SASSA Online Application for SRD R370 (2026): How to Apply
To complete a SASSA online application for the SRD R370 grant, visit the official SASSA SRD portal, choose your applicant category and follow the instructions to submit your information. The application is free, and you do not need to pay an agent to apply.
The SRD application is intended for qualifying people in South Africa who have insufficient means to support themselves. The monthly amount remains R370 in 2026, with government funding around March 2028.
This guide explains how to apply, what information you need, how identity verification works, and what to do if something goes wrong.
This is an independent guide. Your application and personal information must be submitted through SASSA’s official website, not through this page.
Where to Apply for the SASSA SRD R370 Grant
The correct website for an SASSA SRD application is srd.sassa.gov.za. It provides access to the R370 application service for South African ID holders, asylum seekers and qualifying special permit holders.
Be careful when choosing a portal. SASSA also operates an online services system for other social grants, but that is not the starting point for this SRD application.
| Official website | What it is used for |
|---|---|
| srd.sassa.gov.za | Applying for the SRD R370 grant and accessing related SRD services |
| services.sassa.gov.za | Online services for other SASSA grants |
| www.sassa.gov.za | General SASSA information and announcements |
If you are applying for the R370 grant for the first time, begin with the SRD portal. You do not need to create an account on the general grants portal just to begin the SRD process.
Who Can Apply for the SRD R370 Grant?
To apply for the SASSA SRD R370 grant, you must meet all of the conditions below.
- Be 18 to 59 years old and currently living in South Africa.
- Be a South African citizen, permanent resident, recognised refugee, or qualifying asylum seeker or special permit holder.
- Have insufficient means and satisfy SASSA’s financial eligibility assessment.
- Not receive another social grant for yourself.
- Meet the other conditions concerning financial support, state-funded institutions and employment opportunities.
These are starting requirements, not a guarantee of approval. SASSA verifies applicants’ information and reassesses eligibility for individual payment periods.
For the detailed eligibility conditions, including the income threshold and monthly checks, see our SASSA SRD Status Check and Eligibility Guide.
What Do You Need Before Starting Your SRD Application?
A little preparation can save you from having to restart the process or correct information later.
| What to prepare | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| South African ID or qualifying permit details | SASSA needs to identify you and verify your eligibility |
| Your own active cellphone number | Used for application messages, security PINs and verification instructions |
| Correct personal information | Your details must match the relevant official records |
| Employment and financial information | Used to assess whether you qualify for assistance |
| Your banking information, if applicable | Needed for the payment arrangements offered by the service |
| Access to facial verification | New applicants must complete biometric identity verification before approval |
Use a cellphone number registered in your own name wherever possible. SASSA has specifically advised applicants to do this because the number is important for security messages and access to their applications.
Do You Need to Upload Documents?
For the standard online SRD application, SASSA states that information is submitted electronically and that applicants do not need to upload documents as part of the ordinary application process.
This does not mean verification can never be required. SASSA may request additional information during screening, and new applicants must complete facial biometric verification before approval.
Tip: Keep your official identification and relevant financial information available, but do not send copies of documents to an unofficial website or individual.
How to Apply for SASSA SRD R370 Online in 7 Steps
This step-by-step guide explains how to apply for SASSA SRD R370 online. The process is completed online, and you do not need to visit a SASSA office. In some areas, community workers or an SASSA office may offer assistance, but the online service is the recommended starting point.
Step 1: Open the Official SRD Portal
Go to https://srd.sassa.gov.za/
On the main page, find the applicant category that matches your situation. SASSA explains the service in English and a number of other languages.
Check that the website address ends in sassa.gov.za before continuing.
Step 2: Choose Your Applicant Category
Select the appropriate option:
- South African ID Holders: For applicants using a valid 13-digit South African ID number.
- Asylum Seekers and Special Permit Holders: For qualifying applicants who use the alternative identity or permit process.
Choosing the correct category matters because the identification details requested may differ.
Follow the application instructions shown for your category instead of entering a permit or file number into an unrelated ID-number field.
