Why SASSA Grant Application Declined

If your SASSA grant application declined for SRD R350 or any other social grant, you must understand the reasons behind the SASSA decision to make a successful appeal.

Reasons Why SASSA Grant Application Declined

Here, you will find the possible reasons why your grant application was declined and provided with the reason on the SASSA status checker results.

Multiple or Duplicate Applications Found

SASSA found more than one social grant application registered under your ID number. It’s against regulations to apply for multiple SASSA grants simultaneously.

Income and Assets Above the Means Test Limit

If your income exceeds R624 per month in your bank account, your SASSA grant status will decline for the SRD grant. It is because your assets and income are evaluated against the SASSA means test criteria.

Already Receiving SASSA SRD Grant

If you’re already receiving the SRD R370 grant and apply for another social grant, you won’t qualify for both due to strict SASSA regulations.

Current Recipient of SASSA Social Grant

If you’re already receiving a social grant, like the Old Age grant, Children’s grant, or Disability grant, you may not qualify for the additional Social Relief of Distress (SRD) programme.

Important Notice for SASSA Grant Beneficiaries

The SASSA Grant-in-Aid is an additional grant provided to existing beneficiaries of the Older Persons and Disability grant who require full-time care due to severe health conditions.

Recipients receiving the Child Support Grant also qualify for a Child Support grant top-up for orphans. This extra support is meant for childerns requires a permanent caregiver.

ID Information Not Found in DHA Records

Your ID number, name, and surname must exactly match your ID document. SASSA checks your ID against the Department of Home Affairs database, and if your ID is not found, it can lead to your application rejection.

Receiving Other Government Benefits

If you receive benefits from South African government programs like NSFAS, SARS, or UIF, you may not qualify for the SRD R350 grant and could be ineligible for any SASSA grant.

Age Requirement Not Met

The SASSA R350 grant is only for individuals aged 18 to 60. If you’re outside this range, your application will be declined. Different SASSA social grants have specific age requirements.

If you’re over 18, you are no longer eligible for the Child Support grant. Similarly, the Older Persons grant is only available to people aged 60 and above; anyone younger cannot apply for it.

Fraud and Suspicious Activity

If there is any sign of fraud linked to your South African ID, your application will be rejected.

SASSA takes such threats seriously and may take action against anyone found committing fraud, impersonation, theft, or engaging in other suspicious activities.

Employed and Paying Taxes

If you are employed in the private sector or a government institution and pay income tax, you will qualify for any SASSA grant.

SASSA grants support to underprivileged and unemployed individuals with no means of income or other forms of support. However, retired government employees may still be eligible.

Recorded as Deceased in the DHA Database

If the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) lists your South African ID in the deceased person’s record, SASSA will block your application.

The national agency has the right to forward such cases to law enforcement to prevent scamming SASSA in future.

Important: SASSA stops all payments after a beneficiary’s death. Only unclaimed funds for funeral assistance will be released to the family or relatives.

What to Do If Your Application Is Declined

If your SASSA status has declined, you can fix your SASSA declined grant application online. All you need to do is submit an appeal within 90 days of receiving your decline status.

Carefully follow the instructions provided in your rejection notice, and ensure your appeal application is successfully submitted and reviewed by the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals (ITSAA) at the Department of Social Development (DSD).

After submitting your appeal, it’s important to regularly check your SASSA Status to stay updated on the outcome. Your status will be updated once the final decision regarding your grant is made. Once approved, you will continue to receive the monthly SASSA payments.

Important Notice: SASSA has discontinued the Gold Card with the introduction of the new Postbank Black Card system.

Beneficiaries are urged to visit their nearest Postbank card replacement site to collect the new card and continue receiving their approved grant payments without disruption.