Receiving social assistance grants from the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) requires keeping your registered phone number updated. Under South African social welfare law, beneficiaries must promptly notify SASSA when requiring a phone number change to avoid payment disruptions.
This guide outlines the legal process for changing your registered mobile number for all SASSA grants, including the SRD, Disability, Old Age, Child Support, and Care Dependency Grants.
Legally Updating Your Phone Number with SASSA
By law, SASSA grant beneficiaries must provide valid registered contact details to receive monthly payments. If your number changes, you must follow the legal process to update it. Reasons include:
- Input errors when first applying per South Africa’s Social Assistance Act
- Lost or stolen mobile devices used for SASSA notifications
To legally change your number, gather:
- Your 13-digit SA ID number from your identity document
- Your 6-digit SASSA Application ID provided upon grant approval
Then visit SASSA’s online portal and input your ID and App ID to securely access your account. Select “Change Phone Number” and enter your new functioning mobile number.
SASSA will send a verification PIN to confirm the number belongs to you before processing the change request as required under South African social welfare regulations.
Legally Reporting Lost or Stolen Phones to SASSA
If your registered SASSA mobile is unlawfully changed or stolen, immediately report it through the online portal using your ID per SASSA’s legal protocols. This blocks unauthorized use of your grant.
SASSA advises legally changing your number once you obtain a new device. Wait 14 days as required by welfare laws for systems to update before expecting renewed grant payments.
Monitoring Payments and Legally Appealing SASSA Grant Issues
Diligently monitor your first grant payments after a number change. If issues persist beyond 14 days, submit a legal appeal to the Social Assistance Appeals Tribunal. Provide supporting evidence of your valid number change and efforts to rectify problems.
The independent Tribunal legally investigates and issues rulings on all contested SASSA decisions as outlined under South Africa’s Social Assistance Act. With persistence, you can overcome obstacles and maintain your entitled social assistance.