If your SRD R370 application was declined, you can ask for an independent review by the ITSAA (Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals). Use the official appeals portal to lodge or track your appeal.
The SRD R370 appeal, also called a request for reconsideration, is a formal process that gives declined applicants a chance to have their case reviewed. Oversight of this process rests with the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals (ITSAA), which functions separately from SASSA to guarantee fairness and impartiality.
An appeal is your opportunity to challenge a decision if you believe it was made in error, if your situation was misunderstood, or if your circumstances have since changed and you now qualify. This safeguard is an essential part of maintaining fairness and transparency within the grant system
If your SRD R370 application is declined, you must act quickly. Appeals are usually allowed within 30 to 90 days from the date you received the decline notification. Always confirm the exact deadline on the official SASSA SRD appeals portal, as late appeals may not be accepted.
Common Decline Reasons That May Justify an Appeal
Understanding the reason for your decline is the first step in deciding whether to appeal. Frequent issues include:
Alternative Income Source / Means Test Failure – You dispute the income detected by SASSA or believe it is outdated or below the threshold.
UIF or NSFAS Registration – You are flagged as receiving UIF benefits or NSFAS funding, but this is incorrect.
Identity Verification Failed – Your personal details are accurate, yet the system did not match them with Department of Home Affairs (DHA) records.
Existing SASSA Grant – The system shows you are receiving another grant for yourself, which you contest.
Database Errors – Mistakes such as being incorrectly listed as employed, a government worker, or deceased.
If your decline falls under any of these errors, submitting an appeal is the official way to have your case reviewed and corrected.
The appeal process is completed online via the official SASSA SRD appeals portal. Follow the steps below carefully:
Visit the Appeals Portal
Go directly to the appeals page at srd.sassa.gov.za/appeals or navigate there through the main SRD website.Enter Your Identification Details
Provide your South African ID number.Enter Your Registered Mobile Number
Use the same phone number you submitted with your original SRD R370 application.Receive and Enter OTP
An SMS One-Time Pin (OTP) will be sent to your registered number. Enter it on the portal to verify your identity and proceed.Select the Declined Month(s)
The system will display the months for which your application was declined. Choose the specific month you wish to appeal. In most cases, you must lodge a separate appeal for each declined month.State Your Reason for Appeal
Clearly explain why you believe the decision was incorrect. Be specific and refer to the decline reason provided by SASSA (e.g., UIF registered, income detected, identity verification failed).Upload Supporting Documents (If Required)
Where possible, upload evidence to support your appeal:
Bank statements if disputing income.
Employer termination letter if you were incorrectly flagged as employed.
UIF or NSFAS confirmation if their records were wrong.
Corrected DHA documents or affidavits if identity verification failed.
Ensure your files are clear and in accepted formats (PDF, JPG).Submit Your Appeal
Review all details and click submit.Keep Your Reference Number
If the system provides an appeal reference or confirmation message, save it for your records.
Note: There is no fee for lodging an appeal. All appeals are processed free of charge through the official SASSA portal.
Once you lodge your appeal with the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals (ITSAA), it enters a formal review stage. This process is not immediate — it usually takes 60 to 90 days. During this time, when you check your status on the SRD portal, you’ll likely see labels such as “Pending” or “Appeal Lodged.”
During the review, the ITSAA will:
Re-examine your original application.
Assess the reason SASSA gave for declining your grant.
Consider any supporting documents or evidence you provided.
Cross-check information against official databases to confirm accuracy.
Appeal Approved – If the tribunal finds that you do in fact meet the eligibility criteria for the declined month(s), your appeal will be granted and your payment scheduled.
Appeal Declined / Rejected – If the tribunal upholds SASSA’s original decision, your appeal will be dismissed. In such cases, the ITSAA usually provides a reason for the rejection.
Status Update – The declined month(s) will update to “Approved” or “Appeal Approved” on the SRD system.
Check for Payment Dates – Once approved, SASSA must still process your payment. Keep monitoring your status for an assigned “Payday.” Back payments for appealed months are usually included, though there may be a short delay.
Verify Banking Details – Make sure the banking details linked to your application are correct and active. Incorrect or outdated details could cause payment failures.
Decision Is Final for That Month – ITSAA’s ruling is generally final within the grant appeals process for the month in question.
