My old bank account was closed, and I thought I’d have to spend half a day at the SASSA office, you know how it is!
I was so stressed about it at first, thought I’d be stuck in those endless queues at the office.
But then my cousin told me about the online thing, and I decided to give it a shot.
It was actually way easier than I expected. Seriously, it took me like 5 minutes, tops.
If you’re in the same boat, don’t worry, I got you. Here’s exactly how I did it, step-by-step.
Hopefully, this saves someone else the headache I almost had!
TL;DR: How to Change SASSA Banking Details
- Go to srd.sassa.gov.za
- Choose your ID category
- Find “How do I change my banking details?” and click it
- Enter your ID number
- Get the OTP from your phone and enter it
- Click the secure link in the SMS
- Follow the instructions to enter new bank details or choose a cardless option
- Agree to the terms and conditions
- Submit!
SASSA will verify, and then your grant will go to your new account.
Who Can Use This Online Service?
This online service is available to all SASSA grant beneficiaries who need to update their banking details. This includes recipients of:
Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant: This grant provides temporary financial relief to individuals who are unemployed and do not receive any other form of income.
- Child support grant: This grant helps caregivers provide for the basic needs of children.
- Foster child grant: This grant supports foster parents in caring for children placed in their care.
- Old age grant: This grant provides financial assistance to elderly individuals who are unable to support themselves.
- Disability grant: This grant helps people with disabilities cover their living expenses.
- Care dependency grant: This grant assists those who care for severely disabled individuals who require full-time care.
- War veteran grant: This grant recognizes the contributions of war veterans and provides them with financial support.
- Grant-in-aid: This grant supplements other social grants to help cover specific needs.
Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Your SASSA Banking Details
1. Access the SASSA SRD website
Open your web browser. It’s recommended to use a secure browser like Chrome, Firefox, or Safari.
In the address bar, type the official SASSA SRD website address: srd.sassa.gov.za and press Enter.
Be cautious of fake websites: Always double-check the URL to ensure you are on the genuine SASSA website.
2. Choose your category
On the SASSA SRD homepage, you’ll see two options: “South African ID Holder” and “Asylum Seekers and Special Permit Holders.”
Select the category that applies to you. This ensures you are directed to the correct section of the website.
3. Go to the “How do I change my banking details” section
Scroll down the page. You may need to scroll past announcements, news updates, and other information.
Look for a section with a heading similar to “How do I change my banking details.”
It might be phrased differently, but the intent will be clear.
Click on the link or button within this section to proceed to the banking details update page.
4. Enter your South African ID number
On the banking details update page, you will find a field asking for your South African ID number.
Carefully enter your 13-digit ID number in the provided field.
Double-check for accuracy: Ensure you haven’t made any typing errors before moving on.
5. Verify your identity with an OTP
After entering your ID number, SASSA will send a One-Time Pin (OTP) to the mobile number you registered with your grant application.
This is a security measure to confirm your identity and prevent unauthorized access to your information.
6. Retrieve the OTP from your phone’s SMS messages.
Enter the 6-digit OTP in the designated field on the website.
Click on the “Verify Pin” button (or similar) to proceed.
7. Access the secure link
Once your OTP is verified, SASSA will send you another SMS message. This message will contain a secure link.
This link is unique to you and is valid for a limited time. It’s designed to protect your information during the update process.
Click on the secure link in the SMS. This will open a new page in your browser where you can update your banking details.
The secure link will take you to a page with clear instructions on how to change your banking details.
Read these instructions carefully. They will guide you through the process of providing your new information.
8. Provide your new banking details
A. If you have a personal bank account:
You will be asked to select your bank from a drop-down list. Choose your bank from the available options.
Enter your account number in the designated field.
Provide the branch code of your bank. You can usually find this on your bank statement or your bank’s website.
Select your account type from the options provided (e.g., savings, cheque).
B. If you don’t have a personal bank account:
You can choose a cardless payment option like Cash Send.
This allows you to collect your grant from participating retailers.
Select your preferred retailer from the list:
- Pick n Pay
- Boxer
- Shoprite
- Checkers
- Usave
- Moya App
Consider convenience: Choose a retailer that is easily accessible to you.
9. Agree to the terms and conditions
Before submitting your updated details, you will be presented with SASSA’s terms and conditions.
It’s essential to read these terms and conditions carefully to understand your rights and responsibilities.
If you agree to the terms and conditions, tick the checkbox or click the button to indicate your consent.
10. Submit your updated banking details
Once you have filled in all the required information and agreed to the terms and conditions, click the “Submit” button (or similar).
This will send your updated banking details to SASSA for processing.
11. Verification by SASSA
SASSA will verify your new banking details. This may take a few days.
Once verified, future grant payments will be deposited into your new account or made available through your chosen cardless payment method.
You may receive a confirmation SMS or email once the update is complete.