Apply for R350 SASSA Grant Online, Apply for the R350 SASSA Grant on WhatsApp. South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) Grant

COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the normal economic system and there is no doubt about it. This resulted in many people losing their jobs and other sources of livelihoods. Therefore, the South African Government through SASSA (South African Social Security Agency) introduced the R350 grant as part of the COVID-19 Social Relief Of Distress Fund. The money is disbursed monthly and can be collected at various points across South Africa. Applications for the R350 SASSA Social relief of distress grants are now open. Now the question is, “How to apply for the R350 SASSA Grant?”

How to Apply for R350 SASSA Grant Online;

Apply for social relief of distress at your nearest South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) office.

Submit your R350 SASSA Grant application with the following documents:

• your 13-digit bar-coded identity document and your children’s birth certificates. 
• if your identity document and/or a birth certificate are not available:
• an affidavit commissioned by a Justice of the Peace. The affidavit must contain a clause which indicates that provision of incorrect or inaccurate information will result in prosecution in terms of Section 21 of the Social Assistance Act, 2004. 
• a sworn statement by a reputable person who knows the applicant and the child. This may be from a councillor, traditional leader, social worker or minister of religion. 
• proof that an application for a birth certificate or identity document has been lodged with the Department of Home Affairs. 
• where applicable, a temporary identity document issued by the Department of Home Affairs. 

1. a baptismal certificate. 
2. a road to health clinic card. 
3. a school report.

please note: No application can be processed without the sworn statement/affidavit.

If you do not have an identity document and birth certificates, an affidavit from your local police station, chief, councillor or religious leader may be enough proof.

• Show proof that you have applied for a grant 
• have had an emergency (e.g. provide a police report that your house burnt down)
• have tried to get maintenance 
• have no other support 
• are married, divorced, or single 
• have no income 
• have a short-term medical disability.

Related: Click here to Apply For SRD SASSA Reconsideration | Check status

How long does it take

 

• Your application will be processed immediately.
• Once your application is submitted, it will be assessed for credibility and your genuine need for the service. 
• Even if you do not have all the documents, you will get your first month’s food parcel, voucher or cash. 
• Remember to take all the documents to the officer before the second month’s payment is due. If you do not, you may not get your second and third month’s food parcel, voucher or cash. 
• If there is no change in your circumstances after you have received the grant for three months, you may apply to have the grant extended for another three months. 

How to apply for the R350 SASSA Grant on WhatsApp

• Step 1: Simply save the following number on your mobile phone +270820468553
• Step 2: Send a message Sassa to the number you saved as instructed above via WhatsApp
• Step 3: When you receive a message reply with the word SRD.
• Step 4: You will then receive a message giving you two options on whether you are applying for yourself or someone else. So it is up to you to choose either option 1 or option 2.
• Step 5: The next message will ask you to provide your full name, so you will have to answer by giving your FULL NAME (Provide Full name both your first name and last name as it appears on your ID)
• Step 6: After that, reply with your SURNAME only.
• Step 7: You will receive a link containing terms and conditions of the grant. If you agree with the terms and conditions please respond with a YES. If you do not agree reply with a NO.
• Step 8: You will then be required to reply with your HOME ADDRESS or for simplicity share your home location pin.
• Step 9: The next message will require to select your citizen status

How much does it cost

• The service is free.

Forms to complete

• The application form is not available online, but you can get it at your nearest SASSA office. 

About applying for social relief of distress

Social relief of distress is temporary provision of assistance intended for persons in such a dire material need that they are unable to meet their families’ most basic needs.

This could be due to any of the following factors:

• you need help while you wait for your children’s grants to be processed
• a crisis or disaster has occurred (e.g. your house has burnt down) 
• you do not qualify for a grant, and you are in a desperate situation 
• you are unable to work for a period of less than six month because you are medically unfit 
• you are unable to get maintenance from the other parent of your child or children 
• the breadwinner in the family has died 
• the breadwinner has been sent to prison for a short time (less than six months) 
• you have been affected by a disaster, but the area or community in which you live has not been declared a disaster area.

What do you get?

The Social Relief of Distress may be in the form of a food parcel or a voucher to buy food. Some provinces give this assistance in the form of cash. Social Relief of Distress is given for a short time only – usually for up to three months, which may be extended for another three months.

For information please visit https://www.gov.za/coronavirus/socialgrants