SRD Lost Phone Number? Here’s How to Update It Quickly!
Have you Lost access to the phone number you used for your SASSA SRD R370 grant? That number is key for receiving OTPs, status updates, and payments. If it’s gone, don’t panic.
SASSA allows you to update your SRD phone number safely if you follow the correct, official steps explained below.
How to Update SRD Lost Phone Number Easily? (Quick Summary)
Contents
- 1 How to Update SRD Lost Phone Number Easily? (Quick Summary)
- 2 Why Updating Your SRD Phone Number Matters?
- 3 Method 1: Change Your SRD Phone Number Online (If You Know Your Application ID)
- 4 Method 2: Don’t Know Your Application ID? Here’s How to Find It
- 5 Method 3: Lost Phone and No Application ID? Visit a SASSA Office
- 6 Method 4: Can’t Visit a SASSA Office? Call the Toll-Free Helpline
- 7 How to Know If Your Phone Number Was Successfully Updated?
- 8 Important Tips to Avoid Problems
- 9 Why Some Phone Number Changes Fail?
- 10 Final Thoughts
SRD Lost Phone Number? To update it, go to srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/contact, enter your ID and Application ID, then click Submit. Choose “Change Phone Number”, enter your new number and reason. Verify the OTP sent to your new number, then click Submit to confirm the update.
Why Updating Your SRD Phone Number Matters?
Your SRD R370 grant relies on the phone number linked to your application. That number is used to verify your identity, deliver One-Time PINs (OTPs), and confirm payment updates. If you’ve lost access to it, you won’t be able to track your application or receive funds securely.
SASSA (South African Social Security Agency) uses this number as a core identity verifier for your COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant (SRD).
So if it’s lost, stolen, or inactive, you must update it right away to avoid delays or rejections.
Method 1: Change Your SRD Phone Number Online (If You Know Your Application ID)
This is the fastest and most convenient method if you still have your Application ID:
- Go to the official SASSA contact update page:
👉 https://srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/contact - Enter your 13-digit South African ID number (no spaces).
- Type in your 6-digit Application ID.
- Click “Submit” to proceed.
- Choose the option “Change Phone Number”.
- Enter your new cellphone number.
- Select your reason for changing the number (e.g. phone lost, number no longer active, etc.).
- SASSA will send an OTP (One-Time PIN) to the new number.
- Enter the OTP and click “Verify PIN.”
- Finally, confirm your request by clicking “Submit.”
SASSA typically takes up to 14 days to update your number in the system. After that period, you can log back into the SRD status page to check if your number was updated.
Method 2: Don’t Know Your Application ID? Here’s How to Find It
If you lost your number but can still access your old SIM card, you can retrieve your Application ID using this method:
- Go to the SRD status check page:
👉 https://srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/status - Enter your ID number and your old cellphone number.
- Click “Submit.”
- Your Application ID will be displayed in the first line of the results.
Once you have it, return to the SASSA contact update page and follow the steps listed in Method 1 to change your phone number.
⚠️ Note: If your old number is inactive and cannot receive OTPs, skip to Method 3.
Method 3: Lost Phone and No Application ID? Visit a SASSA Office
If you’ve lost access to both your old phone number and don’t remember your Application ID, visiting a SASSA office in person is the most reliable option.
Here’s what to do:
- Go to your nearest SASSA local office during business hours.
- Bring your valid South African ID book or Smart ID card.
- Let the staff know you need to update your SRD phone number.
- Fill out a phone number change form, which they will provide.
- Make sure all details are correct and legible before submitting.
- Request a reference number or confirmation slip.
After submitting, wait up to 14 working days for the changes to reflect. You’ll be notified via SMS or can check your status online using your new number.
Method 4: Can’t Visit a SASSA Office? Call the Toll-Free Helpline
If you’re unable to visit an office due to distance, disability, or health issues, you can still update your number by calling SASSA.
Here’s how:
- Dial the SASSA Call Centre at 0800 601 011 (Toll-Free).
- Follow the prompts or ask to speak with an agent.
- Tell them you need to change your phone number for the SRD grant.
- Provide your South African ID number and any other personal details they request.
- Answer any security questions they use to verify your identity.
- Follow the agent’s instructions to complete your request.
Keep a record of the date, time, and name of the agent for future reference.
This method also takes up to 14 days to complete.
How to Know If Your Phone Number Was Successfully Updated?
After you’ve submitted the change request using any of the four methods, give it at least 14 calendar days before checking.
Follow these steps to confirm:
- Visit the SRD grant status check page:
👉 https://srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/status - Enter your South African ID number.
- Use your new cellphone number.
- If your SRD application details appear, your number was updated successfully.
If no results show, it may mean your change is still pending or was not processed. In that case, follow up using the call center.
Important Tips to Avoid Problems
- ✅ Only use official SASSA platforms like their website or call center to update your details.
- ❌ Never pay anyone to change your number SASSA does this service for free.
- ⚠️ Avoid changing numbers too often. Repeated updates can trigger payment delays or require additional verification.
- 📱 Your new number must be registered in your own name and must be a South African mobile number otherwise you’ll get Invalid Phone number error.
- 🔍 Always double-check your ID number, Application ID, and new phone number before submitting any form.
- 🧾 Keep any confirmation messages, OTPs, or reference numbers related to your request.
- ⏳ Be patient. Wait the full 14-day processing window before contacting SASSA again.
Why Some Phone Number Changes Fail?
Sometimes, users report that their number doesn’t update after following the steps. Common reasons include:
- Mismatched ID or Application ID
- Typing errors in the new number
- New phone number not in your name
- Failure to enter the correct OTP
- Submitting through unofficial or outdated channels
To avoid these errors, always use official links, verify your details before submission, and make sure your SIM is registered under your identity.
Final Thoughts
Losing your phone number doesn’t mean losing access to your SRD grant. Whether online, by phone, or in person, you have clear and secure ways to update your contact info.
Just make sure you use the correct method based on your situation, and always use official SASSA channels. Once your number is updated, you can continue receiving your R370 monthly grant without disruption.

I’m Mbali Mhlongo, founder of SASSACheckStatus.com with over 3 years of experience helping SASSA beneficiaries. I write informative blogs, share updates, and provide step-by-step guidance on grants, payments, and status checks. My mission is to make SASSA support easy, reliable, and accessible for everyone in South Africa.