SASSA Contact Guide 2026
The main SASSA contact number is 0800 60 10 11. This is a toll-free number available from any South African mobile or landline. It is the fastest way to speak to SASSA about your grant, SRD application, payment problems, or complaints.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Number | 0800 60 10 11 |
| Cost | Free — toll-free from all SA networks |
| Hours (weekdays) | Monday–Friday 08:00–16:00 |
| Hours (Saturday) | 08:00–12:00 (limited service) |
| Public holidays | Closed |
The 0800 prefix means the call is free from both landlines and mobile phones on South African networks (MTN, Vodacom, Cell C, Telkom, and others).
| Task | Available by Phone? |
|---|---|
| Check SRD application status | Yes |
| Report a missing payment | Yes |
| Lodge a complaint | Yes |
| Request grant eligibility information | Yes |
| Update contact details | Limited — some changes require office visit |
| Change banking details | Not by phone — use srd.sassa.gov.za |
| Report fraud or scams | Yes |
| Recover lost reference number | Yes (with ID verification) |
When the call centre is busy, try WhatsApp: 082 046 8553. This is useful for:
WhatsApp is available 24/7 (automated) with human agents during office hours. See the full SASSA WhatsApp guide.
If the national number is busy, you can contact your provincial SASSA office directly. Numbers are listed on the official SASSA website at www.sassa.gov.za/contact.
Provincial offices are available during standard office hours and can assist with the same range of queries as the national helpline.
Best times to call:
What to have ready before calling:
If your call drops: Call back. SASSA agents can resume assistance from where you left off once you provide your ID number again.
Yes. 0800 is a toll-free number prefix in South Africa. Calls to 0800 60 10 11 are free from all South African landlines and mobile networks.
The SASSA call centre opens at 08:00 Monday to Friday and closes at 16:00. Limited Saturday service runs 08:00–12:00. The centre is closed on Sundays and public holidays.
SASSA serves over 18 million grant beneficiaries. The call centre receives extremely high volumes of calls, especially in the first week of each month after payment dates. Calling early in the morning or using the WhatsApp channel (082 046 8553) reduces wait time significantly.
SASSA does not have an official SMS service for general queries. Use WhatsApp (082 046 8553) as a text-based alternative to calling, or use the online portal at srd.sassa.gov.za for SRD-specific tasks.
Ready to check your SASSA status?
Use the official SASSA portal — free and updated monthly.
