SASSA Status Failed

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) serves 19 million vulnerable people each month, who are approved for the SRD grant. And this number has been growing since 2020. However, SASSA runs a very tight ship when it comes to payment of the grants and has zero tolerance for fraud and ineligibility. If you don’t comply with SASSA’s many terms and conditions, you simply won’t get the money. 

One of the big hurdles that a lot of people seem to hit when trying to get past SASSA’s status check is something called the “SASSA Status Failed Due to Identity Verification Failed” status.

Are you facing the issue of failed identity verification? Are you certain that this failure is a mistake and that you are definitely eligible for the grand payment? If so, you’re on the right website.

We will study the reasons SASSA gives for failing an SRD grant application and how you can steer clear of this kind of rejection if you are indeed eligible.

What is Identity Verification Failed Status?

SASSA utilizes identity information like first names, last names, dates of birth, and other types of identification to confirm a person’s identity. This is done to reduce the risk of fraudulent behavior. 

When you look at the wide spectrum of different identity verification processes and methods used by SASSA, it tells a complete story about the organization and the kind of identity fraud it is trying to prevent.

The significance of an identity verification failure is: 

“Some identity verification problems have been discovered by SASSA that relate to your SRD grant.”

Why My SASSA SRD Status is Failed Due to Identity Verification?

SASSA is most sensitive concerning which citizens are eligible to receive SASSA grants. Three grants, namely, the Older Person’s grant, the Disability grant, and the Child Support grant fit this description. Special consideration also applies to the SRD or COVID-19 special grant

Individuals who do not adhere to the SASSA regulations will receive either a declined status or a failed application status. When it comes to identity verification, this means that your identity documents were not passed due to certain problems.

It is infuriating to receive a status of failed application, and it can easily knock you off your motivating path. This is not a desirable outcome, but it is one that several people face. Numerous reasons could be at play here, and before we go any further, it is very important to remember that if you find yourself in this situation, it is not a reflection of your worth or potential.

How Does SASSA Verify Identity?

SASS has access to many government agencies that have the data of its citizens. Most commonly, SASSA taps into the Department of Home Affairs database to confirm the identity of its applicants.

Here are the specifics of these verifications:

• Name: Your full name must match the exact records at DHA. That means your first name and last name must match exactly and not reasonably close, which is all the better for the appearance of a coherent record.
• Identity Number: Your South African Identity Document (ID) number must be valid and correctly registered with the Department of Home Affairs.
• Your DOB: SASSA will check your Date of Birth and it should be the same as written on your ID card or passport.
• Other Government Entities: In certain situations, SASSA might ensure extra verification by checking with various other governmental institutions and databases.

Your SRD grant application will be marked as Identity Verification Failed and consequently rejected if any of these details do not match.

Reasons Why Your SASSA Identity Verification Failed

Discovering the causes of the SASSA status failure will enable you to comprehend the errors you are making. The following are the primary reasons for this problem:

Dissonance in Identity: Verify the personal details you supplied on the SASSA SRD grant application for the presence of typographical errors.

ID Number Incorrect: Ensure that you have entered your South African ID number correctly.

Many of the applicants changed their surnames after marriage, but they failed to update this change in the DHA database. They had to provide an alternate document in order to verify their name change post-marriage.

Obsolete or Incomplete DHA Records: The DHA can also be wrong. You should ensure that your current information is in the DHA data center and that it’s correct.

More than one application with the same identifying number but different particulars could mean that SASSA has some applicants it simply can’t trust. Thus, the logical result is that if SASSA can’t trust applicants, it will reject their applications.

Errors in Data Entry: If you make an error in completing the form, such as not spelling your name correctly or putting the wrong birth date, your application could be turned down.

In rare instances, an applicant may be found erroneously marked as deceased in the DHA records, resulting in the immediate rejection of the grant application.

How to Fix SASSA Identity Verification Failure?

Next, we will look at how to resolve a failed SASSA status with the help of our expert guide.

1. Verify Your Private Information

1. Access the srd.sassa.gov.za web portal and log into your account using your identity number.
2. Select the option to change your first or last name and click it.
3. Verify whether the spellings of your first name and last name are right or wrong.
4. Revise the text and have the revised details submitted for the changes made.

2. Validate Your DHA Documentation

1. Verify your information is correct and up to date in the records of the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) by visiting your nearest office.
2. If you have changed your surname recently—because of marriage, for example—make sure that the update has been processed by the DHA.

3. Submitting an Appeal

If you think your identity verification failed because of an error, you can file an appeal with SASSA:

1. Access the DSD appeal webpage.
2. Read all the terms and conditions pertaining to your matter in all their detail before you submit your appeal.
3. Now press the button that says, ‘Lodge an Appeal of Check Appeal Status.’
4. This will take you to the page where you can check the status of your appeal if you have already applied for it.
5. Commence the appeal process now and include your telephone number in the specified location.
6. An OTP (One-time password) will be sent by SASSA to confirm your identity.
7. Now complete the application form for the appeal and send it in.

4. Get in Touch with SASSA for Help

1. Should problems persist, connect with SASSA’s customer support.
2. SASSA Toll-Free Number to Call: 0800 60 10 11
3. Go to the closest SASSA office to you for help you can get face-to-face.

Final Thoughts

It can be very annoying to have your identity not allow you access to the SASSA SRD grant when you know you are eligible. But if you will take the time to make sure the details you provide are exactly as they should be, you can expect to have the problem resolved in your favor and your application be granted. 

Remember that the personal data they use to “run” you against the grant is pulled straight from the Department of Home Affairs.

If you’ve had an identity verification fail and you know it’s a mistake, your first best option is to do as SASSA directs: Fix the issue, and then appeal the decision they made to verify your identity. If you don’t appeal, there is no path forward to fix the mistake they made against you.