Last Updated on November 27, 2023 by Elidge Staff

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How to Apply for the Special COVID-19 SRD Grant via SASSA Chatbot and Other Methods

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has provided multiple channels for South Africans to apply for the Special COVID-19 SRD Grant. The grant is designed to provide temporary relief for people who have lost their income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this article, we will guide you through the process of applying for the SRD grant via different methods.

How to Apply for Your Special COVID-19 SRD Grant via WhatsApp

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has made it easier for citizens to apply for their Special COVID-19 SRD Grant via WhatsApp. This grant is aimed at providing financial relief to unemployed citizens during the pandemic. Here’s how to apply for the COVID-19 SRD Grant via WhatsApp:

Step 1: Choose an Application Channel

There are several ways to apply for the grant, including the SRD website, SASSA chatbot, and WhatsApp. To apply via WhatsApp, send a message to 082 046 8553.

Step 1.1: Application via WhatsApp

Once you’ve sent a message to the number provided, you’ll be prompted to provide your personal details. You’ll receive a reference number, an OTP number, and a website link to click on. Follow these steps:

  1. Click on the link
  2. Insert the OTP number and click verify
  3. Provide your surname and ID number
  4. Confirm details as per details provided on the chat
  5. Continue to Step 2: Agree to Terms and Conditions

Step 2: Agree to Terms and Conditions

Read the Declaration and Consent Document and agree to its contents. Then, read and understand the You and Your Special COVID-19 SRD Grant document and agree to its contents.

Step 3: Provide Personal Details

Provide your ID number, name, surname, and other personal details like your address and gender.

Step 4: Submit Banking Details/Choose Payment Option

There are different options depending on whether you have a personal bank account or not. Follow these steps:

New Applicant:

  • Clients with Personal Bank Account:
    • Choose Bank Name
    • Provide Account number
    • Provide Branch Name
    • Provide Account Type
    • Agree to Terms and Conditions
    • Submit Banking Details
  • Clients without Personal Bank accounts:
    • Choose Payment option- Cash Send
    • Agree to Terms and Conditions
    • Submit Banking Details

Existing Client:

  • Confirm Existing Personal Banking Details
    • Agree to Terms and Conditions
    • Click Submit
  • Clients with Cash send Option who wish to add bank details:
    • Choose Bank Name
    • Provide Account number
    • Provide Branch Name
    • Provide Account Type
    • Agree to Terms and Conditions
    • Submit Banking Details

Step 5: Receive a SMS on Your Mobile Number

After submitting your application, you’ll receive an SMS with your application ID and confirmation that your application is active. It’s important to provide SASSA with a mobile number where they can reach you in case your application is declined or for banking details.

Applying for your Special COVID-19 SRD Grant via WhatsApp is quick and easy. Just follow these steps and provide all the necessary details. If you need further assistance, contact SASSA directly.

How to Apply for Your Special COVID-19 SRD Grant through the SRD Website

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges for many individuals and families in South Africa. To help alleviate some of these challenges, the government has introduced the Special COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant. Here’s how to apply for the COVID-19 SRD Grant through the SRD website:

Step 1: Choose an Application Channel

You can apply for the Special COVID-19 SRD grant through one of these channels:

Step 1.1: Application via SRD Website

If you choose to apply through the SRD website, follow these steps:

  • Open your internet browser
  • Go to https://srd.sassa.gov.za
  • Enter your ID number and mobile number, then click on the send SMS button
  • You will receive a 6-digit OTP number
  • Enter the OTP number and click on verify pin
  • Continue to Step 2: Agree to Terms and Conditions

Step 2: Agree to Terms and Conditions

Before you can proceed with your application, you need to read and agree to the Declaration and Consent Document and the You and Your Special COVID-19 SRD Grant document.

Step 3: Provide Personal Details

In this step, you need to provide your personal details, such as your ID number, name, surname, address, gender, and other information as required.

Step 4: Submit Banking Details/Choose Payment Option

If you have a personal bank account, you can choose to receive your payment through your bank. If you do not have a personal bank account, you can choose the cash send option. Here are the steps to follow:

New Applicant

  • New Applicant with Personal Bank Account:
    • Choose your bank name
    • Provide your account number
    • Provide your branch name
    • Provide your account type
    • Agree to terms and conditions
    • Submit your banking details
  • New Applicant without Personal Bank Account:
    • Choose the cash send option
    • Agree to terms and conditions
    • Submit your banking details

Existing Client:

  • Confirm your existing personal banking details
    • Agree to terms and conditions
    • Click on submit
  • Existing Client with Cash Send Option who wish to add bank details:
    • Choose your bank name
    • Provide your account number
    • Provide your branch name
    • Provide your account type
    • Agree to terms and conditions
    • Submit your banking details

Step 5: Receive an SMS on Your Mobile Number

Once you have successfully completed your application and provided your banking details, you will receive an SMS on your mobile number confirming your application ID and the status of your application.

It is important to provide SASSA with a mobile number where they can reach you to send SMS, if you are declined or with regard to your banking details.

By following these steps, you can apply for the Special COVID-19 SRD grant through the SRD website and receive financial assistance during these difficult times.

