Complete Guide: How to Appeal a Declined SASSA SRD Grant

By SASSA Information Portal Team

How to Appeal a Declined SASSA SRD Grant Decision

If your application for the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) R350/R370 grant was declined, but you believe the decision was incorrect based on your circumstances for that specific month, you have the right to appeal. Appeals are handled independently by the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals (ITSAA).

This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough of the SRD appeal process.

Important Considerations Before Appealing:

• Reason for Decline: You MUST know why your application was declined for the specific month(s) you want to appeal. Check your status on the SASSA SRD website to find the reason. Appealing without understanding the reason is unlikely to succeed.
• Eligibility: Did you meet the eligibility criteria for the month(s) in question? This includes the income threshold (e.g., not earning more than R624 per the means test), not receiving UIF, NSFAS, or other grants, etc.
• Time Limit: Appeals must be lodged within 30 to 90 days from the date you received the declined status notification. Do not delay! It’s best to appeal as soon as possible within this timeframe.
• Appeal per Month: You need to lodge a separate appeal for each specific month that your grant was declined.

Steps to Lodge an SRD Appeal Online (via ITSAA Portal):

This is the official and primary method for submitting SRD appeals:

1. Visit the ITSAA Appeals Website: Navigate to the correct portal: https://srd.dsd.gov.za/appeals/ (Bookmark this link).
2. Enter ID Number: Accurately type in your 13-digit South African ID number.
3. Enter Phone Number: Provide the cell phone number that you used when initially applying for the SRD grant. This is where the verification PIN will be sent.
4. Request PIN: Click the “Send Pin” button. Wait for an SMS containing a One-Time Pin (OTP) to arrive on your registered phone. (If you don’t receive it, check your signal and ensure the number is correct. You may need to request it again after a short wait).
5. Enter PIN: Type the PIN you received via SMS into the required field and click “Submit”.
6. Select Month(s): You will see a list of months for which your application was declined. Select the specific month(s) you wish to appeal for. You can often select multiple months at once if they fall within the appeal timeframe.
7. Reason for Appeal (If Applicable): Sometimes, the portal may ask you to select a reason or provide brief details, though often it’s based on re-evaluating the existing data. Follow the on-screen prompts carefully.
8. Submit Appeal: Review your selections and click “Submit” (or a similar button) to formally lodge your appeal(s).

What Happens After Submitting Your Appeal?

• Confirmation: The website should provide confirmation that your appeal submission was successful. Take a screenshot if possible.
• ITSAA Review: The ITSAA will now independently review your case. This involves re-checking your information against various government databases (like Home Affairs, UIF, SARS, NSFAS) for the specific month(s) you appealed.
• Decision Making: Based on their verification, the ITSAA will make a final decision on your appeal for each month.
• Processing Time: This review process can take time, often between 60 and 90 days from the date you lodged the appeal. Be patient.
• Outcome Notification: SASSA may send an SMS regarding the outcome, but it’s unreliable.
• Check Appeal Status: You must proactively check the status of your appeal regularly using the same ITSAA appeals website: https://srd.dsd.gov.za/appeals/. Follow the same login steps (ID, Phone Number, PIN).

Understanding Appeal Statuses (on ITSAA Portal):

• Pending: The appeal is received and awaiting review.
• Approved/Successful: Your appeal for that month was successful. SASSA should now process payment if applicable. Check the main SRD status site for payment details.
• Declined/Unsuccessful: Your appeal for that month was denied by the ITSAA. The reason may be provided. This decision is typically final for that month.

Common Issues and Tips:

• Incorrect Phone Number: If you lost or changed the phone number used for the application, you must first update your contact details with SASSA before you can receive the appeal PIN.
• Appeal Deadline Missed: If you missed the 90-day window, you generally cannot appeal for that month anymore.
• Website Errors: If the appeals website is down, try again later. Ensure you have a stable internet connection.

Can I Appeal Other SASSA Grants?

The process described above is specifically for the SRD R350/R370 grant. Appealing decisions for other grants (like Disability, Old Age, Child Support) follows a different, more traditional process involving submitting appeal forms directly to SASSA, not the ITSAA online portal.

If you require further assistance specifically with the SRD appeal process, refer back to the ITSAA website or general SASSA contact channels (though they may redirect you to the ITSAA site for SRD appeals). Remember, the appeal process is free.