How to Change Your Phone Number for SASSA Grants
Update the cellphone number connected to your grant
Keeping your cellphone number correct is important because SASSA uses contact information for OTP verification, application notifications, status information and communication about your grant. The correct update process depends on whether you use standard SASSA Services or the separate SRD R370 system.
If you use SASSA Services, log in and select Manage My Personal Information, update your contact details, save the change and complete the OTP verification. For SRD R370, use the official SRD contact-details update service. The current contact-update process can ask for your 13-digit South African ID number and 6-digit Application ID so SASSA can verify that you are the original applicant.
If your information is managed through the SASSA Services Portal, use the personal-information section in your existing account.
Do not use an SRD contact-change form simply because you receive a different SASSA grant.
The SRD system has its own cellphone and contact-detail update tools. SASSA verifies the identity of the applicant before allowing the change.
Do not submit a new SRD application just because your mobile number changed.
How to Change Your Number on SASSA Services
If you use the standard SASSA Services Portal, the official system allows registered users to update their personal information.
Use the official SASSA Services Portal.
Use the existing SASSA Services profile connected to your personal information and grant services.
The portal displays the personal information currently recorded on your SASSA Services profile.
Enter the correct personal information where the portal allows the change.
Check the information before saving it.
SASSA Services sends a One-Time PIN to the cellphone number provided for confirmation of the update.
Changing your cellphone number does not normally require creating another grant application or another beneficiary identity. Update the existing information instead.
How to Change Your SRD R370 Phone Number
The SRD R370 system has a separate contact-detail update process. SASSA first verifies that the person requesting the change is the original applicant.
For South African ID holders, the current SRD contact-details service uses the applicant’s:
Use the South African identity number connected to the SRD application.
This is the AppID issued by SASSA when the SRD application or reapplication was submitted.
SASSA also operates a current mobile-number update screen that starts the identity-verification process using the applicant’s South African ID number and asks for the reason for changing the mobile number and the current payment option.
Use SASSA’s own SRD system rather than a third-party grant website.
Choose the official option for updating the contact information linked to the SRD application.
Use the South African ID number belonging to the original applicant. Where the contact-details screen requests it, also provide the six-digit Application ID.
Follow the verification instructions shown by SASSA. Do not close the process before completing the required identity checks.
Use a number that you control and can continue using for SASSA communication and verification.
Follow the confirmation instructions shown by the official SRD system.
SASSA’s current SRD contact-details service says an applicant can submit only one request to update contact details within a 24-hour period.
If you recently submitted a change, do not repeatedly send new requests because the system may prevent another request during that period.
What You Need Before Changing an SRD Phone Number
Prepare the information that applies to the update before starting the process.
- Your 13-digit South African ID number.
- Your six-digit SRD Application ID where requested.
- Your new cellphone number.
- Access to the number needed for any verification step.
- Your current payment option where the mobile-update tool asks for it.
- The reason why you are changing the cellphone number where requested.
The number is used for SASSA communication and can be important for accessing the SRD system, checking an appeal and completing security verification.
What Is the SASSA SRD Application ID?
The SRD Application ID, also called the AppID, is the six-digit application identifier issued by SASSA when the applicant completed an SRD application or reapplication.
The current SRD contact-details update page uses the AppID together with the 13-digit ID number to help verify the original applicant.
The South African ID contains 13 digits. The SRD Application ID used on the current contact-details update screen contains six digits.
What if you do not know your Application ID?
Do not enter a random six-digit number. Check the information you received when applying or reapplying for SRD. If you cannot complete the official update process because you do not have the required application information, contact SASSA for assistance.
What If You Lost Your Old SASSA Phone Number?
Losing the SIM card or no longer having access to the old number does not mean you should create another SASSA grant application.
For SRD, use the official mobile-number update process where it is available. SASSA’s current SRD information also tells applicants to contact the SASSA call centre when the cellphone number where SASSA can reach them is different from the number used to lodge the application.
