When your SRD result says “referred”, SASSA’s system has flagged something about your identity that a person or a further check must clear before the application can go on. Typical flags are a possible identity mismatch, a suspicion of fraud, or an ID number that is already registered on another application. A referral is a hold, not a final answer, and in most cases you can clear it yourself by proving that you are the real applicant.
How referred differs from pending and declined
- Pending means the routine monthly checks have not finished. You wait; there is nothing to fix. Our page on what a pending R370 month means covers that stage.
- Referred means the checks stopped on a red flag about who is applying. The application will not move until the flag is dealt with, so waiting alone may not help.
- Declined is a decision that you did not qualify for a month, with a reason shown, and it is the only outcome you can appeal.
Why SASSA refers an application
SASSA has not published a detailed list of referral triggers. Its status guidance names three broad groups:
- ID already registered: your ID number is already tied to an SRD application, sometimes one that someone else submitted using your details.
- A possible identity problem: something about the person applying does not sit right with the records SASSA holds, so SASSA wants proof that the applicant is the ID holder.
- Possible fraud: the system has picked up a pattern that SASSA treats as a fraud risk and wants verified before paying.
A recent change of cellphone number is also worth bearing in mind: SASSA requires a facial-recognition check whenever the SRD number changes, and the application waits until that check is done.
None of these is the same as failing the means test. Income, UIF, SARS or NSFAS hits lead to a decline with a stated reason, which our guide to how SASSA’s eligibility checks decide your result explains.
Steps to clear a referred status
SASSA’s 2026 grant booklet sets out this route for a referred SRD application:
- Go to the official SRD site, srd.sassa.gov.za, and type in your ID and the number on your application.
- Ask for a link to update your details. SASSA sends it by SMS to your registered number.
- Open the link and complete the facial biometric check: a selfie that SASSA matches to your Home Affairs photo. Use good light, face the camera straight on and remove glasses.
- Check your status again over the following days to see whether the month has moved on.
If the link does not arrive, the selfie keeps failing or you no longer have the registered number, call 0800 60 10 11 or go to a SASSA office with your ID. Offices have equipment to complete the identity check on the spot.
While your case is referred
- Do not submit a fresh application. A duplicate can add to the very flag you are trying to clear.
- Keep the registered SIM active so the SMS link and PINs reach you.
- Ignore anyone offering to clear a referral for a fee. SASSA’s identity check is free and only runs through sassa.gov.za links or an office.
- If the referral has not lifted weeks after you completed verification, follow the escalation route on our page about SRD results that stay stuck for weeks.
Should the month later turn to declined, the appeal process applies from that point; see how to appeal a declined SRD month.