Can South Africans Living Abroad Get R370 Payment?

SASSA has always been a helping hand for those in need. Millions of South Africans rely on it to pay bills, buy groceries, and manage daily life. If you are living outside the country but hold a valid South African passport, you might wonder how to apply for the SRD R370 grant. This guide will make the process simple for you.

I will walk you through who is eligible for the SRD grant and who is not. Plus, if you are abroad, I’ll explain the steps you need to take to apply. When I applied myself, I was nervous about doing it from another country, but following the right steps made it smooth and stress free.

Can South Africans Living Abroad Get R370 Grant Payment?

First, it’s important to know that the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) provides grants only to those who qualify. This includes South African citizens, refugees, and asylum seekers. You won’t be able to receive the SRD R370 grant if your monthly income is above R624 or if you are employed anywhere.

If you live outside South Africa but still have South African citizenship and meet all the  SRD grant qualification criteria, you can still receive this grant. When I applied from abroad, I was careful to double-check my income and employment status, and it helped me avoid delays in the process.

How Can A Person Living Abroad With South African Citizenship Apply for the SRD Grant?

If you are a South African citizen living abroad and want to apply for the COVID-19 SRD R370 grant, there are a few important eligibility rules you must meet before starting your application.

SRD Grant Eligibility Requirements:

• You must be a South African citizen.
• You should be between 18 and 59 years old.
• You cannot be receiving any other government grant, such as NSFAS, UIF, or the old-age grant.
• Your monthly income must not be more than R624.
• You must not be employed in South Africa.
• You need to be struggling financially or unable to cover your basic needs.
• You must have a valid South African ID number.
• You must have an active South African phone number to receive OTPs.
• If you tick all these boxes, you are ready to apply for the SRD grant. When I applied, having my ID and phone ready made the process much faster and less stressful.

If you meet all the rules, you can now apply for the SRD grant by following these simple steps:

Steps to Apply Online for SRD Grant:

1. Visit the SRD Portal
   Go to https://srd.sassa.gov.za
   to start your application.
2. Select Your Citizenship
   Scroll down and choose the option that fits your status. Since you are a South African citizen, click on “South African Citizen.”
3. Click on Apply for the SRD Grant
   Look for the “Apply for COVID-19 SRD Grant” button and select it.
4. Enter Your South African Phone Number
   Type in your South African mobile number. This is crucial because the system will send you a One-Time Pin (OTP) for verification.
5. Verify Your OTP
   You’ll receive the OTP on your phone. Enter it on the portal to confirm your number.
6. Enter Your ID Number
   Provide your valid South African ID number to proceed.
7. Fill Out the Application Form
   Complete the form with your personal information, financial details, and any other requested information.
8. Submit Your Application
   Double-check that all your details are correct, then click Submit.

Once submitted, your application is complete. Keep an eye on your status online to see updates. When I applied, I checked the portal daily, it felt reassuring to see the progress in real time.

How to Check Grant Application Status From Abroad?

If you are living in countries like Pakistan, India, or Bangladesh, you will need a VPN to access the srd.sassa.gov.za
portal. From other countries, you can visit the portal directly without any extra steps.

• Open the srd.sassa.gov.za  on your laptop or phone.
• Click on “Check Application Status.”
• Enter your South African ID number and your South African phone number in the SASSA status check tool.
• Your SRD grant status will appear instantly on the screen.

When I checked my own status from abroad, it was quick and reassuring to see everything updated in real time.

Can I Visit the SASSA Office Abroad?

SASSA does not have offices outside South Africa. If you are living in another country, you won’t be able to visit a physical SASSA office. All SRD grant applications and related services are handled online through the official website: srd.sassa.gov.za.

If you need assistance, you can contact SASSA through the website, by email, or via their call center. Make sure you have a working South African phone number to receive OTPs. All communication, verification, and applications are done digitall, even for South African citizens living abroad.

When I applied from outside the country, I found that using the online portal and keeping my phone ready for OTPs made everything much easier and faster.