Step 3: Enter Your Details and Contact Information
Enter your details as they appear on your ID or official record. Do not use another person’s identification information. If you are not sure about how to name an identity detail, follow the guidance on the page rather than guessing or repeating someone else’s application.
- Full name and surname as recorded
- 13-digit South African ID number, or the relevant alternative identity or permit details for your category
- The cellphone number you use and can access
- Other personal information requested for the application
Step 4: Complete the Identity and Biometrics Process
Provide accurate information when asked. Check the spelling of your personal details, the accuracy of your cellphone number and any other details before continuing to the next stage, because the service uses the details to confirm your identity and assess your eligibility. Providing incorrect address or banking details can create one of the common reasons why a correctly made application is later declined.
Biometric verification involves the following steps:
- Use a device that supports facial verification.
- Access the identity-verification service through the official electronic process.
- Applicants must complete facial biometric verification before approval.
- Follow the instructions to finish the process.
The facial verification step is part of SASSA’s identity protection measures. It can be completed through the e-KYC service and a separate verification application.
Do not send your photograph or any identity documentation to a social media account or unofficial website.
Step 5: Provide the Application Details and Give Consent
The electronic service will request the following details and confirmations.
| Information requested | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Personal and identification details | To match the applicant with official identity records |
| Cellphone number | To communicate and support verification |
| Employment and lifestyle information | To assess whether the applicant has sufficient means |
| Banking information | To verify payment details and the intended recipient |
| Declaration and consent | To obtain the applicant’s confirmation and permission for relevant checks |
The consent process authorises SASSA to perform the required checks. It includes agreement through the declaration and consent section.
If a detail is incorrect, correct it before submitting. A different path may be required after submission.
Step 6: Review Your Information and Complete the Declaration
Once your details have been reviewed, read the declaration and consent section carefully before selecting continue.
Step 7: Submit the Application and Complete the Final Instructions
After you confirm your details, review the decision or status information shown on the screen.
Only once the electronic application has been accepted for processing will you be able to follow its progress through the official SASSA status-check service. The first step does not create a payment date.
Facial Biometric Verification (e-KYC) for New SRD Applicants
One important part of the current process is identity verification.
SASSA’s 2026 guidance states that all new applicants must complete facial biometric authentication (e-KYC) before their SRD assistance can be approved. This is intended to help confirm that applications belong to the correct people and reduce identity-related fraud.
How Does e-KYC Work?
Follow the identity-verification instructions provided through the official SRD service. The process may involve receiving or requesting a verification link and using a supported device to complete facial recognition.
SASSA provides an official e-KYC service with options for verification status, reverification and referred applications.
Do not send a selfie, identity document or verification code to an individual claiming they can approve your application faster.
What If You Don't Have a Smartphone or Internet Access?
If you cannot complete a required biometric check because you do not have suitable equipment or internet access, contact a SASSA office for assistance.
SASSA has confirmed that its local offices can assist applicants and beneficiaries with biometric verification using available facilities.
The important point is not to ignore a verification request. An otherwise eligible application may remain unable to proceed until the required identity checks are completed.
Not everyone eligible for SRD assistance uses the same identification document.
Is There a Downloadable SRD Application Form?
You may see searches for an SRD grant application form or an R350 PDF application.
For the current SRD R370 programme, use the official electronic application service. SASSA does not require applicants to download and submit a separate paper application form as the standard way to apply online.
The declaration and consent documents are available to read, but they should not be mistaken for a substitute for submitting the application through the portal.
Applying with a South African ID or Special Permit
Not everyone eligible for the SRD R370 programme uses the same identification document.
| Applicant type | Where to begin |
|---|---|
| South African citizen with a 13-digit ID | Select South African ID Holders on the official SRD portal |
| Permanent resident or recognised refugee | Follow the appropriate identification route available through SASSA |
| Qualifying asylum seeker | Use the dedicated asylum-seeker or permit-holder service |
| Qualifying special permit holder | Follow the alternative applicant process for your valid permit category |
The relevant permits and categories must satisfy the verification steps and conditions of the SRD programme.
Start here: Official SASSA SRD Portal
If your applicant category is not clear, ask SASSA for assistance through official channels instead of using an alternative applicant category.
