SASSA Grant Cancellation: How to Cancel or Reinstate Your SRD R350 Grant in 2025

Common Reasons People Cancel SASSA Grants (And When You Should)

While SASSA grants offer crucial support, there are legitimate circumstances where cancelling a grant becomes necessary—or even responsible. Knowing when to cancel can help you avoid penalties, fraud accusations, or the burden of needing to repay funds later.

Here are the most common reasons why people choose to cancel their SASSA grant:

1. You No Longer Meet the Income Threshold

If your monthly income rises above the SRD grant threshold (R624 as of 2025), you’re legally obligated to cancel your grant. Continuing to receive the grant when you’re no longer eligible is considered fraud.

2. You’ve Found Employment or Started a Business

The SRD grant is meant for unemployed individuals with no regular income. If you get a job, launch a profitable side hustle, or your bank account activity reflects new earnings, SASSA systems may eventually flag your account. Cancelling proactively shows honesty and protects you from investigation.

3. You’ve Started Receiving Another Social Grant

You cannot receive the R350 SRD grant in conjunction with other SASSA grants (like the Disability Grant, Older Person’s Grant, or Child Support Grant). If you’re approved for another grant, you should cancel the SRD one immediately.

4. You’re Receiving NSFAS or UIF

If you begin receiving money from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) or the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), you are no longer eligible for the SRD grant. Overlapping support programs disqualify you from continuing to receive R350 payments.

5. You Applied by Mistake

Some applicants realize too late that they submitted a SASSA SRD application in error. If you applied for someone else, used the wrong ID number, or duplicated your application, it’s best to cancel and avoid delays or being blacklisted.

6. Age or Residency Criteria Not Met

If you’re younger than 18 or older than 60, or if you are not a South African citizen, permanent resident, refugee, asylum seeker, or special permit holder, then you are not eligible. Cancelling in this case helps avoid legal and administrative consequences.

7. To Avoid Fraud Investigations or Penalties

Illegally receiving the SRD grant—especially if flagged for review by SASSA—can result in being banned from future assistance programs or being forced to repay all amounts received. If you suspect that you’re not compliant, cancelling your grant is a smart, protective action.

How to Cancel Your SASSA SRD R350 Grant Application

You can cancel your SASSA R350 grant using four main methods. Each one offers a convenient route depending on your tech access and preference.

You can cancel your SRD application using four main methods:

1. Cancel Online (Most Common)

1. Visit srd.sassa.gov.za.
2. Scroll to “Cancel My Application”.
3. Enter your ID number and cellphone number.
4. Request and enter the OTP.
5. Confirm cancellation.

2. Cancel via WhatsApp

1. Save SASSA WhatsApp Number: 082 046 8553.
2. Send “Cancel SRD Grant”.
3. Provide your ID number.
4. Follow OTP instructions to confirm.

3. Cancel via Phone (Helpline)

• Call 0800 60 10 11.
• Provide your ID number and registered cellphone number.
• Confirm with an OTP.

4. Cancel via Email

• Email: grantsenquiries@sassa.gov.za.
• Include: ID number, cellphone, full name, reason for cancellation.

What Happens After Cancelling a SASSA Grant?

Cancelling your SASSA grant—especially the SRD R350 grant—is a responsible decision when your circumstances change. But many applicants worry about what comes next. Here’s a breakdown of what typically happens after you cancel your grant:

1. Your Application Status Changes to “Cancelled”

Once you’ve submitted a cancellation request through the website, WhatsApp, email, or helpline, SASSA will process it. Within a few days (or sometimes up to two weeks), your status on the SASSA system will be updated to reflect that your application is now “Cancelled.”

You can confirm this by visiting the SRD grant status page and entering your ID and phone number.

2. Future Payments Will Be Stopped

After successful cancellation, you will no longer receive the monthly R350 payments or any other grant disbursement tied to the cancelled application. If a payment was already processed before cancellation, you may still receive that one. But expect all following months to be skipped.

