What Is a SASSA Reconsideration?
A SASSA reconsideration is an internal review you request when your SRD R370 grant has been declined and you believe the decision was wrong. You are asking SASSA to check your application again — before going to the Independent Tribunal (ITSAA). It is free, takes place online, and is always the first step you take after a decline.
You have 90 days from the date of your decline to submit a reconsideration. Once that window closes, the month is lost permanently — so act as soon as you see a Declined status.
Reconsideration vs Appeal — They Are Not the Same Thing
Most people use these two words interchangeably, but in SASSA's system they mean very different things and happen in a specific order.
- First step after a Declined status
- Done directly through SASSA
- Takes 4 to 8 weeks
- Submit on the SRD portal
- You dispute the decline reason
- Second step if reconsideration fails
- Goes to an Independent Tribunal
- Takes 60 to 90 days
- Submit at srd.sassa.gov.za/appeals
- ITSAA decision is final for that month
👉 Always do a reconsideration first. Only move to a formal ITSAA appeal if the reconsideration is also declined.
When Should You Request a Reconsideration?
A reconsideration is the right move when your SRD R370 status shows Declined and you believe the reason SASSA gave is incorrect. These are the most common decline reasons that qualify for a successful reconsideration.
Alternative Income Source Identified
SASSA's banking scan picked up deposits that pushed your total above R628 for that month. Family members sending money for food, a once-off payment, or an insurance payout can all trigger this flag — even though none of them are income. This is the single most common decline reason in 2026.
UIF Registered
The Department of Labour's records showed you as receiving a UIF payout. This is sometimes a database error — especially for people who received COVID-era UIF relief and have since exhausted their benefits. If your UIF has ended you are not disqualified and can request SASSA to re-check.
NSFAS Registered
NSFAS records showed you as an active funding recipient. If you are no longer studying or your NSFAS has been cancelled, this is a database error. NSFAS records are not always updated immediately when a student deregisters, which incorrectly affects your SRD status.
Identity Verification Failed
Your details did not match what the Department of Home Affairs has on record. This often happens when your name on the SASSA application differs slightly from your ID — a maiden name vs married name, or a middle name included vs excluded.
Employed / Government Employee
SARS records suggested you are employed. If you were recently retrenched or your SARS profile has not been updated to reflect your current unemployed status, SASSA will decline you on this basis even if you are genuinely not working.
Receiving Another SASSA Grant
SASSA's system flagged you as already receiving a different social grant. If this is incorrect — for example, a grant that ended or was cancelled — you can dispute it. The cancellation of an old grant can take weeks to update across SASSA's databases, causing false positives.
What Does "Reconsideration Pending" Mean?
When your status shows Reconsideration Pending, it means SASSA has received your request and it is sitting in a queue for a staff member to review manually. Unlike the standard automated eligibility check that runs in seconds, a reconsideration requires a human being at SASSA to physically look at your file, read the decline reason, check your supporting documents, and make a judgment call. That is why it takes longer than a normal status update.
A Reconsideration Pending status is not bad news — it simply means you are in the queue and your request has been logged. The outcome will be one of three things:
How to Request an SRD Reconsideration — Step by Step
The entire process happens online through the official SASSA SRD portal. You do not need to visit a SASSA office, hire a lawyer, or pay anyone. Here is exactly what to do:
📱 Online Reconsideration — Official SRD Portal
Check Your Exact Decline Reason First
Before you submit anything, go to srd.sassa.gov.za and check your status. Find the specific month that was declined and read the reason shown next to it carefully. This reason is what your reconsideration must directly address — submitting without knowing the reason is the most common mistake people make.
Gather Your Supporting Documents
Based on the decline reason, prepare the documents that support your case. For an income flag: 3 months of bank statements plus a sworn affidavit. For a UIF flag: a letter from the Department of Labour. For an identity mismatch: your original ID document. For employment flags: a letter from your former employer confirming your last working date.
Go to the Official SASSA Reconsideration Portal
Visit srd.sassa.gov.za/appeals/appeal — this is the only official place to submit. Do not use any other website. Only URLs ending in .gov.za are official SASSA portals.
Enter Your ID and Phone Number
Click "Lodge an Appeal or Check Appeal Status." Enter your 13-digit South African ID number and the cellphone number you used when you originally applied for the SRD grant. These must match exactly.
Verify Your Identity With the OTP
Click "Send PIN." SASSA will send a one-time PIN via SMS to your registered phone number. Enter this PIN in the box provided. If the OTP does not arrive within 5 minutes, check your signal and try again.
Select the Declined Month
Once logged in you will see a list of months with their statuses. Find the month that shows Declined and select it. Then choose the option to request a reconsideration for that specific month.
State Your Reason and Upload Documents
Explain in your own words why you believe the decline was incorrect. Keep it factual and brief. Then upload the supporting documents you prepared. Clear phone photos of documents are accepted if you do not have scans.
Submit and Save Your Reference Number
Click Submit. SASSA will confirm your reconsideration has been logged and provide a reference number. Screenshot it or write it down — you will need it if you have to follow up after 8 weeks.
Can't Access the Portal Online?
If you don't have data or can't navigate the website, dial *134*7372# on any network — this USSD code gives you access to SASSA services at no data cost. Alternatively, visit your nearest SASSA office with your original ID document and your declined application reference number. A SASSA officer can log the reconsideration on your behalf, completely free of charge.
How Long Does an SRD Reconsideration Take?
This is the second most asked question once people have submitted. Here is an honest breakdown of what to expect at each stage of the process:
Your request is logged on the system and a reference number is issued immediately after you click Submit.
Your request is in the queue waiting for a SASSA staff member to pick it up for manual review.
A SASSA staff member is actively reviewing your file, checking the decline reason and your uploaded supporting documents.
Your grant is reinstated for that month. You receive an SMS and a payment date appears on your status page.
The reconsideration was unsuccessful. You can now escalate the same month to a formal ITSAA appeal.
When to Escalate
If your status has shown Reconsideration Pending for more than 8 weeks with no update, call 0800 60 10 11 or visit a SASSA office. Bring your ID and the reference number from your submission so the officer can check your file directly on the system.
Watch Your 90-Day Deadline
Your 90 days run from the date of the decline — not from when you noticed it. If you are close to the deadline and still waiting, you can simultaneously submit a formal ITSAA appeal as a backup to protect your right to dispute that month.
Do Not Reapply While Pending
While your reconsideration is pending, do not submit a new SRD application. Submitting another application while one is in review causes system conflicts and can delay the outcome. Your monthly eligibility continues to be checked automatically in the background.
What Happens If Your Reconsideration Is Approved?
A successful reconsideration reverses the month that was declined. Here is exactly what you can expect once SASSA approves your review request:
You Receive an SMS
SASSA sends an SMS to your registered number confirming the reconsideration was successful and your grant payment has been reinstated for that month. This SMS is your confirmation — no further action is needed from you at this point.
Back Payment for the Declined Month
The R370 for the overturned month will be paid into your account following SASSA's normal SRD batch schedule. Check your status page for your personalised payment date once the approval SMS arrives.
Future Months Are Assessed Independently
A successful reconsideration for one month does not guarantee the next. SASSA reassesses your eligibility from scratch every single month. Make sure your bank activity stays below R628 and keep all your details current on the SRD portal.
Update Your Details to Prevent Future Declines
Once approved, log into the SRD portal and make sure your banking details, phone number and personal information are all current and correct. Outdated information is the most common reason for repeat declines month after month, even after a successful reconsideration.
❌ What If the Reconsideration Is Also Declined?
If SASSA reviews your reconsideration and still says no, you now have the right to escalate to the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals — ITSAA. ITSAA operates completely independently from SASSA, which means you get a fresh and impartial review of your case from a different authority entirely.
- Go back to srd.sassa.gov.za/appeals/appeal using the same login process.
- This time select the formal appeal option for the same declined month instead of reconsideration.
- You have 90 days from the date of the original decline — ITSAA will not accept late submissions.
- The ITSAA process takes 60 to 90 days. Their decision is final for that specific month.
- If ITSAA also declines, you can apply for a judicial review at the High Court within 180 days. Contact Legal Aid South Africa for free legal assistance.
Reconsideration Scams — Protect Yourself
Scammers have created fake Facebook pages, WhatsApp groups and unofficial websites that charge money to "submit a reconsideration on your behalf." This is a scam. A SASSA reconsideration costs nothing, requires no middleman, and is submitted by you directly through the official government portal. Never pay anyone to do this for you.
- Never share your OTP or PIN with anyone, even someone claiming to be from SASSA
- Only use websites ending in .gov.za for any SASSA transaction
- SASSA will never contact you on WhatsApp to request money or personal documents
Frequently Asked Questions About SASSA Reconsideration
Official SASSA Contact Details
Use only these official channels for reconsideration follow-ups. Do not pay anyone or contact unofficial pages — SASSA assistance is always free.
SASSA Toll-Free Helpline
Status queries, reconsideration follow-ups, office locations.
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00 · Free from any SA network
WhatsApp Self-Service
Check your status and get guidance on next steps. Save the number and send "Hi" to start.
082 060 0111ITSAA Direct Contact
For formal appeal queries once your reconsideration has been declined.
012 312 7727Official Portals Only
Only use verified government URLs ending in .gov.za
📚 Related Guides
Disclaimer: This is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with SASSA or the South African government. All information is sourced from official SASSA communications and updated regularly. Always verify current processes at sassa.gov.za or by calling 0800 60 10 11.