Common SASSA SRD Application Problems and Solutions
Use this table to find out what may be happening and what to do next.
If you identify a concern from the outset, you may be able to avoid delays or a declined application.
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| SMS PIN or OTP not received | Confirm the cellphone number on file is correct. Request another PIN if the official service offers this option. |
| ID or personal information rejected | Check the details match the official records. Correct any errors through the appropriate official service. |
| Portal indicates that there is an existing application | Don’t submit duplicate applications without checking what happened to the original. |
| Registered cellphone number is no longer available | Use SASSA’s official mobile-number update service and follow any identity-verification requirements. |
| Application page won’t load | Retry using another browser or connection. Avoid unofficial lookalike application websites. |
| Bank account cannot be verified | Confirm the account details are accurate and the account belongs to you. Follow SASSA’s banking verification instructions. |
| Facial verification cannot be completed | Follow the official e-KYC instructions or seek assistance from a SASSA office. |
| No confirmation after submission | Check whether the application was successfully submitted before attempting to start again. Contact SASSA if you remain unsure. |
What If Someone Has Already Applied Using Your ID?
If you did not apply for any SRD grant, and you discover that someone may have applied for you or for somebody else using your ID number, report the situation to SASSA and seek information about the existing application.
The SASSA helpline is 0800 60 10 11, and applicants may also contact SASSA online.
If an existing application has had its cellphone number changed without permission, SASSA also provides an unauthorised cellphone-number change reporting service.
R350 or R370: Which SRD Grant Should You Apply For?
The R350 and R370 names refer to the same SRD assistance programme, not two different grants that require separate applications.
The amount increased from R350 to R370 in April 2024, and R370 remains the current monthly amount for qualifying beneficiaries in 2026.
If you previously searched for an R350 application online, you should now use the official SRD R370 application service.
There is no separate new application for the old R350 amount.
What Happens After Submitting Your SRD Application?
After submission, SASSA checks the information provided and determines whether you meet the requirements for assistance.
Your application can move through several stages before a monthly decision is available. Identity verification, eligibility checks and payment arrangements may require further action.
Three things are worth remembering:
- Submitted does not mean approved. Your information must still be assessed.
- Approval does not guarantee immediate payment. Payment processing and verification are separate steps.
- Monthly decisions may differ. Eligibility is checked for individual payment periods.
Once you have applied, use our SASSA Status Check guide to learn how to access your application result, understand the different status messages and find any available payment information.
If SASSA declines your application for a particular month, review the reason before deciding whether to submit an appeal through the official service.
Frequently Asked Questions About the SRD R370 Application
Yes. Applying for the SRD R370 grant is free. You may still incur ordinary internet or mobile-network costs, but no agent should charge you for a guaranteed application approval.
New applications don’t need to be lodged in every payment period, according to SASSA (verified through Information). The process of entering your initial details is described in the guide above. Applications may also be reassessed each month without a separate application, but don’t confuse that with the standard application process. You should also refer to the eligibility section at the beginning of this article for information on monthly verification requirements.
The number should be your own active cellphone number. However, if the number is activated by someone else, you can’t use their number. You should use the number listed under your own name.
Yes — but only with someone you trust. Nevertheless, do not provide your ID number or identity documentation to an individual who claims that you are approved.
Older government information mentions WhatsApp and USSD application channels, but those instructions may no longer reflect the services currently available.
For a new application in 2026, the safest starting point is the officially published SRD online portal. Do not rely on an old USSD code or an unverified WhatsApp contact.
First, find out why SASSA declined the relevant month. If you believe the decision is incorrect, you can use the official SRD appeals service. A declined decision should not automatically lead you to submit another application. The appropriate action depends on the reason for the outcome.
Ready to Apply?
The best way to complete your SASSA online application for SRD R370 is to use the government’s official portal, provide accurate information and complete the verification steps requested.
Already submitted your application? Visit our SASSA Status Check homepage for guidance on checking your status.
Official information reviewed: 12 November 2026. Primary sources: SASSA SRD Portal, SASSA Main Website and South African Government.