Quick summary
- A SASSA banking details update for the SRD R370 grant is done online at srd.sassa.gov.za.
- The account must be in the beneficiary’s name as it appears on their ID.
- Permanent grant beneficiaries must update in person at a SASSA office.
- Bank verification takes a few working days to several weeks.
- New details only apply to future payments, not retroactively.
Whether you have switched banks or closed an old account, a SASSA banking details update is the only way to keep your grant payments flowing. The process differs depending on whether you receive the SRD grant or a permanent grant.
Below is the verified 2026 procedure for both.
Why you need to update your banking details
Failing to update your account on the SASSA system means your payment will be rejected by the bank and returned to SASSA. You then wait for a follow-up payment, which can take several weeks.
Common reasons beneficiaries update their details include switching to a bank with lower fees, closing dormant accounts, or correcting a typo in their account number.
SASSA banking details update for SRD R370 beneficiaries
The SRD process is fully online and works through a one-time secure link.
To update your banking details:
- Visit srd.sassa.gov.za
- Scroll to the banking details update section
- Enter your South African ID number
- Wait for the SMS link sent to your registered cellphone number
- Click the link and enter your new bank name and account number
- Submit the form
SASSA sends the new details to the bank for verification. This typically takes a few working days but can stretch to several weeks depending on the bank.
SASSA banking details update for permanent grants
Permanent grant beneficiaries cannot update banking details online. This includes:
- Older persons grant
- Disability grant
- Child support grant
- Care dependency grant
- Foster child grant
- Grant-in-aid
- War veterans grant
You must visit a SASSA office in person. Take your green barcoded ID or smart card, a recent bank statement not older than three months, and proof of residence. SASSA requires biometric verification on the day.
Submit the request before the 15th of the month if you want the change to reflect in the next payment cycle. After the 15th, the update applies from the month after.
What counts as acceptable proof of banking
SASSA only accepts an account that belongs to the beneficiary. The agency cannot deposit a grant into a third party account, even with consent.
Acceptable proof of banking includes:
- A bank-issued statement not older than three months
- A stamped letter from the bank confirming the account details
- An official bank confirmation letter downloaded from the banking app
A handwritten note or a screenshot of a banking app will not be accepted by SASSA staff.
How long verification takes
The bank verification step is the slowest part of the process. SASSA sends the new details to the bank, which checks the account against its FICA records. The bank then confirms back to SASSA whether the account is active and registered in the beneficiary’s name.
If verification fails, you will receive an SMS asking you to correct the information.
Common reasons a SASSA banking details update fails
Most failed updates come down to mismatched information.
The frequent rejection reasons are:
- Account is in a different name to the ID holder
- Joint account with someone else listed as the primary holder
- Account is closed or dormant
- Account is a stokvel or club account that does not accept government payments
- ID number does not match the bank’s FICA record
Fix the underlying issue and resubmit. Repeated failed attempts can flag your profile for manual review.
What to do if you are locked out of your cellphone number
If you no longer have access to the cellphone number registered with SASSA, the online update will not work. You will not receive the SMS link.
The fix is to first update your cellphone number on the SASSA system. Read our step-by-step guide on changing your SASSA cellphone number before attempting the banking update.
After the update is complete
You will not be paid the missed months retroactively. The updated banking details only apply to the next valid payment cycle.
If your profile is currently declined, the new account will not unlock a payment on its own. You still have to address the reason for the decline. If you have not yet appealed, read our guide on the SASSA appeal process for the next steps.
Keep your reference numbers, save your confirmation SMS, and check your SASSA status weekly until the update reflects on your profile.
About this article
Nuusflits is a South African news publication covering current affairs, social grants and consumer information. This article is sourced from official primary sources, including the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), the Department of Social Development, the National Treasury and SAnews. Facts are verified against the published 2026/27 social grant schedule and current SASSA policy. Last updated 21 May 2026.
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