How to Change Your Number on SASSA R350 (SRD R370) Grant [2026]

If you registered for the SASSA R350 grant — now officially called the SRD R370 grant — with a phone number you no longer use, you won’t get your OTP, your status updates, or your payment alerts. The good news is that SASSA gives you four ways to fix this: online, through WhatsApp, by phone, or in person. This guide walks through all four, including what to do if you’ve lost your Application ID.

Quick Answer

To change your SASSA R350/SRD R370 number, go to srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/contact, enter your 13-digit South African ID number and your 6-digit Application ID, then submit your new cellphone number. You’ll get an OTP on the new number to confirm it. If you don’t have your Application ID, you can request it from the SASSA call centre on 0800 60 10 11 or via WhatsApp on 060 012 3456. SASSA can take anywhere from a few days up to 14 working days to process the change, and you can only submit one update request every 24 hours.

Why Your SASSA Number Matters

Your registered cellphone number isn’t just a contact detail. SASSA uses it to send OTPs for identity verification, confirm grant approvals or rejections, send monthly payment notifications, and verify you when you check your status online. If the number is wrong, outdated, or has been hijacked by someone else, you risk missing payments entirely or being locked out of your own application.

Before You Start: What You’ll Need

Gather these details first so the process goes smoothly:

1. Your 13-digit South African ID number.
2. Your 6-digit SASSA Application ID (also called App ID) — given to you when you first applied or reapplied.
3. A new, active SIM card that can receive SMS, ideally registered in your own name (not a friend’s or family member’s, since this can trigger a fraud flag).
4. The old cellphone number you originally registered with, if you still remember it.

If you’ve lost your Application ID, don’t worry — there’s a workaround below.

Method 1: Change Your Number Online (Fastest Option)

This is the quickest route if you have your Application ID on hand.

1. Go to the official SASSA SRD portal at srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/contact.
2. Enter your 13-digit ID number in the ID Number field.
3. Enter your 6-digit Application ID.
4. Submit your new cellphone number.
5. SASSA will send a one-time pin (OTP) to the new number — enter it to confirm the update.
6. Wait for SASSA’s system to process the change. This typically takes a few days, though SASSA states it can take up to 14 working days, and during high-demand periods it may stretch further.

Note: SASSA only allows one contact-detail update request every 24 hours, so don’t resubmit repeatedly if it doesn’t go through immediately — it won’t speed things up and may flag your account.

Method 2: Change Your Number via WhatsApp

If you’d rather not deal with the website, SASSA’s WhatsApp line can also process the request.

1. Save 060 012 3456 as a contact named “SASSA.”
2. Open WhatsApp and send “Hi” to start the conversation.
3. When prompted, select or type the option for updating your cellphone number.
4. Provide your ID number, your old number, and your new number when asked.
5. Wait for a confirmation or follow-up SMS once SASSA has verified and updated your details.

Method 3: Change Your Number by Calling SASSA

If you have no internet access or your WhatsApp request stalls, call the toll-free helpline.

1. Dial 0800 60 10 11 (free from any network).
2. Tell the agent you want to update the cellphone number linked to your SRD grant.
3. Answer the verification questions — your ID number, application date, and other personal details the agent uses to confirm it’s really you.
4. Provide your new number and confirm.
5. Expect an SMS confirmation once the change is processed, usually within a few working days.

Call volumes are often high, so try calling earlier in the day, and have your ID number ready before you dial to keep the call short.

Method 4: Visit a SASSA Office in Person

This is your best option if you don’t have an Application ID, you’re struggling with the online or phone verification, or you simply prefer face-to-face help.

1. Find your nearest SASSA office.
2. Bring your original South African ID document (and a certified copy if you have one).
3. A SASSA official will verify your identity in person.
4. Give them your new number, and they will update it directly in the system.
5. Ask for a reference or receipt of your request before you leave, where possible.

Some larger SASSA offices now offer self-service digital kiosks that can speed up this process compared to standing in a queue for a consultant.

Don’t Have Your Application ID? Here’s What to Do

Losing your Application ID doesn’t lock you out. You have two options:

• Call the helpline: Dial 0800 60 10 11, explain that you’ve lost your Application ID, and provide your ID number plus the phone number you originally applied with. The agent can look it up and read it back to you.
• Visit an office in person: Bring your ID document. Staff can locate your application and assist with both retrieving your Application ID and updating your number in the same visit.

Once you have the Application ID, you can go back and complete Method 1 (the online form) yourself.

If Someone Changed Your Number Without Your Permission

If you’re getting OTPs you didn’t request, or you suspect your number was swapped by someone else (a common scam tactic to hijack grant payments), act immediately:

1. Check your SASSA status online. If it shows “record not found” or shows a number that isn’t yours, this is a red flag.
2. Call 0800 601 011 right away and ask SASSA to block payments on the account until it’s secured.
3. Submit an unauthorized cellphone number change report through the SASSA portal using your ID number, confirming the change was made without your consent.
4. Once that’s logged, follow the standard Change Phone Number process to set your correct, current number.

Common Reasons People Need to Change Their Number

• Lost phone or stolen SIM card.
• Switched mobile networks and got a new number.
• Typed the wrong number in by mistake during the original application.
• The phone number registered isn’t even theirs (a relative applied on their behalf, for example).
• Suspected fraud or unauthorized account access.

How Long Does the Update Actually Take?

SASSA’s own guidance points to roughly 14 working days for a number change to fully reflect across their system. In practice, many users report it happening faster — sometimes within a few days — while others, particularly during periods of high application volume, have reported waits stretching well beyond two weeks. If 14 working days pass with no confirmation SMS, call the helpline again to follow up rather than resubmitting the request, since SASSA only accepts one request per 24 hours and resubmitting won’t necessarily move you up the queue.

Tips to Avoid Problems Next Time

• Register your SIM card in your own name. SASSA cross-checks the registered SIM owner against your ID, and a mismatch can delay or block the update.
• Keep a backup email address linked to your SASSA profile as a secondary contact method.
• Avoid using a friend or family member’s phone number for anything beyond a temporary emergency, since OTPs and confirmations need to reach a number only you control.
• Never pay anyone to “speed up” a SASSA number change. The service is completely free — anyone asking for a fee is running a scam.

Frequently Asked Questions