SASSA Referred Status

SASSA Referred Status means you need to verify your identity. The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) security system has flagged your details for further verification because it detected potential fraud or suspicious activity. This fraud prevention system makes sure grants are paid only to eligible beneficiaries and reduces the risk of payments going to the wrong person.

Seeing your SASSA status as “Referred” does not mean your grant application has been rejected, it simply means you must verify your identity before your application can be approved for monthly payments. Verifying your ID protects your personal information and ensures no one can use false details to claim your grant.

Reasons for Referred Status

SASSA refers applications for several reasons. The most common reason is lack of verification, particularly pending biometric identity verification. You can check the other most common reasons below.

Data Matching Error: Your status referred to the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) if mistakes like a wrong ID number, misspelled name, or incorrect personal details cause your ID not to match the official records.

Identity Fraud: If your ID is linked to a fraud case or has been reported as misused, your application and personal details will be referred to the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS) for review.

Misused Phone Number: If someone uses your cellphone number to apply for a SASSA grant already linked to your account, the security system will flag it for verification.

Suspicious Activity: If your application is updated multiple times within a month, with changes to your personal details, phone number, or banking information, the SASSA system may flag it as suspicious activity.

Duplicate Applications: If duplicate applications are found under the same ID or personal details, the system will trigger a security check and flag your record for further verification.

How to Fix SASSA Referred Status

You can resolve your referred status at the SASSA office following these steps.

1. Go to your local SASSA office to verify your identity.
2. Ask a SASSA representative to help resolve your referred status.
3. You need to provide your original South African ID document.
4. SASSA officials will take your fingerprints to complete the biometric verification.
5. Confirm that all your personal information is correct, including
   • Your registered phone number
   • Full name and surname
   • Date of birth and gender
6. If any records are mismatched, request that your information be updated.
7. Confirm that your phone number is not linked to someone else’s application.
8. If there are any duplicate applications, submit a cancellation request.
9. Wait for the SASSA system to update your details and change your status.

How long does it take to resolve my referred status?

After completing your ID verification and updating your information, it can take up to 14 working days for SASSA to resolve your referred status. During this time, SASSA completes its manual review and updates your records in its system, making you eligible for the grant payment.

Where can I confirm my SASSA referred status has changed?

You can confirm your Referred status on the SASSA portal online using this link https://srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/ekyc/referredstatus/. Enter your ID number and registered phone number, then follow the prompts to receive confirmation.

When will I get paid after my referred status is updated?

Once your status changes from Referred to Approved, your payment will be processed and issued for the next month. You can check the SASSA payment dates for the exact schedule. SASSA will pay any outstanding payments for the months you were eligible, starting from the date of your application.