Use the official call centre when the online process cannot resolve the change or when SASSA instructs you to contact the agency.
What if your SIM card was stolen?
If the SIM was stolen but the number still belongs to you, first consider asking your mobile network whether the number can be recovered through a SIM replacement.
If you cannot recover the number, use SASSA’s official contact-change process rather than allowing another person to access the grant profile through the old number.
What If the SASSA OTP Does Not Arrive?
An OTP can be required when SASSA needs to confirm an update or access to an account.
Make sure the number entered into the update process is correct.
A delayed SMS can be caused by network coverage or a temporary mobile network problem.
Multiple OTP requests can cause confusion because an older code can expire when a newer verification request is created.
A deactivated, suspended or lost SIM cannot receive the normal SMS verification.
Use official support rather than paying someone to bypass an OTP.
A one-time verification code can give another person the ability to make changes or access services connected to your personal information.
What If Someone Changed Your SASSA Number Without Permission?
Treat an unauthorised contact-detail change as a security problem.
SASSA has previously warned beneficiaries that scammers can obtain personal information and change grant contact details after pretending to help with applications or grant problems.
If you discover a number you do not recognise:
- Do not give the person any OTP or banking information.
- Use the official SASSA or SRD website to check your information where possible.
- Attempt the official contact-detail correction process.
- Contact SASSA if you cannot regain control of the profile.
- Check banking details as well if the issue involves an SRD payment.
If someone obtained enough information to change your SASSA contact details, check whether payment or banking information has also been altered.
Does Changing Your Phone Number Change Your Banking Details?
No. Changing your cellphone number and changing the bank account used for an SRD payment are separate actions.
| Change | What it affects | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| Phone number | Communication, system access and verification. | Use the relevant SASSA Services or SRD contact-update process. |
| Email address | Electronic notifications and online account communication. | Update personal/contact information through the applicable official system. |
| SRD banking details | Where an approved SRD payment can be sent. | Use the official SRD banking/payment update process. |
| Standard grant payment method | How an existing standard social grant is paid. | Follow the payment-method change process provided by SASSA for the beneficiary. |
For SRD payment information, see How to Change Your SASSA R370 Banking Details .
Can a New Phone Number Affect Your SASSA Status Check?
Yes, particularly where the status system uses the cellphone number associated with the application for verification.
This is especially important for SRD because the mobile number is part of the electronic application and communication process.
If you know you have permanently lost access to an old number, deal with the contact information before you need to check an appeal, correct banking information or respond to a SASSA request.
See How to Check Your SASSA Grant Status for standard grant and SRD tracking.
Changing Your Number Before an SRD Appeal
Correct contact information is particularly important if you are appealing a declined SRD decision.
The Independent Tribunal’s SRD appeal system uses the applicant’s ID number and the cellphone number used for the application to send the required verification PIN.
The Tribunal also advises applicants to correct contact information where necessary before continuing with an appeal.
A successful appeal can result in SASSA being instructed to initiate a payment, so correct applicant information remains important.
See How to Appeal If Your SASSA SRD Application Is Declined .
SASSA Phone Number Change Problems
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| You still have access to the standard SASSA Services account | Use Manage My Personal Information and follow the OTP confirmation process. |
| You need to change an SRD number | Use the official SRD contact or mobile-number update service. |
| You do not know your SRD Application ID | Check your original application information. Do not guess the AppID. Contact SASSA if you cannot complete the official process. |
| You lost your old SIM | Try to recover the number from the mobile network if it is still yours. Otherwise use the official SASSA contact-change process. |
| OTP does not arrive | Check the number, SIM status and mobile signal before contacting SASSA. |
| You already sent an SRD contact update today | The current contact-update system allows only one request in a 24-hour period. |
| Someone changed the number without permission | Treat it as suspected fraud, use official SASSA channels and check both contact and payment information. |
| Status still uses old information | Check whether the contact update was completed successfully. Contact SASSA if the official system continues showing incorrect information. |
Avoid SASSA Phone Number Scams
Contact-detail changes are sensitive because the cellphone number can be used for security verification.