3. No Legal Trouble if Done Voluntarily

If you cancel because your circumstances have changed (such as getting a job or crossing the income threshold), doing so voluntarily helps you avoid any legal complications or fraud investigations. SASSA appreciates compliance and transparency.

4. You Can Reapply in the Future

Cancelling your grant doesn’t bar you from future access. If you lose your job again, experience financial hardship, or fall below the income threshold, you can reapply for the grant—just like a first-time applicant.

SASSA evaluates reapplications on the same terms as new ones. If you’re eligible again, your grant can be reinstated without issue.

5. Record Kept in the SASSA System

Even after cancellation, SASSA retains a record of your prior application. This is standard for all grants and helps prevent duplicate applications or misuse. However, your cancelled status won’t hurt your future eligibility if you’re truthful and transparent.

6. You Can Reinstate the Grant (If Cancelled by Mistake)

If you accidentally cancelled your grant, SASSA allows you to reinstate it through their website. The process is quick—simply log into the same SRD portal, click “Reinstate My Grant,” and provide the reason.

More on reinstatement options is covered in the next section.

Eligibility Requirements Before Reinstating a Cancelled Grant

Before you attempt to reinstate a previously cancelled SASSA SRD grant, make sure you still qualify under the updated 2025 requirements. You must:

• Be between 18 and 60 years old.
• Be a South African citizen, permanent resident, refugee, or asylum seeker.
• Not be receiving any other income, grant, UIF payment, or NSFAS funding.
• Have no significant means or financial support.
• Not be employed or earning above R624 per month.
• Not be eligible for any other form of social security support.

If you meet all the above, you may apply for reinstatement online.

How to Reinstate a Cancelled SASSA Grant: Step-by-Step Process

Cancelling your SASSA grant doesn’t have to be permanent. If your financial situation changes or you become eligible again, SASSA allows applicants to reinstate their previously cancelled SRD R350 application. This is particularly useful for individuals who cancelled their grant in good faith but later find themselves in need once more.

Step 1: Visit the Official SASSA SRD Website

Go to https://srd.sassa.gov.za using a smartphone, tablet, or computer.

Step 2: Locate the “Reinstate My Grant” Option
Scroll down until you find the section that says “Reinstate My Canceled Application” or “Click here to reinstate online”. It usually appears under the “South African ID Holder” tab.

Step 3: Enter Your ID Number and Mobile Number
Fill in the required fields with your valid 13-digit South African ID number and the cell phone number you used when applying for the grant.

Step 4: Click “Send PIN”
SASSA will send a One-Time PIN (OTP) to your registered cellphone number.

Step 5: Enter the OTP
Input the code you received into the box provided to verify your identity.

Step 6: Confirm the Reason for Reinstatement
SASSA will ask why you want to reinstate the grant. Select the appropriate reason from the list, such as:

• “No longer receiving income”
• “Mistakenly cancelled”
• “Unemployment resumed”
• “Error during cancellation”

Step 7: Confirm and Submit
After selecting the reason, you’ll see a prompt asking: “Are you sure you want to reinstate your application?” Click “Yes” to confirm.

What Happens Next?

• Verification: Your details will go through a fresh verification process.
• Timeline: SASSA usually processes reinstatement requests within 7 to 30 working days, depending on volume.
• Status Check: You can check the progress of your reinstated application by going to the SASSA SRD status check page and entering your ID and phone number.

Important Notes

• If your contact details (especially your phone number) have changed, you’ll need to update them first before reinstating.
• Ensure your bank details and other personal info are up to date to avoid delays.

Comparison Table: Cancel vs Reinstate

Scam Alerts

SASSA cancellation & reinstatement processes are always free. Beware of scams:

• Fake WhatsApp numbers asking for money.
• Websites pretending to be SASSA (always use srd.sassa.gov.za).
• Agents promising faster reinstatement for a fee.

Rule: SASSA never asks for bank PINs, ATM details, or payments for reinstatement.