How to Apply for the Special COVID-19 SRD Grant via SASSA Chatbot

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has made it easier for eligible citizens to apply for the Special COVID-19 SRD Grant. Applicants can now apply through the SASSA Chatbot, which is an automated conversational interface that guides users through the application process. Here’s how to apply for the COVID-19 SRD Grant via the SASSA Chatbot.

Step 1: Choose an Application Channel

There are three ways to apply for the Special COVID-19 SRD Grant:

Step 1.1: Application via SASSA Chatbot

To apply via the SASSA Chatbot, follow these steps:

  • Open an internet browser and search for www.sassa.gov.za
  • Click on the SRD R350 Grant assistance chatbox on the website
  • Provide your ID number and mobile number
  • Choose “I want to apply for SRD R350 grant” through the chat
  • The chatbot will provide a link to the SRD website
  • Follow the steps on the SRD website to continue with your application

Step 2: Agree to Terms and Conditions

To continue with your application, you need to agree to the terms and conditions of the grant. Follow these steps:

  • Read the Declaration and Consent Document
  • Agree to the content of the Declaration and Consent Document
  • Read and understand the “You and Your Special COVID-19 SRD Grant” document
  • Agree to understanding the contents of the “You and Your Special COVID-19 SRD Grant” document

Step 3: Provide Personal Details

Provide your personal details, including your ID number, name, surname as it is printed on your ID document/card, address, gender, and other relevant information.

Step 4: Submit Banking Details/Choose Payment Option

If you have a personal bank account, follow these steps:

  • Choose your bank name
  • Provide your account number
  • Provide your branch name
  • Provide your account type
  • Agree to the terms and conditions
  • Submit your banking details

If you don’t have a personal bank account, you can choose the Cash Send payment option. Follow these steps:

  • Choose the Cash Send payment option
  • Agree to the terms and conditions
  • Submit your banking details

If you are an existing client, follow these steps:

  • Confirm your existing personal banking details
  • Agree to the terms and conditions
  • Click Submit

If you have the Cash Send option but wish to add bank details, follow these steps:

  • Choose your bank name
  • Provide your account number
  • Provide your branch name
  • Provide your account type
  • Agree to the terms and conditions
  • Submit your banking details

Step 5: Receive an SMS on Your Mobile Number

Once you have submitted your application, SASSA will send you an SMS to confirm the successful update of your banking details. You will also receive an application ID number that you can use to track the status of your application.

Applying for the Special COVID-19 SRD Grant via the SASSA Chatbot is a quick and easy process. Make sure to have all the necessary personal and banking details on hand to ensure a smooth application process. If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact SASSA through their website or WhatsApp number.

The ease and convenience of applying for the Special COVID-19 SRD grant through the SRD website
The ease and convenience of applying for the Special COVID-19 SRD grant through the SRD website

How to Check Your Special COVID-19 SRD Grant Application Status and More

If you have applied for the Special COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant, you may be wondering how to check your application status, what to do if your application is declined, or how to cancel or reinstate your grant. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 6: SASSA SRD Grant Application Verification and Validation Process

Before your application can be approved or declined, it goes through a verification and validation process. This includes:

  • Verifying your ID number, name, and surname with the Department of Home Affairs data
  • Matching your ID number against approved databases such as UIF, SARS, NSFAS, and others
  • Conducting fraud risk scoring with fraud prevention partners by checking your ID number and mobile number against approved databases

Step 7: Viewing COVID-19 SRD Grant Application Status

To check your application status, you can use one of the following channels:

  • Visit the SRD website at https://srd.sassa.gov.za, go to the Application Status tab, and click “check status”
  • Send a WhatsApp message to 082 046 8553
  • Contact the toll-free call centre at 0800 60 10 11

Step 8: COVID-19 SRD Grant Application Reconsideration

If your application is declined, you have the right to request reconsideration within 30 days of receiving the declined reason. You must request reconsideration for each month that your application is declined. To apply for reconsideration, you can:

  • Visit the SRD website at https://srd.sassa.gov.za, go to the Application for Reconsideration tab, and click “apply for reconsideration”
  • Contact the SASSA toll-free call centre at 0800 60 10 11

Step 9: COVID-19 SRD Grant Application Cancellation

If you want to cancel your SRD grant application, you can:

  • Visit the SRD website at https://srd.sassa.gov.za, go to the Cancel my Application tab, and click “cancel online”
  • Provide your ID number and mobile number, and click “send pin”
  • Enter the OTP number you received via SMS, and click “verify pin”
  • Click “cancel my grant”
  • Confirm that you want to cancel by clicking “YES”; click “NO” to discard

Step 10: COVID-19 SRD Grant Application Reinstatement

If you want to reinstate your cancelled SRD grant application, you can:

  • Visit the SRD website at https://srd.sassa.gov.za, go to the Cancel my Application tab, and click “reinstate my cancelled grant application”
  • Provide your ID number and mobile number, and click “send pin”
  • Enter the OTP number you received via SMS, and click “verify pin”
  • Agree to the terms and conditions
  • Click “reinstate my grant”
  • Confirm that you want to reinstate by clicking “YES”; click “NO” to discard

If you need to change your mobile number, contact the SASSA toll-free call centre at 0800 60 10 11. For further clarity, you can contact the SASSA toll-free call centre or send an email to Grantsenquiries@sassa.gov.za, or visit the SASSA website at www.sassa.gov.za or https://srd.sassa.gov.za.

If you have more questions, look through our blog for answers!