Lucky Cungwa
Senior Editor · Reviewed against official SASSA guidance
What is a SASSA grant review?
SASSA periodically reviews grants to confirm that a beneficiary's age, income, assets, medical condition or household circumstances still meet the rules. Reviews are routine. They also happen when records conflict, such as a bank account that does not match the beneficiary's identity or income information that differs from other government databases.
A review is different from a monthly SRD reconsideration. The SRD R370 grant is assessed month by month; a permanent grant review is a specific administrative process that usually begins with an SMS, a letter or a notice at a SASSA office.
What the notice should tell you
- Which grant is being reviewed
- The date, time and place of any appointment
- The documents SASSA wants you to bring
- A reference or case number to quote
- The office or channel to contact if the date does not suit you
Use the date in your own notice
There is no single deadline that applies to every review. The date that matters is the one printed in your notice. If you cannot attend, contact SASSA before that date using the number or office on the notice instead of simply not arriving.
Documents usually requested
Requirements differ by grant type and by the reason for the review. The list below covers the most common requests; your notice overrides it.
- Your original South African ID or a certified copy, as requested
- Proof of income, such as payslips or the latest three months of bank statements
- An affidavit if you have no income, sworn at a police station or commissioner of oaths
- Proof of residence
- A UIF or NSFAS status letter if either was flagged
- A medical report or assessment report for a Disability or Care Dependency review
- The Children's Court order for a Foster Care Grant review
What happens after the review?
- The grant continues if SASSA confirms you still qualify.
- The grant may be adjusted if your income or household circumstances changed.
- The grant may be suspended if you do not respond or if SASSA finds you no longer qualify.
- You should receive written reasons for a suspension or cancellation, and the letter explains the appeal route.
Missing an appointment
If you miss a review appointment without contacting SASSA, the grant can be suspended. That does not automatically mean the grant is cancelled. Contact SASSA or your nearest office as soon as possible and ask what is needed to restore the review.
How to check whether a message is genuine
- SASSA will not ask for your card PIN, online banking password or a one-time PIN (OTP).
- SASSA will not ask you to pay a fee to keep a grant or to book a review.
- Do not use a link in an SMS to enter identity or banking details. Open the official SRD portal yourself at srd.sassa.gov.za.
- You can confirm a review notice at a SASSA office or through the official contact channels on SASSA's website.
If your grant is suspended after a review
Read the written reasons first. If you believe the decision is wrong, you can lodge an appeal with the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals (ITSAA). Appeals are subject to a time limit, so act as soon as you receive the decision. Our appeal guides explain the process and the evidence that helps.
Does a review mean SASSA thinks I committed fraud?
No. Most reviews are routine eligibility checks or the result of conflicting records. Answer the notice honestly and provide the documents requested.
I did not receive a notice. Can my grant still be reviewed?
SASSA contacts beneficiaries using the details on its system. If your phone number or address changed, update it through an official SASSA channel so you do not miss a notice.
Will my grant stop immediately while the review is underway?
Not necessarily. It depends on the type of review and whether SASSA has already suspended the grant. Check your payment status and read any written notice you receive.
Can I do a review at a bank or retailer?
No. A grant review is handled by SASSA, not by a bank, retailer or anyone who offers to 'fix' your grant for a fee. Use the office or channel named in your notice.
What if I miss the appointment?
Contact SASSA immediately. Explain why you could not attend and ask for the next available review date. Do not wait for the grant to stop before acting.
Related resources
Check your SRD status
Official SASSA SRD portal
How to appeal a decision
Step-by-step ITSAA appeal guide
Bank verification status
Why a bank check can hold up a payment
SRD R370 grant guide
Eligibility and monthly review rules
Need Official Assistance?
This is an independent informational resource. For official services — checking your grant status, updating your details, or submitting an appeal — please use the official SASSA portals directly: