Why Your SASSA R350 Application Was Declined
Receiving a decline notification for your SASSA R350 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant application can be confusing and frustrating, especially if you believe you meet the eligibility criteria. Understanding why your application was declined is the first step toward resolving the issue, whether through an appeal or by addressing the specific problem. This comprehensive guide explains all common decline reasons, how to identify your specific issue, and what actions you can take.
Understanding Application Declines
What Does "Declined" Mean?
When SASSA declines your application, it means that after reviewing your information against the eligibility criteria, your application did not meet the requirements for approval. This is different from:
- Pending: Application is still under review
- Cancelled: Application was withdrawn or expired
- Approved: Application met all requirements
Decline vs. Rejection
While often used interchangeably, there's a subtle difference:
- Declined: Application was reviewed but didn't meet criteria (can be appealed)
- Rejected: Application had technical issues or was incomplete (may need to reapply)
How to Check Your Decline Reason
Method 1: SASSA Website
- Visit www.sassa.gov.za
- Navigate to "Check Status" or "Application Status"
- Enter your South African ID number
- Enter your registered cellphone number
- View your application status
- Read the specific decline reason provided
Method 2: WhatsApp
- Message SASSA: 082 046 8553
- Send "Status" or "Check Status"
- Enter your ID number when prompted
- Receive status and decline reason (if applicable)
Method 3: USSD Code
- Dial 1347737# from your registered phone
- Follow the menu prompts
- Select "Check Status"
- Enter your ID number
- View decline reason on screen
Method 4: Call Centre
- Call 0800 60 10 11 (toll-free)
- Provide your ID number
- Request decline reason explanation
- Ask for decline code if available
Common Decline Reasons
1. Income Above Threshold
What It Means:
Your declared or detected monthly income exceeds the R624 threshold required for the SRD grant.
Why It Happens:
- You declared income above R624/month
- SASSA detected income from bank statements
- UIF payments push you above threshold
- Other income sources weren't declared
- Spousal income (if applicable) exceeds limit
What You Can Do:
- Review your actual income (all sources)
- Verify if income calculation was correct
- Appeal if you believe the decline was incorrect
- Provide proof that income is actually below threshold
- Wait and reapply if income decreases
Appeal Strategy:
- Provide recent bank statements showing actual income
- Explain any one-time payments that aren't regular income
- Show proof of expenses exceeding income
- Provide affidavit explaining financial situation
2. Active UIF Registration
What It Means:
You're registered for or currently receiving Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) benefits.
Why It Happens:
- You're actively receiving UIF payments
- Your UIF registration is still active (even if not receiving)
- Previous employment UIF registration wasn't cancelled
- UIF system shows you as eligible for benefits
What You Can Do:
- Verify your UIF status with Department of Labour
- Cancel UIF registration if no longer receiving benefits
- Obtain letter confirming UIF is inactive
- Appeal with proof that UIF is not active
- Wait until UIF benefits end, then reapply
Appeal Strategy:
- Obtain official letter from UIF confirming no active benefits
- Show proof that UIF payments have stopped
- Explain if registration is historical but inactive
- Provide evidence of current unemployment
3. NSFAS Registration
What It Means:
You're registered as a beneficiary of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
Why It Happens:
- You're currently receiving NSFAS funding
- Your NSFAS registration is still active
- You're registered as a student with NSFAS
- Previous NSFAS registration wasn't updated
What You Can Do:
- Verify your NSFAS status
- Confirm if you're actually receiving funding
- Update NSFAS if your status has changed
- Appeal with proof of non-receipt if applicable
- Contact NSFAS to update your registration
Appeal Strategy:
- Provide proof that NSFAS funding has ended
- Show that you're no longer a student
- Obtain confirmation from NSFAS
- Explain any registration errors
4. Receiving Other Social Grants
What It Means:
You're already receiving another type of social grant from SASSA.
Why It Happens:
- You're receiving Old Age Grant (60+)
- You're receiving Disability Grant
- You're receiving Child Support Grant
- You're receiving Foster Care Grant
- You're receiving Care Dependency Grant
- You're receiving War Veteran's Grant
What You Can Do:
- Verify which grant you're receiving
- Understand that you typically can't receive multiple grants
- Consider if SRD grant is appropriate
- Contact SASSA for clarification
- Appeal only if you believe there's an error
Important Note: Generally, you cannot receive the SRD grant if you're receiving another grant. However, in exceptional circumstances, you may be eligible if your other grant doesn't cover all your needs.
5. Banking Verification Failed
What It Means:
SASSA couldn't verify your bank account details or the account doesn't meet requirements.
Why It Happens:
- Bank account is not in your name
- Bank account is inactive or closed
- Account details don't match your ID
- Bank couldn't verify account ownership
- Account has restrictions or holds
- Incorrect account number or branch code provided
What You Can Do:
- Verify bank account is active and in your name
- Ensure account details match your ID exactly
- Contact your bank to ensure account is verified
- Update banking details with correct information
- Appeal with proof that banking details are correct
- Consider using alternative payment methods
Appeal Strategy:
- Provide bank statement showing account is active
- Show proof that account is in your name
- Obtain letter from bank confirming account status
- Update banking details if incorrect
6. Identity Verification Failed
What It Means:
SASSA couldn't verify your South African identity or ID details.
Why It Happens:
- ID number doesn't match Home Affairs records
- ID is expired or invalid
- ID details don't match application information
- Home Affairs database shows discrepancies
- ID verification system couldn't confirm identity
- Temporary ID issues
What You Can Do:
- Verify your ID is valid and not expired
- Ensure ID number is correct on application
- Contact Home Affairs if ID has issues
- Provide additional identity proof if needed
- Appeal with certified copy of ID
- Update ID information if recently changed
Appeal Strategy:
- Provide certified copy of valid ID
- Show proof that ID matches application
- Obtain confirmation from Home Affairs if needed
- Provide additional identity documents
7. Age Outside Eligible Range
What It Means:
You're either under 18 years old or 60 years and older.
