In the realm of social assistance, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) R350 relief grant has been a vital lifeline for many individuals facing economic hardships.
However, what happens when your application is not approved, or you believe there has been an error in the decision?
This is where the SASSA R350 status appeal process comes into play—a crucial avenue for those seeking to rectify their grant status.
In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the intricacies of how to check your SASSA R350 status and, if necessary initiate an appeal.
What is SASSA R350?
SASSA R350 is a social relief grant provided by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) to assist unemployed individuals who are struggling to make ends meet.
The grant was introduced in May 2020 as a temporary measure to provide financial support to those who lost their jobs or income due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The grant provides a monthly payment of R350 (South African Rand) to eligible applicants for a period of six months.
The grant is meant to provide temporary relief to those who are unemployed and do not receive any other form of income or social grant.
The idea behind the SASSA R350 grant is to provide a safety net for those who are most vulnerable during times of economic hardship.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the South African economy, resulting in job losses and reduced income for many individuals and families.
The grant is intended to provide some financial relief to those who are struggling to make ends meet, while also stimulating economic activity by increasing spending power.
The grant has been extended several times since its introduction, and as of September 2023, it is still available to eligible applicants.
To apply for the SASSA R350 grant, individuals must meet certain criteria, including being a South African citizen or permanent resident, being unemployed, and not receiving any other form of income or social grant.
SASSA R350 eligibility criteria
To be eligible for this grant, applicants must meet the following criteria;
1. Applicants must be South African citizens, permanent residents, or refugees who are registered on the Home Affairs database and are currently residing within the borders of South Africa.
2. Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 59 years old.
3. Applicants must not be receiving any form of income, including UIF, NSFAS or any other government-funded financial assistance.
4. Applicants must not have any form of financial support from any other source, including family members or other social grants.
5. Applicants must have a bank account or be willing to open one, as the grant will be paid directly into the bank account.
6. Applicants must apply for the grant through the SASSA online portal or at their nearest SASSA office.
It is important to note that the SRD grant is a temporary measure introduced to assist individuals who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The grant is subject to review and may be extended or terminated based on the prevailing economic conditions in the country.
How to check SASSA R350 status appeal
To check your SASSA R350 status appeal, follow the steps below;
- Make sure you have the ID number and the phone number when you call SASSA’s toll free number 0800601011
- SASSA can also check the status of your SASSA R350 appeal or reconsideration
- In order to verify your ownership of the account, they may inquire a few times
- You will receive an update on the status of your appeal or reconsideration application, as well as instructions on what you need to do to receive your grant
However, it is important to note that SASSA’s hotline is very busy, so you may have to wait a while for your call to be answered.
In the event that they aren’t picking up or the line is busy, you should keep calling.
Impact of SASSA R350 grant
In March 2023, there were 18,829,716 social grant recipients, excluding the R350 SRD grant.
In 2022, 10.5 million people received the R350 grant per month.
South Africa has one of the world’s most expansive social grant systems, with 47% of the population relying on a monthly grant.
Of these, 18 million are permanent beneficiaries and about 10 million receive a temporary Social Relief of Distress Grant.
More than 20 million people relied on the SRD grant in 2022.
Additionally, South Africans receiving government grants increased from 2.5 million in the 1990s to 29 million in 2022.
The COVID-19 SRD special grant of R350 supports an average of 10 million citizens monthly.