Change Phone Number in SASSA | Step by Step Guide
SASSA may block all notifications about grants and SRD R370 payments if an applicant changes phone number without notifying the authorities. Hence, this article will share the official guide on “How to Change Phone Number in SASSA Personal Details?”

In practice, SASSA offers several mediums to applicants to change or update their phone number within the provided SASSA SRD Personal Details, including the official SASSA Website, SASSA Helpline, and SASSA Field Offices.
Before updating the phone number in SRD R370 Personal Details, applicants should ensure that the old number is no longer in use. In the meantime, they should register the new mobile number in their own names.
Why To Change Phone Number
It is important to ensure your phone number is updated with SASSA to stay informed about all notifications regarding your SASSA personal details. An expired number can cause you to miss OTPs, payment alerts, or other important communications.
Lost or Stolen Phone
Someone might get access to your SASSA messages and OTPs in case you lose or steal your phone. It is important to update your number to ensure your personal information is safe and accessible.
New SIM Card or Network Change
You cannot use your old SIM card or telecom provider once you switch to the new one. With an inactive number, SASSA is unable to make contact and therefore sends notifications late or fails to send them altogether.
Mistakenly Captured Number
In other cases, you may have entered your phone number incorrectly during the application. A wrong number can result in misplaced OTPs or a lack of grant notification. Having made this error, rectifying it will help ensure that no SASSA communication is lost on you.
Used Someone Else’s Number
When you have given a friend or relative’s telephone number for the first time, you may no longer be able to reach them. Making it your number ensures that only you receive notifications for grants.
Privacy or Verification Issues
Getting OTPs or other notifications you did not solicit may indicate that a third party is trying to access your account. This is because a current number will protect your account and prevent any fraud.
Guide To Change Phone Number in SASSA
SASSA has also provided a new online form for updating your SRD phone number, which is faster and safer. This has made the system require biometric verification of the person making changes to prevent others from doing so.
- Navigate to the official SASSA Website or Visit the mobile number update section of SASSA: https://srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/mobile-number-update.
- Enter your 13-digit South African ID and select the reason for updating your phone number (Lost phone, New phone, Used a third-party phone, Captured number wrong).
- Click Verify identity, then enable camera access for the process.
- Follow the instructions for the liveness scan, keep your head still, keep off hats or glasses, and ensure there is good light.
- You need to place your face in the oval shape and stay still as the system takes your picture.
- Your image will be automatically verified against the Department of Home Affairs records.
- After checking, enter your new mobile number.
- SASSA will send you a One-Time PIN (OTP) on your new number. Enter the OTP to update.
- A new number has been successfully registered, and you will receive confirmation messages.
Change SASSA SRD Phone Number Offline
If you are not connected to the internet or would simply prefer to update your SRD phone number manually, you can do so by sending it to SASSA. This ensures that beneficiaries, such as those who are not digitally connected, can update their contact information.
Update SRD Phone Number via SASSA Helpline
If you are unable to update your SRD phone number online, the SASSA helpline offers the option to do so by telephone. It is a secure way to request an update on numbers with the assistance of a SASSA agent.
- Dial 0800 60 10 11, which is free.
- You must have a 13-digit South African identification number and the old cell phone number of your SRD grant.
- Call the agent and inform him that you wish to change your SRD phone number.
- When the agent calls your name, he may ask you to tell him your full name, including your date of birth and other information about you.
- The agent will handle phone number verification and changes.
- After verification, the agent will process your phone number change.
- The update may also take several days; look into your phone regarding SASSA messages of confirmation.
Update SRD Phone Number via SASSA Office
Go to the newest SASSA office and renew your SRD phone number, and you are certain to be in touch with beneficiaries who use your support better face-to-face. This will be a safe way to update your details, particularly when you are having trouble with the online system.
- Find an office of SASSA in your area of residence and pay during office hours.
- Take your South African identification number, your old phone number, and the new phone number you would like to register.
- Warn the employees that you are changing your SRD phone number.
- Enter the details on the form with the appropriate new phone number.
- The employees can enquire to determine your identity before the change is processed.
- Get the form back from the SASSA staff for processing.
- After the update is successful, both the old and new phone numbers will receive confirmatory messages from SASSA.
Conclusion
In short, applicants should also update your SASSA phone number so they never miss any grant payments or OTPs. Whether online, via a helpline, or at an office, the proper procedure will be followed to ensure a smooth update process.
You are also supposed to ensure you keep your contact information up to date, as fraudsters might misuse it and inadvertently intercept your account. Lastly, bookmark our website and push the notification icon to receive an alert whenever we publish a new article or blog related to the SASSASRD R370.
FAQs
Can I change my SASSA phone number online without biometric verification?
No, SASSA has to verify biometrically any changes to online SRD phone numbers to ensure account security and prevent fraud.
How long does it take for SASSA to update my phone number?
It may even take 2 weeks to update, depending on the method used, but online updates with successful verification are generally higher quality.
What should I do if biometric verification fails?
In case of failure, visit the nearest Department of Home Affairs office to update your record and re-attempt the online phone number change sessions.
Can I update my phone number for other SASSA grants using the same process?
Here, online, helpline, or in-person use is also applicable to other grants, such as old age, disability, child support, foster care, and grant-in-aid.