Why It Happens:
- You're under 18 (should apply for Child Support Grant)
- You're 60 or older (should apply for Old Age Grant)
- Age was calculated incorrectly
- Date of birth on ID doesn't match application
What You Can Do:
- If under 18, consider Child Support Grant application
- If 60+, apply for Old Age Grant instead
- Verify age calculation is correct
- Appeal if age was calculated incorrectly
- Provide proof of correct age if there's an error
Alternative Grants:
- Under 18: Child Support Grant (if you have children) or depend on parent's grant
- 60+: Old Age Grant (provides higher monthly amount)
8. Incomplete Application Information
What It Means:
Your application was missing required information or had errors.
Why It Happens:
- Required fields were left blank
- Information was incorrect or inconsistent
- Supporting documents were missing
- Application wasn't fully submitted
- Technical errors during submission
What You Can Do:
- Review your application for completeness
- Identify what information was missing
- Submit a new application with complete information
- Ensure all fields are filled correctly
- Provide all required supporting documents
9. Duplicate Application
What It Means:
You already have an active application or grant for the same period.
Why It Happens:
- You submitted multiple applications
- Previous application is still pending
- You're already receiving the grant
- System detected duplicate submissions
What You Can Do:
- Check if you have an existing application
- Wait for current application to be processed
- Don't submit multiple applications
- Contact SASSA to clarify status
- Cancel duplicate applications if needed
10. Residency Verification Failed
What It Means:
SASSA couldn't verify that you're a South African resident.
Why It Happens:
- Not a South African citizen or permanent resident
- Residency status couldn't be verified
- Address information was incorrect
- Temporary visa holder (not eligible)
- Residency documents were invalid
What You Can Do:
- Verify your residency status
- Ensure you're a citizen, permanent resident, or refugee
- Provide valid residency documents
- Update address information if incorrect
- Appeal with proof of residency if applicable
Decline Codes Explained
SASSA sometimes provides decline codes. Here's what they mean:
- Code 1: Income above threshold
- Code 2: Active UIF registration
- Code 3: NSFAS beneficiary
- Code 4: Receiving other grant
- Code 5: Banking verification failed
- Code 6: Identity verification failed
- Code 7: Age outside range
- Code 8: Incomplete information
- Code 9: Duplicate application
- Code 10: Residency verification failed
What to Do After a Decline
Step 1: Understand the Reason
- Read the decline notification carefully
- Identify the specific reason provided
- Note any decline code if given
- Understand what the reason means
Step 2: Verify the Information
- Check if the decline reason is accurate
- Review your application information
- Verify your actual circumstances
- Gather supporting documents
Step 3: Decide on Action
If Decline is Correct:
- Accept that you don't currently qualify
- Work on meeting eligibility (if possible)
- Consider alternative grants
- Reapply when circumstances change
If Decline is Incorrect:
- Gather evidence to support your case
- Prepare an appeal
- Submit appeal within 90 days
- Follow up on appeal status
Step 4: Take Appropriate Action
Option 1: Appeal the Decision
- Submit appeal within 90 days
- Provide supporting documentation
- Explain why decline was incorrect
- Follow appeal process
Option 2: Address the Issue
- Fix the problem (e.g., update banking details)
- Wait for issue to resolve (e.g., UIF ends)
- Reapply once issue is resolved
Option 3: Accept and Move Forward
- If decline is correct, accept it
- Explore other assistance options
- Reapply when eligible in future
Preventing Future Declines
To avoid declines in future applications:
- Accurate Information: Provide correct, complete information
- Verify Eligibility: Ensure you meet all criteria before applying
- Complete Applications: Don't leave required fields blank
- Current Details: Keep all information up to date
- Proper Documentation: Have all required documents ready
- Single Application: Don't submit multiple applications
- Regular Updates: Update SASSA if circumstances change
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to appeal a decline?
You have 90 days from the date you receive the decline notification to submit an appeal. It's best to appeal as soon as possible.
Can I reapply immediately after a decline?
Yes, you can submit a new application, but first address the reason for the decline. If the same issue exists, the new application will likely be declined again.
Will I be told why my application was declined?
Yes, SASSA provides a decline reason when you check your status. The reason may be general or specific, depending on the circumstances.
What if I don't understand the decline reason?
Contact SASSA call centre (0800 60 10 11) or visit your nearest SASSA office for clarification. They can explain the specific reason in detail.
Can I appeal if I was declined for income above threshold?
Yes, you can appeal if you believe the income calculation was incorrect. Provide proof that your actual income is below the R624 threshold.
What if my decline reason is incorrect?
If you believe the decline was made in error, you should definitely appeal. Gather supporting evidence and submit an appeal within 90 days.
How do I know if I should appeal or reapply?
- Appeal: If decline was incorrect and you have proof
- Reapply: If decline was correct but circumstances have changed, or if appeal window has passed
Can I get help understanding my decline?
Yes, visit your nearest SASSA office or call the call centre. They can help you understand the decline reason and guide you on next steps.
Conclusion
Understanding why your SASSA R350 application was declined is crucial for determining your next steps. Whether you need to appeal the decision, address a specific issue, or accept that you don't currently qualify, knowing the reason helps you take appropriate action. Remember that declines aren't always permanent—you can appeal, address issues, or reapply when your circumstances change.
For detailed information on appealing a decline, see our guide on how to appeal your SASSA R350 grant. For eligibility requirements, check our SASSA SRD grant eligibility guide.
Related Articles:
Official Resources:
