SASSA SRD Change Phone Number Online (2026 Guide)

SRD CONTACT DETAILS

Use the official SASSA SRD change phone number process when the SIM linked to your R370 application is lost, inactive, incorrect or no longer under your control. SASSA uses the registered number for application access, verification messages and important status communication.

Before You Change Your SASSA SRD Phone Number

Prepare the information that matches your SRD application before starting a SASSA SRD change phone number request. Depending on the route and verification checks presented to you, you may need:

• Your 13-digit South African ID number.
• Your six-digit SRD Application ID (AppID), if you still have it.
• An active new SIM and cellphone number that you control.
• A phone with a working camera if the system requests facial-recognition verification.
• Enough mobile data and good lighting to complete the verification process.

How to Use the SASSA SRD Change Phone Number Process Online

1. Open the official mobile-number update page

Go directly to srd.dsd.gov.za/sc19/mobile-number-update. The page states that SASSA must first verify that the person requesting the change is the original applicant.

2. Enter your South African ID number

Submit the same 13-digit ID number used for the SRD application. Check every digit before continuing. Never send an ID number to an agent on WhatsApp, Facebook or a third-party form.

3. Choose the reason and current payment option

The official update page asks why the mobile number needs to change and shows a field for the current payment option. Select the answer that accurately describes your situation. Do not guess or submit different reasons repeatedly.

4. Complete the identity check

SASSA’s current You and Your Grant guide says that applicants changing a cellphone number must undergo facial-recognition verification. Follow the live instructions carefully. Use a clear camera, remove anything covering your face and work in even lighting. The prompts shown by the official system are the instructions that apply to your request.

5. Provide and confirm the new number

Enter an active number that you control. If an OTP or confirmation message is sent, enter it only on the official page. Keep the SIM available because future SRD communication may be sent to the updated number.

6. Save the confirmation

Wait for the on-screen result and save a screenshot that does not expose sensitive information. The government does not publish one guaranteed processing time for every case. Avoid submitting the same request again and again while verification is still in progress.

Alternative Route: Update With Your Application ID

If the main SASSA SRD change phone number route is unavailable and you have the six-digit AppID issued when you applied or reapplied, the official contact-details update page asks for both your 13-digit ID number and AppID. It can be used to update the cellphone number and/or email address linked to the application.

The page also warns that only one contact-details update request can be submitted in a 24-hour period. Repeated attempts may therefore delay rather than speed up the process.

What If You Lost the Old SIM or Do Not Have the AppID?

Start with the mobile-number update route that verifies the original applicant by ID and identity checks. If the portal cannot verify you, call the SASSA toll-free contact centre on 0800 60 10 11. Explain that you no longer control the old number and ask which official recovery route applies to your application.

Do not pay anyone to “recover” an AppID or bypass verification. A third party cannot legitimately guarantee an update, approval or payment date.

Does Changing the Phone Number Change Your Banking Details?

No. Contact details and payment details are separate parts of the SRD record. Changing the cellphone number does not automatically replace a bank account. If the banking information also needs attention, follow our separate guide on how to change SASSA banking details and use only the link issued by the official SRD system.

Can a Number Change Affect an SRD Payment?

The update does not by itself decide whether you qualify for SRD. However, an incorrect number can prevent access to OTPs, verification requests and payment communication. Complete any identity check requested by SASSA, then use the SRD status-check guide to review the current month. For permanent-grant dates and an explanation of individual SRD paydays, see the current SASSA payment schedule.

If the status is approved, check the payday field. SASSA’s official status guidance explains that an approval without a payday means a payment has not yet been processed. The number update does not create an instant payment date.

Common Problems and Safe Next Steps

Problem	Safe next step
ID number is not accepted	Recheck all 13 digits and confirm that the same ID was used for the SRD application.
Facial recognition fails	Use even lighting, a clean camera and a stable connection, then follow the official retry instruction.
No OTP arrives	Check the new number, signal and SMS inbox. Do not share an OTP with anyone.
AppID is missing	Try the ID-based mobile update route or call 0800 60 10 11 for official assistance.
Update is not reflected immediately	Keep the confirmation, allow verification to finish and avoid repeated submissions.
Someone changed the number without permission	Contact SASSA immediately and report suspected fraud; do not continue through links received from strangers.

Avoid These Mobile-Number Update Scams

• A SASSA SRD change phone number request is free; never pay an “agent” for an update.
• Never send an ID photo, selfie, OTP or banking PIN through social media.
• Do not trust a link merely because it contains the word SASSA.
• Check the full domain before entering information: official SRD services use government-controlled sassa.gov.za or dsd.gov.za addresses.
• SASSA says it will never request a bank PIN during an interaction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my SASSA SRD phone number online?

Yes. The official SASSA SRD change phone number service lets South African ID holders start on the mobile-number update page and complete the identity-verification process shown there.

Do I need my old phone number?

The ID-based update route exists for number changes, including situations where an old number is unavailable. The system must still verify that you are the original applicant.

Is facial recognition required?

SASSA’s current official grant guide states that applicants who want to change an SRD cellphone number must undergo facial-recognition verification.

How often can I submit a contact update?

The AppID contact-update page allows one request within a 24-hour period. Do not submit duplicate requests unnecessarily.

How long does a SASSA phone-number change take?

There is no single guaranteed time published for every case. Verification requirements and the details of the request can affect how quickly the update reflects.

Can I use somebody else’s number?

Use a number you control. Where a cellphone number is connected to a payment option, official SASSA guidance says it must be registered in the approved applicant’s name.

Will the update change my SRD status?

A contact update does not automatically approve or decline an application. Check each month’s result through the official SRD status service.

Where can I get official help?

Use the official SASSA SRD portal or call the SASSA contact centre on 0800 60 10 11.

Official Sources and Review

• DSD/SASSA SRD mobile-number update page
• DSD/SASSA contact-details update page
• SASSA: You and Your Grant guide
• Official SRD status guidance

Published and last verified: 14 August 2026 · Reviewed by: SA Grant Dates Editorial Team