How to Submit an Appeal for the SASSA R350 SRD Grant?

The SASSA R350 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant provides vital temporary financial assistance to unemployed South Africans facing economic distress due to COVID-19.

If your application for this grant is rejected, you have the right to appeal the decision through official channels within a set timeframe.

In this guide we will cover, step-by-step instructions and key tips on how to submit an appeal online for the SASSA R350 SRD grant and follow up on its status.

When Can I Appeal My Rejected SRD Application?

If you applied for the R350 SRD grant and received notification that your application was unsuccessful, you have 30 calendar days but not exceeding 90 days to lodge an appeal against this outcome.

You should submit an appeal if you feel the rejection was incorrect or unfair based on the eligibility criteria and supporting documents you provided.

How the SRD Grant Appeal Process Works?

• SASSA first evaluates SRD applications and may reject them if they don’t meet the criteria
• Applicants then have 30 days to lodge appeals through the online DSD portal
• These appeals get reviewed by the independent DSD Tribunal
• The Tribunal makes a final ruling to either uphold the rejection or overturn it and approve the SRD grant
• Applicants are notified of appeal outcomes through SMS and on the portal

Step 1 – Validate Your Application Details

Before starting your appeal, first double check that all the information and contact details you submitted to SASSA are fully correct and up to date:

• Carefully review your rejected application for any missing information or documents
• Update your contact details like cell number and email if required so you receive outcomes
• Only proceed if you still believe the rejection was unwarranted based on your circumstances

Step 2 – Access the DSD SRD Appeals Portal

To begin your SRD grant appeal, visit the DSD website and locate the SRD Appeals section:

• Go to https://srd.sassa.gov.za/appeals/appeal
• Scroll down and click the green button “Click here to lodge an appeal or check appeal status”

This will open the portal where you can submit and track SRD appeals.

Step 3 – Enter Your Details

On the DSD Appeals Portal, you will need to enter some key information for verification purposes:

• Input your 13-digit South African ID number
• Enter the cell phone number you used when applying for the SRD grant
• Click “Send PIN” to receive a one-time PIN

Step 4 – Input Verification PIN

Check your phone SMSs for the one-time PIN sent by the portal and input it:

• Enter the 6-digit PIN received via SMS into the portal page
• Click “Validate” or “Submit” to proceed

This confirms your identity.

Step 5 – Select Rejection Month to Appeal

You now need to specify which month’s SRD grant rejection you want to appeal:

• From the dropdown options, select the month that you were denied the R350 grant
• You can only submit appeals one month at a time
• If rejected for multiple months, you must repeat the process for each month

Step 6 – Motivate Basis for Your Appeal

You will now be prompted to briefly outline the background and motivation behind your SRD grant appeal:

• Explain in 1-2 paragraphs why you believe your application met the eligibility criteria
• Mention or attach any supporting documents, proof or information that verifies your circumstances
• Keep it factual, detailed and accurate to bolster your appeal

Step 7 – Submit Your Complete Appeal

Once you have provided the background details, carefully review everything and click “Submit Appeal” to officially lodge it for review.

Step 8 – Monitor Status and Outcome

After submitting your SRD appeal via the portal, monitor it regularly for updates:

• The Tribunal aims to resolve appeals within 90 days but can take longer
• Log back into the Appeals Portal frequently to track its status
• Check your SMSs for outcome notifications
• If approved, expect payment in your account within days

Appeal Adjudication Criteria

The Independent Tribunal will review your appeal and make a judgment based primarily on:

• The eligibility criteria for the SRD grant
• The validity and accuracy of details and documents you originally submitted
• The strength and coherence of your written motivation outlining why you believe the rejection was unwarranted

Submitting a clearly argued, evidence-based appeal case strengthens your prospects of success significantly.

How Will I Know if My SRD Appeal is Approved?

You can check the status of your SASSA SRD grant appeal online using your reference number or by contacting the SASSA helpline to see if it was approved.

Alternative Recourse If SASSA Status Check Appeal Fails

If your SASSA Status Check appeal is ultimately unsuccessful, the Tribunal’s decision is final on an internal level. However, you can still approach the High Court within 180 days for judicial review of the outcome.

But this process requires legal consultation. Rejected applicants are advised to accept the Tribunal’s final ruling in most cases.

Key Takeaways

• Validate details before appealing rejected SRD applications.
• Use the DSD Appeals Portal to submit appeals within 30 days of rejection.
• Outline reasoned grounds explaining why you still qualify.
• Persistently follow up on the status until finalized.

With a well-motivated, evidence-based appeal, you have a strong chance of overturning an incorrect SRD grant rejection. But act swiftly within the allowed window.

However if you are still confused, you can reach out at: Department of Social Development, Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals (ITSAA) Private Bag x 901, Pretoria, 0001

Tel: 012 312 7727

Email: [email protected]

Fax: 086 534 3124 or 086 216 371