SASSA Referred Status – Meaning and Fix in 2025

If you receive SASSA referred status, it is important to understand the SASSA meaning behind this status update. The referred status can appear across all types of SASSA grants, including the Disability Grant, Care Dependency Grant, Child Support Grant, Older Persons Grant, and the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, which has increased from R350 to R370 in 2025.

SASSA Referred Status

The SASSA referred status means your application has been flagged for further verification and referred to the South African Fraud Prevention Services (SAFPS). This step is part of SASSA’s efforts to prevent fraud by confirming the identity of applicants and ensuring that only eligible individuals receive grant payments.

SASSA reviews each grant application for up to 90 days. During this time, the agency evaluates your financial details (income and assets for the means test) and current circumstances to determine whether you genuinely qualify for the grant. If your ID number is flagged or your information raises concerns, your status will change to “referred for further checks” carried out by SAFPS.

In most cases, this referral happens when SASSA needs to examine your documents more closely, such as your supporting document information, or if there’s a mismatch between your details and those maintained by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). Your application will then be reviewed thoroughly to confirm both your identity and eligibility before a final decision is made.

How to Resolve Your Referred Application Status

Beneficiaries with referred status should wait for a final decision and check SASSA status regularly. The South African Social Security Agency will update the outcome within 90 days, either approved or declined. If there’s suspected fraud or your details don’t meet the eligibility requirements, your application may be rejected. Here is what you can do to fix your referred grant status.

Submit Missing or Correct Documents

If your “application status pending” for documents, it means SASSA needs additional information. You must upload the required documents on the official SASSA portal at srd.sassa.gov.za to update your application. It can be your application status, referred banking details, affidavit, child birth certificate, marital certificate, medical report for disability grant, or any other legal document.

Avoid Duplicate Applications

SASSA does not accept more than one application for the same grant. If duplicate applications are found, they may all be declined. Only apply again if SASSA requires it, based on your status update. You should submit a SASSA reapplication only if your previous application is incomplete or missing key details, like your full name, ID number, or cellphone number.

Contact SASSA for Clarification

If you’re unsure why your application was referred or if there’s been no update in your application status, reach out to SASSA directly. Your application ID and reference number will be required for identification.

• Dial SASSA Number: 0800 60 10 11
• SASSA WhatsApp: 082 046 8553
• Email: grantsenquiries@sassa.gov.za

Why Your SASSA Grant Application Status Referred

If your SASSA application status shows “Referred”, it means further verification is required before a final decision can be made. Several common reasons could lead to this status, often linked to identity, income, or documentation issues.

1. Your ID Details Match Other Government Databases

If your ID number or name matches records in other databases such as NSFAS, SARS, UIF, or Home Affairs, your application may be flagged for verification. This check helps SASSA prevent duplicate benefits or fraudulent claims across different government services.

2. Incomplete or Incorrect Information

Providing incomplete or incorrect personal details, such as an invalid phone number, wrong ID number, or someone else’s banking information, can trigger the Referred status. SASSA may need to confirm your information before your application can be approved.

3. Missing or Incorrect Supporting Documents

If you’ve left out required documents or uploaded incorrect files during your application, your status may be referred until the missing paperwork is corrected. You’ll usually be asked to submit updated documents to complete your application during the pending status for the SRD R370 grant and other social grant applications.

4. Duplicate Applications or Data Conflicts

Submitting multiple applications, whether for the same grant or different ones, can cause system conflicts. Similarly, if multiple applicants share similar names or ID numbers, this can result in errors or delays. In these cases, SASSA referred your application for detailed checking.

5. Suspicious or Fraudulent Activity

If there is any sign of fraud, such as someone trying to access your grant using your personal information, falsely reporting your SASSA card as lost, or making unauthorised changes to your registered cellphone number, your grant status will be marked as “Referred” for further investigation. SASSA works in partnership with the South African Fraud Prevention Services (SAFPS) to verify the issue before processing can continue.

6. Income and Assets Above the Means Test Threshold

If your financial records show income that exceeds the qualifying limit set by SASSA’s means test, your application will be referred for further checks. This process helps ensure that only applicants who meet the income requirements receive SASSA support.

Update: SASSA now requires biometric identity verification to prevent fraud and duplicate grant applications. All new applicants and existing beneficiaries must visit their nearest SASSA office to complete ID verification. This step will help improve the SASSA system and strengthen its ability to detect and prevent fraud.

SASSA Status Check