issue was fixed. Each month is treated separately, so you have another chance to be approved.

Example: If your May appeal was declined due to income, but you lost that income in June, you can appeal again for June.

4. Request a Review from the Independent Tribunal

If you believe your appeal was unfairly denied, you can request a formal review from the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals (ITSAA). This step gives you the opportunity to explain your case and submit supporting documents.

To contact the ITSAA, you can:

• Email: appeals@sassa.gov.za
• Call SASSA on 0800 60 10 11

5. Visit Your Nearest SASSA Office

If your issue remains unresolved, visit a local SASSA branch with your:

An officer can guide you through further steps or help escalate your case.

 Final Note:

Keep a copy of all communication and appeal reference numbers. If your circumstances change, reapply or appeal again as soon as possible—don’t miss the 30-day deadline for any future months.

Conclusion

Submitting a SASSA appeal can be the key to unlocking much-needed financial support if your grant application has been unfairly declined. Whether you’re applying for the SRD R350 or any other social grant, understanding the appeal process—and acting quickly—can make all the difference.

Always make sure your personal and financial details are accurate, follow the correct steps online, and appeal within the 30-day window. If your appeal is unsuccessful, don’t give up—request a review or try again in the next cycle if your circumstances change.

By staying informed and persistent, you increase your chances of receiving the help you need from SASSA.

Need to appeal or check your status now? Visit srd.dsd.gov.za to get started.

SASSA Appeal FAQs