I gotta tell you, changing my phone number on my SASSA SRD grant was a bit of a mission!
I recently got a new phone and totally forgot to update my details with SASSA.
Suddenly, I wasn’t getting any of their SMS messages about my application.
I started stressing out, thinking my payments were going to be delayed.
Thankfully, I figured out how to change my number online.
It took a little digging around the SASSA website, but I finally found the right page.
Let me show you how!
TL;DR: How to Change Sassa CellPhone Number
- Go to the SASSA SRD website
- Scroll down to “How do I change my contact details?”
- Click on the yellow bar
- Enter your 13-digit South African ID number.
- Enter your 6-digit Application ID (App ID).
- Click “Submit”
- Select “Change Phone Number”
- Enter your new cell phone number
- Enter the OTP
- Click “Submit”
- Then, wait for SASSA to process the change, which can take up to 14 days.
Why Change Your SASSA Phone Number?
- Incorrect Number: If you initially provided an incorrect phone number, updating it is crucial for SASSA to communicate with you effectively about your grant.
- Lost or Stolen Phone/SIM Card: Changing your number after losing your phone or SIM card prevents potential misuse of your personal information and protects your grant payments.
- Security: Ensuring SASSA has your current number strengthens the security of your grant and minimizes the risk of fraud.
Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Your SASSA SRD Phone Number Online
1. Access the SASSA SRD Website
Open your preferred web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.) on your computer or smartphone.
In the address bar, type in the official SASSA SRD website address: https://srd.sassa.gov.za and press Enter.
You’ll be directed to the SASSA SRD homepage.
2. Go to “How do I change my contact details”
Scroll down the SASSA SRD homepage. You’ll see various sections with information about the grant.
Look for a yellow bar that says “How do I change my contact details”. It might be towards the middle or bottom of the page.
Click on this yellow bar. This will take you to the page where you can update your contact information.
3. Enter your ID number
On the contact details page, you’ll find a field labeled “ID Number.”
Carefully type in your 13-digit South African Identity Number. Make sure you enter it accurately to avoid errors.
4. Enter your Application ID
Locate the field labeled “Application ID.”
Enter the unique 6-digit Application ID (App ID) that SASSA provided to you when your SRD grant application was approved.
You should have received this ID via SMS or email.
5. Submit your information
Once you’ve double-checked that your ID number and Application ID are correct, click the “Submit” button.
This will verify your identity with SASSA, confirming that you are the authorized applicant for the grant.
6. Select “Change Phone Number”
After successful verification, you’ll be presented with different options to update your contact details.
Choose the option that says “Change Phone Number.” This will take you to the phone number update section.
7. Enter your new phone number
In the provided field, carefully enter your new, active cell phone number.
This is the number where you want to receive future SASSA communications.
It’s crucial to double-check the number for any typos to ensure you receive the OTP and other important messages.
8. Verify your number with OTP
After entering your new number, SASSA will automatically send an SMS to that number.
This SMS will contain a unique One-Time PIN (OTP), a security code valid for a short time.
9. Enter the OTP
Open the SMS message on your phone and retrieve the OTP.
Go back to the SASSA website and enter the OTP in the designated field.
Click “Verify Pin” to confirm that the new number is valid and accessible to you.
10. Confirm your request
You’ll see a message on the website confirming your request to change the phone number.
This message will show both your old and new numbers.
Review the information and click “Submit” to finalize the number change process.
11. Wait for verification
SASSA will now process your request. This usually takes up to 14 days (two weeks).
During this time, SASSA verifies your new number and updates their records.
Once the change is complete, you’ll start receiving all future SASSA communications, including grant payment notifications and updates, on your new phone number.
Important Things You Need to Keep in Mind All the Time
- Access the correct website: Ensure you are using the official SASSA SRD website to protect your information.
- Keep your Application ID safe: This unique identifier is crucial for accessing and managing your grant.
- Be patient: The verification process takes time, so allow SASSA the necessary 14 days to update your details.
- Report lost or stolen phones immediately: If your phone is lost or stolen, report it to SASSA immediately to prevent unauthorized access to your grant. You can do this by visiting srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/auth and following the prompts to report a lost or stolen phone.