SASSA is reviewing its November 2026 grant payment dates because the Local Government Elections on Wednesday 4 November have been declared a public holiday. The original plan was 3, 4 and 5 November. No grant is being cancelled and amounts do not change. Revised dates have not been announced yet.
SASSA CEO Themba Matlou announced a digital transformation programme on 19 September 2026. Self-service kiosks will roll out to all 432 SASSA offices nationwide, free Wi-Fi will be available for beneficiaries at offices, and WhatsApp enquiry channels will allow grant holders to check status, update details and lodge queries without visiting a branch.
Daily Maverick's Digital Profiteers investigation (Part 3, 4 September 2026) reveals that two insurers — Clientele Life and Sanlam subsidiaries — collect 87% of all funeral policy deductions from SASSA grants, totalling approximately R143 million per month from nearly one million beneficiaries. Many were enrolled without meaningful consent. SASSA law limits deductions to one, capped at 10% of the grant — but enforcement has been inconsistent.
You can change your SASSA SRD phone number online at srd.sassa.gov.za. The process sends an OTP to your old number to verify you — if you no longer have access to your old number, there is an alternative in-person process explained below.
Why Your SASSA Phone Number Matters
Your registered cellphone number is your login key to srd.sassa.gov.za. SASSA uses it for:
OTP (one-time pin) login authentication
Payment notifications (some regions)
Appeal and status update communication
If SASSA has the wrong number on your account, you cannot log in, check your status, change banking details, or receive your OTP. Update it before it becomes urgent.
How to Change Your SASSA SRD Phone Number Online
You need access to your current registered number to complete this process. An OTP will be sent to your old number first.
Step 1: Go to srd.sassa.gov.za on your phone or computer.
Step 2: Find the “Change Contact Details” or “Update Phone Number” option on your dashboard.
Step 3: Enter your 13-digit South African ID number.
Step 4: An OTP is sent to your current registered number — enter it to verify your identity.
Step 5: Enter your new cellphone number.
Step 6: A second OTP is sent to your new number — enter it to confirm the new number is accessible.
Step 7: Change confirmed. Your new number is now registered with your SASSA account.
Do not close the page before the second OTP step. If you do, the update may not complete and you may need to start again.
What If You No Longer Have Your Old Phone Number?
If you lost your SIM card, changed networks, or can no longer receive OTPs on your old number, you cannot use the online process — it requires the old number to send the first OTP.
When visiting a SASSA office, bring your original green barcoded ID or Smart ID (not a copy). Have your new cellphone number written down and ready to give to the agent.
How Long Does It Take to Update?
Method
Time to Reflect
Online
Immediate — same session
SASSA office (in person)
1–3 working days
After Changing Your Number — What to Check
Once your number is updated:
Log in to srd.sassa.gov.za using your new number to confirm it works.
Verify your banking details are still correct — they should not have changed, but confirm.
Check your SRD status to confirm your application is showing correctly.
If you need to do any other account updates (banking details, reconfirmation), do them now while you are logged in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my SASSA phone number online?
Yes — if you still have access to your old registered number. Log in at srd.sassa.gov.za, go to “Change Contact Details,” and follow the two-OTP verification process.
What if I don’t have my old SIM card anymore?
You cannot change your number online without the old SIM. Visit your nearest SASSA office with your original ID. The process takes 1–3 working days. See the change phone without OTP guide for the full process.
How do I change my phone number without OTP?
Visit a SASSA office in person with your original South African ID. SASSA staff can update the number manually without requiring an OTP. Full details in our dedicated guide.
Will changing my phone number affect my payment?
No. Changing your phone number alone does not affect your payment. Your banking details remain linked to your application. Only a banking details change will affect where your payment is sent.
Can I change my SASSA phone number at Pick n Pay or Shoprite?
No. SASSA phone number changes are done at srd.sassa.gov.za (online) or at a SASSA office. Pick n Pay and Shoprite handle cash payments and balance checks for some grant types, but not account detail changes.
Written by
Busi Mdluli
Grant & Social Fund Researcher — South Africa
Busi specialises in South African social grant systems and SASSA policy. Every guide on this site is independently researched, verified against official SASSA sources, and updated whenever SASSA releases new dates, amounts, or policy changes.