If your SASSA status shows “Means Test Failed,” it means SASSA has determined that you do not qualify for the SRD grant based on your income or financial activity. The income threshold is R624 per month. If your bank account receives more than R624 in total deposits per month, you will fail the means test. However, you can appeal this decision if the deposits were not regular income.
What Does SASSA Means Test Failed Mean?
The SASSA means test failed status means that SASSA reviewed your financial information and concluded that you earn or receive more money than the qualifying limit. The SRD grant of R370 per month is designed for people with little or no income. To qualify, your total monthly income must be below R624.
SASSA checks your financial activity by looking at bank account records, government databases, and other data sources. If they find deposits that exceed the threshold, your application is declined with the reason “Means Test Failed.” This status is sometimes also shown as “Alternative Income Source Identified.”
This is a formal decline, not a technical error. It means SASSA made a decision about your application based on the financial information they found. However, it is important to know that this decision can be challenged through the appeals process if the deposits were not actual income. For an overview of all decline reasons, see our SASSA declined reasons page.
Why Is Your SASSA Status Showing Means Test Failed?
SASSA uses bank records and other financial data to check whether you meet the income requirement. Here are the most common reasons why the means test fails.
- Bank deposits exceed R624 per month. If the total amount deposited into your bank account in any given month is more than R624 (excluding the SRD grant itself), SASSA will flag you as having income above the threshold. This is the primary trigger.
- Once-off deposits counted as income. SASSA’s system does not always distinguish between regular income and once-off deposits. Birthday money from a family member, borrowed money being returned to you, or a once-off gift can all push your total deposits over R624 and trigger a failure.
- Money from other people passing through your account. If someone sends you money to buy something on their behalf, or if you receive and forward payments for others, these deposits count toward your total even though they are not your income.
- Savings or transfers between your own accounts. Moving money between your own bank accounts creates deposits that SASSA may count. Even transferring from a savings pocket to your main account can trigger the means test.
- Informal work or casual earnings. If you do piece jobs or casual work and receive payments into your bank account, these deposits are included in the means test calculation.
- SARS PAYE or UIF records. If SASSA’s cross-check with SARS shows you as a PAYE taxpayer, or if UIF records show recent contributions, you may fail the means test automatically.
For a detailed breakdown of the income threshold and how it is calculated, visit our SASSA SRD income threshold page.
What to Expect After Means Test Failed
Once your status shows “Means Test Failed,” your SRD grant for that month will not be paid. This is a decline, and SASSA will not process a payment for any month where the means test was not passed.
However, the means test is applied on a monthly basis. Failing one month does not permanently disqualify you. If your income drops below R624 per month in future months, you may qualify again. Your application remains in the system and will be reassessed each month.
If you believe the decline was based on incorrect information, you have 30 days from the date of the decline notification to file an appeal. The appeals process takes between 60 and 90 days for a decision. During this time, your application status will show that an appeal is in progress.
What Should You Do If Your Status Says Means Test Failed?
If you believe the decline is unfair or based on deposits that were not regular income, follow these steps.
- Gather your bank statements. Download or request your bank statements for the months in question. Highlight any deposits that were not income, such as gifts, loans being repaid, or money transferred between your own accounts.
- Write an explanation. Prepare a clear, simple explanation of each deposit that pushed you over the R624 threshold. Explain what the money was for and why it should not be counted as income.
- File an appeal online. Go to the SASSA appeal portal at https://srd.sassa.gov.za/appeals/appeal. Enter your ID number and follow the steps to submit your appeal. Attach your bank statements and explanation.
- File within 30 days. You must submit your appeal within 30 days of receiving the decline notification. If you miss this deadline, you may lose the right to appeal for that month.
- Consider contacting ITSAA. If your appeal through the portal is unsuccessful, you can escalate to the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals (ITSAA). Contact them at:
- Phone: 012 312 7727
- Email: [email protected]
- Keep checking your status. After filing your appeal, check your status regularly. The appeal outcome takes 60 to 90 days. You can check at srd.sassa.gov.za or use WhatsApp, USSD, or the Moya App.
For a complete, step-by-step walkthrough of the appeal process, read our how to appeal a SASSA decline guide. You can also visit our full SASSA appeal guide for additional details.
How to Check Your SASSA Status
You can check your SRD grant status for free using any of these methods. Always have your 13-digit ID number ready.
- Online: Visit https://srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/status
- WhatsApp: Send “Status” to 082 046 8553
- USSD: Dial *120*69277# on any network, *134*7737# on MTN, or *120*3210# as an alternative
- SMS: Send “STATUS” and your ID number to 32555
- Moya App: Data-free app on Android and iOS
For step-by-step instructions on each method, visit our how to check your SASSA status page. For a full overview, see the SASSA status check hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income limit for the SASSA SRD grant?
The income threshold for the SRD grant means test is R624 per month. If your bank account receives total deposits of more than R624 in a month (excluding the SRD grant payment itself), you will fail the means test and be declined for that month.
Can birthday money or a gift cause me to fail the means test?
Yes. SASSA’s system counts all deposits into your bank account, regardless of the source. A birthday gift, loan repayment, or any other once-off deposit that pushes your total above R624 can trigger a “Means Test Failed” result. You can appeal this by providing bank statements and explaining the source of the funds.
How do I appeal a Means Test Failed decision?
Submit your appeal at srd.sassa.gov.za/appeals/appeal within 30 days of the decline. Include your bank statements and a written explanation of any deposits that were not regular income. The appeal takes 60 to 90 days for a decision. Read our appeal guide for full instructions.
Will I be permanently disqualified if I fail the means test once?
No. The means test is applied each month. Failing in one month does not disqualify you forever. If your income drops below R624 in the following month, you may qualify again. Your application is reassessed monthly.
Is “Means Test Failed” the same as “Alternative Income Source Identified”?
Yes, these two statuses mean essentially the same thing. Both indicate that SASSA found financial activity suggesting your income exceeds the R624 threshold. The appeal process is the same for both. Visit our SASSA status meanings hub to learn about all status messages.