Many R350 SRD applicants have taken to social media to voice their unhappiness at SASSA over the long “pending” status on their applications.
Some have reported that their status has remained the same for up to four months, whether for initial applications or for reconsideration.
What SRD SASSA ‘pending’ status means
In a Twitter response to an SRD applicant on Monday (8 November), SASSA said a “pending” status means that the application has not yet been approved.
“Pending means your application has not yet been approved; your details still need to be screened and verified first. Once approved, you will receive an SMS from SASSA requesting your banking details [and] then you will be paid,” the Agency tweeted.
Some applicants also reported that they had not received payments despite their applications being approved. In response, SASSA said non-payment reasons vary from applicant to applicant.
“Some have provided wrong bank details/contact numbers if they chose the cash send option. Others keep updating their bank details, which in turn delays their payments,” it tweeted.
The Agency advised affected applicants that among other avenues, they could send their ID numbers to SASSA via direct message (DM) on Twitter for an agent to track their approved payments. SASSA’s Twitter account can be accessed here.
Unclaimed SRD grants from first cycle
Meanwhile, SASSA has reminded SRD grant applicants who haven’t claimed their approved payments from the first cycle that the deadline for doing so is 30 November 2021. They need to do the collection at their nearest Post Office.
“Payments not withdrawn by any beneficiary by 30 November 2021 will be forfeited to the state to fund other government priorities. Please call SASSA customer care on 0800 60 10 11 for inquiries,” the Agency said.
The first cycle of R350 SRD grants ended in April this year. President Cyril Ramaphosa later announced the second cycle, whose applications and payments commenced in August. It will run until March 2022.
The government is considering various options of extending support to unemployed South Africans, including a basic income grant or a further extension of the SRD grant.
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is expected to make an announcement in this regard when he presents his Medium Term Budget Policy Statement in Parliament later this week.
3 Comments
It has been pending for over 3 mounths now❌❌❌❌❌what’s going on
Its been 2 months already and im realy in need my application stay pending
my simcard old number damage so I used the other my phone number but its pending