Understand the Reason – Review the explanation provided to learn why your appeal was unsuccessful.
Reapply for Future Months – Even if your appeal is declined for a past month, you can reapply for upcoming months if your circumstances change and you meet the eligibility requirements.
Limited Further Recourse – If you believe the ITSAA made a serious legal or procedural error, your only option may be to seek a judicial review through the courts under the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA). This is a complex route and usually requires legal advice.
Understand the decline reason: Before you appeal, make sure you know exactly why SASSA declined your application so you can respond directly to that issue.
Collect supporting evidence: Gather documents that back your case (e.g., recent bank statements, proof of unemployment, corrected identity documents).
Be clear and factual: State your reasons briefly and precisely. Avoid emotional language—address the specific decline reason with facts.
Appeal per month: Submit a separate appeal for each month that was declined.
Meet the deadline: File your appeal within the required timeframe (usually 30–90 days). Late submissions are generally not accepted.
Double-check your details: Verify your ID number, phone number, and all entries before submitting.
Keep records: Save copies of your submission, reference numbers, and any correspondence.
A careful, evidence-based appeal increases the chances of a fair reassessment of your SRD grant application.
The Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals (ITSAA) generally processes appeals within 60 to 90 days. However, the timeframe may vary depending on:
The complexity of your case.
The volume of appeals submitted during that period.
You can track your appeal’s progress by regularly checking your status online through the official SASSA SRD appeals portal.
All SRD R370 appeals must be submitted online through the official SASSA SRD appeals portal, available at srd.sassa.gov.za/appeals.
Appeals cannot be lodged via email, WhatsApp, or in person at SASSA offices — the portal is the only official channel for appeal submissions.
In most cases, you must submit a separate appeal for each declined month of your SRD R370 grant. The online appeals portal will display the months where your application was declined and allow you to select them one at a time. This ensures that each month’s decision is reviewed independently.
Although uploading documents is not always mandatory, it is strongly recommended when your appeal is based on factual discrepancies. Supporting documents that can strengthen your case include:
Bank statements – if disputing income or a means test result.
Termination letter from employer / proof of unemployment – if incorrectly flagged as employed.
Affidavit or letter from UIF/NSFAS – if their records were outdated or inaccurate.
Corrected documents from the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) – if your application failed due to identity verification issues.
The key is to submit clear, relevant evidence that directly challenges the reason SASSA gave for declining your application.
After your appeal is approved, SASSA must process the outcome before releasing funds. Here’s what to expect:
Your status will update to show “Approved” or “Appeal Approved.”
A “Payday” will then be assigned for the relevant month(s).
Back payments for successfully appealed months are usually included, but the processing is not always immediate.
It may take a few weeks for the payment system to update and for funds to reflect in your account. Keep checking your status online until your payday appears.
While appeals are usually processed within 60 to 90 days, some complex cases may take longer. If your status has remained unchanged beyond this period:
Keep monitoring your status regularly on the official appeals portal.
Contact the SASSA Call Centre at 0800 60 10 11 with your ID number to inquire. Be aware that while they can confirm your details, they may have limited insight into the ITSAA’s internal review process.
Exercise patience, as the tribunal handles a large number of appeals, which can extend processing times.
If the delay continues for an unusually long time, you may also consider reaching out directly to the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals (ITSAA) for clarification.
The decision of the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals (ITSAA) is generally final within the SASSA appeals framework for the month in question. There is no further internal appeal available through SASSA or ITSAA.
However, if you believe the tribunal made a serious legal error or there was procedural unfairness, your only recourse is to seek a judicial review through the courts under the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA).
This is a legal process, usually requiring professional legal advice or representation.
If the ITSAA approves your appeal against an “alternative income identified” decline, it means they accepted your evidence showing you did not exceed the income threshold for that month. The tribunal performs its own re-verification of your financial status.
Once approved, SASSA must accept the tribunal’s decision and process your grant payment for that month, provided you also meet all other eligibility requirements.
No. The appeal deadline — usually 30 to 90 days from the date of the declined status — is strictly enforced. If you miss this window, you generally cannot lodge an appeal for that past month.
The best step forward is to ensure your details and circumstances meet the eligibility criteria and then reapply for upcoming months, as each month is assessed separately when the SRD grant is still open for applications.