Also never provide your bank PIN, card PIN or online banking password to someone claiming to be a SASSA agent.
Be suspicious if someone:
- Asks you to send an OTP over WhatsApp.
- Offers to change your SASSA number for a fee.
- Asks for your banking password.
- Wants to use their own cellphone number on your grant.
- Asks you to hand over your ID and SIM card.
- Sends a link that does not belong to an official SASSA or government service.
Useful SASSA Guides
Track standard grant applications and SRD R370 status.
Change the payment information used for an approved SRD grant.
Understand a declined monthly SRD result and the possible next step.
Use the Independent Tribunal process for a disputed SRD rejection.
Check confirmed regular social grant payment dates.
Fix common SRD identity, status, banking and application problems.
Visit the SASSA category for grant applications, status checks, payments, contact changes and SRD help.
SASSA Phone Number Questions
How do I change my phone number on SASSA?
If your information is managed through SASSA Services, log in and select Manage My Personal Information. Update the contact information, save it and complete the OTP verification. SRD R370 uses a separate contact-update process.
How do I change my SRD R370 cellphone number?
Use the official SRD contact-details or mobile-number update service. SASSA verifies the identity of the original applicant before allowing the contact information to be changed.
What do I need to change my SRD phone number?
The current SRD contact-details update screen asks South African ID holders for their 13-digit ID number and six-digit Application ID. The mobile-number update process can also ask for the reason for the change and the current payment option.
What is the SASSA Application ID?
The SRD Application ID or AppID is a six-digit identifier issued when the applicant completes an SRD application or reapplication. It is different from the applicant’s 13-digit South African ID number.
Can I change my SASSA phone number if I lost my old SIM?
Yes, use the official contact-update process that applies to your grant. For SRD, SASSA also advises applicants to contact its call centre where the number on which SASSA can reach them differs from the number originally used to apply.
What is the SASSA number for changing an SRD phone number?
The official SASSA toll-free contact number is 0800 60 10 11. Use the online SRD update process first where applicable and contact SASSA if you cannot complete the change.
How many times can I change my SRD contact details?
The current SRD contact-update service states that only one request to update contact details can be submitted within a 24-hour period.
Why am I not receiving the SASSA OTP?
Check that the cellphone number is correct, the SIM is active and the phone has network coverage. Avoid repeatedly requesting codes. Contact SASSA if you cannot complete the official verification process.
Can someone else use their phone number for my SRD application?
You should use a cellphone number you control so that you can receive SASSA communication and complete security verification yourself. Giving control of the number to another person can expose the grant profile to misuse.
Does changing my phone number change my SASSA banking details?
No. Contact information and banking information are separate. If the SRD bank account also needs to change, use the official banking-details process.
Will changing my number affect my SASSA grant status?
Changing a number does not itself create a new grant application, but correct contact information is important for OTP verification, status communication and accessing services connected to the application.
Do I need to reapply for SRD after changing my phone number?
No. A cellphone-number change should be handled through the contact update process rather than by creating another SRD application simply because the old number is unavailable.
What if someone changed my SASSA phone number without permission?
Treat the change as a security problem. Use official SASSA channels, attempt to correct the contact information, check any payment details that may also have been changed and contact SASSA if you cannot regain control of the profile.
Can I change my phone number before submitting an SRD appeal?
Yes where correction is necessary. The SRD appeal guidance tells applicants to make sure their contact information is correct, because the appeal system uses applicant contact information for verification and communication.
Can I pay someone to change my SASSA phone number?
Do not pay an unofficial person to access your SASSA profile. Use the official SASSA systems and never give a third party your OTP, card PIN or banking password.
SASSA Contact Details Help
Cannot update your cellphone number?
Use the official online process first where it applies. If the update cannot be completed because you have lost access to your number, cannot complete identity verification or believe your details were changed without permission, contact SASSA directly.
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