Real-Life Testimonials

• Thandi (Cape Town): “I cancelled my R350 after finding a part-time job. When my contract ended, I reinstated it online. The process took two weeks, and I received payments again the following month.”
• Sipho (Durban): “I accidentally cancelled my grant on WhatsApp. Luckily, the reinstatement option was quick. Within 10 days, my application was active again.”
• Maria (Johannesburg): “Beware of scammers. Someone called me pretending to be SASSA asking for R150 to reinstate my grant. I reported it and used the official site instead.”

Processing Timeline Table

Common Mistakes When Cancelling or Reinstating a SASSA Grant

While SASSA has made the cancellation and reinstatement process user-friendly, many applicants still run into problems—mostly due to small but avoidable errors. Being aware of the common mistakes can save you time, prevent delays, and reduce the risk of being flagged or disqualified from receiving future payments.

Below are the most frequent mistakes and how to avoid them:

1. Using the Wrong ID or Phone Number

Why it matters:
SASSA matches your application to your South African ID and the phone number you used when registering. If these don’t match, the system may reject your request or fail to send the OTP (One-Time PIN).

Mistake

Entering a different phone number (e.g., if you’ve lost your SIM card and use a new one now).

Solution

Before cancelling or reinstating, make sure you update your number with SASSA using their online tools or by visiting an office.

2. Ignoring OTP Delays or Entering the Wrong Code

Why it matters:
The OTP verifies your identity. Entering the wrong code or letting the code expire leads to failed requests.

Mistake

Entering the OTP too late or typing it incorrectly.

Solution

Use a strong network connection and enter the OTP as soon as you receive it. If it doesn’t arrive within 2–3 minutes, request it again.

3. Selecting the Wrong Reason for Reinstatement

Why it matters:
SASSA uses your reason to evaluate your eligibility. Giving an unclear or incorrect reason might lead to a rejection.

Mistake

Choosing a reason that contradicts your financial circumstances or previous status.

Solution

Be honest and accurate. For example, if your income was temporarily above R624 and has now dropped, choose “No longer receiving income.”

4. Not Checking Application Status After Submission

Why it matters:
Just because you’ve cancelled or reinstated your application doesn’t mean it’s immediately active or inactive. You must confirm the system has processed your request.

Mistake

Assuming everything is done without verifying.

Solution

Always go to https://srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/status to check your current application status.

5. Attempting Reinstatement Without Meeting Eligibility

Why it matters:
Reinstating the grant while earning above the means test threshold or receiving other support will result in rejection—and possibly even an investigation.

Mistake

Trying to “test” the system or hoping SASSA won’t verify your current status.

Solution

Double-check that:

• You’re still unemployed or financially distressed.
• You’re not receiving UIF or NSFAS.
• You meet all the eligibility criteria.

6. Relying Only on One Communication Method

Why it matters:
Sometimes, WhatsApp or the website may be down temporarily.

Mistake

If the online portal fails, not trying other methods like email or visiting a SASSA office.

Solution

Have a backup method ready. Save the helpline (0800 60 10 11), WhatsApp number (082 046 8553), and email (GrantsEnquiries@sassa.gov.za).

FAQs about SASSA Grant Cancellation & Reinstatement

Conclusion

Cancelling your SASSA R350 grant is a responsible and necessary step if your circumstances have changed and you no longer meet the eligibility requirements. Whether you’ve found employment, surpassed the income threshold, or simply no longer need the assistance, canceling the grant can help avoid complications such as fraud investigations or overpayments. This guide outlined every method—online, WhatsApp, phone, and email—to cancel your application securely and efficiently.

Furthermore, if your financial situation changes again, SASSA provides an easy path to reinstate your SRD grant through their official website. Remember to act promptly, ensure your personal and contact information is accurate, and always track your application status. Staying proactive not only keeps you compliant but also ensures that this vital support goes to those who need it most.

Whether you’re cancelling, reinstating, or simply seeking clarity, knowing how to manage your SASSA SRD R350 grant empowers you to make informed and timely decisions in 2025 and beyond.