Check your SASSA grant balance using USSD, the SASSA app or online at sassa.gov.za. The fastest route is USSD: dial *120*3210# from the cellphone you registered with SASSA, follow the menu, and enter your SASSA gold card number or your South African ID number. The system returns your current balance, last payment date and next payment date.
ALSO READ: SRD R350 Status Check 2026: How to Check Your SASSA Grant Status
How to check your SASSA balance via USSD
Dial *120*3210# from any cellphone on any network. Follow the menu prompts:
- Choose your grant type — Old Age, Disability, Child Support or other
- Enter your SASSA gold card number or your 13-digit South African ID number
- Submit
The system returns your current balance, the date of the last payment, and the date of the next scheduled payment. USSD costs apply per network. Sessions are short and typically cost a few cents.
USSD does not require data, an app or internet — it works on any phone, including basic feature phones. This is the most reliable balance check route for grant recipients without smartphones.
How to check your SASSA balance via the SASSA app
The SASSA app is available free on the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. Search “SASSA” and download the official app published by the South African Social Security Agency. Avoid third-party apps that imitate SASSA branding — they are not endorsed.
- Open the app and create an account using your South African ID and registered cellphone number
- Verify the OTP sent to your cellphone
- Tap “My Grants” or “Balance”
- The app displays your current balance and recent payment history
The app also lets you check application status, update banking details and lodge appeals. Data charges apply, so use Wi-Fi where available.
How to check your SASSA balance online
Go to sassa.gov.za. Navigate to the Services menu and click on “My Profile” or “Account Login.” Sign in with your South African ID number and the password you set up at registration.
If you have not registered an online profile yet, click “Register” and complete verification using your ID number and the cellphone number on file with SASSA. Once logged in, your dashboard shows current balance, payment history and grant details.
How to check your SRD R350 balance separately
The SRD R350 grant runs on a separate system. To check your SRD balance and payment status, go to srd.sassa.gov.za and enter your ID number plus the cellphone number used at application. The portal shows the status of every month — paid, pending, declined, or appealed — and the amount paid in each cycle.
How to check your SASSA gold card balance at an ATM
Insert your SASSA gold card and select “Balance Enquiry” from the standard ATM menu. The PIN is the four-digit code SASSA issued at registration. ATM transaction fees apply per your bank, so balance enquiries at non-Postbank ATMs may cost more than at Postbank ATMs. You can also check the balance free of charge at any retailer that accepts the SASSA card by asking the cashier before purchase.
What to do if your balance shows zero after a payment date
If a balance check returns zero on or after the scheduled payment date for your grant, work through three checks before contacting SASSA:
- Confirm the payment date. SASSA pays grants in a three-day cycle starting on the third of the month or the next business day. Your specific grant type may not have been processed yet.
- Confirm where the payment was sent. Funds may have been routed to a different payment method than you expected — bank transfer instead of retailer collection, for example.
- Check for a Bank Details Pending status. If banking details are flagged as unverified, payment is held until the issue is resolved.
If none of the above explains the zero balance, contact the SASSA call centre on 0800 60 10 11 with your ID and SASSA card number ready.
Frequently asked questions
Q: What is the SASSA balance check USSD code?
A: *120*3210# from any cellphone on any network. Standard network USSD charges apply per session.
Q: Can I check someone else’s SASSA balance?
A: No. SASSA balance enquiries require the registered cellphone number for the grant or the recipient’s own ID number. This protects against fraud.
Q: Why is my SASSA balance not showing on USSD?
A: Most commonly because you are dialling from a cellphone number not registered with SASSA, or because the most recent payment cycle has not yet processed for your grant type. Try again from the registered number after the scheduled payment date.
Q: How do I check my SASSA gold card balance at an ATM?
A: Insert your gold card, enter the four-digit PIN issued at registration and select “Balance Enquiry.” ATM transaction fees apply.
Q: Is there a SASSA WhatsApp number for balance checks?
A: SASSA’s WhatsApp service (082 046 8553) handles SRD R350 status checks, not balance enquiries on standard grants. For standard grant balances, use USSD, the SASSA app, an ATM, or sassa.gov.za.
Sources: South African Social Security Agency, SASSA SRD Portal
