If you expected a SASSA payment date SMS but did not receive one, the problem is usually an outdated phone number, a network delay, or a phone storage issue. This guide covers the six main reasons you did not get your SMS and gives you alternative ways to find your R370 SRD grant payment date right now.
Why You Did Not Receive Your SASSA Payment Date SMS
SASSA sends SMS notifications to inform beneficiaries about their individual payment dates. These messages are an important part of the grant process because they tell you exactly when and where to collect or expect your R370 payment. When you do not receive this SMS, it can be due to one of these six reasons:
- Outdated phone number on file — This is the most common reason. If the phone number linked to your SASSA account is old, incorrect, or belongs to someone else, the SMS will be sent to that number instead of your current one. You may have changed your SIM card or phone number since applying and forgotten to update it on the SRD portal. If this sounds like your situation, read the wrong phone number on SASSA guide for help.
- SMS sent in batches — yours may be delayed — Just like payments, SASSA sends SMS notifications in batches. Not everyone receives their SMS on the same day. Your message may be in a later batch and could arrive within the next 24 to 48 hours. This is especially common during the last week of the month when millions of messages are being sent.
- Network or carrier issues — Your mobile network may be experiencing delays in delivering SMS messages. This happens occasionally with all South African networks, especially during peak periods. Network congestion, tower maintenance, or routing issues can all cause SMS delays that are outside SASSA’s control.
- Identity verification not yet complete — If you have not completed the identity verification process, SASSA may not send you a payment date SMS because your payment has not been scheduled yet. Since May 2025, SASSA requires stricter identity verification. If you received a verification link and did not complete it within 72 hours, your payment — and the associated SMS — may be on hold.
- Phone storage is full — If your phone’s message inbox or internal storage is full, it cannot receive new SMS messages. This is a surprisingly common problem, especially on older phones with limited storage. Your phone may silently reject incoming messages without showing any error.
- You accidentally blocked SASSA SMS — Some phones have spam filters or block lists that may have caught the SASSA SMS. If you use a call-blocking app or have strict SMS filters enabled, the SASSA message may have been blocked or sent to a spam folder without you knowing.
How to Fix SASSA Payment Date SMS Not Received — Step by Step
Follow these steps to resolve the issue and find your payment date:
- Check your status online instead — You do not need to wait for an SMS. Visit https://srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/status and check your payment date directly. This is the quickest way to find out when your payment is scheduled. For a full guide on using the status check, visit the SASSA status check page.
- Verify your phone number on the SRD portal — Log in to https://srd.sassa.gov.za/ and check which phone number is linked to your account. If it is incorrect, update it immediately. For detailed instructions on changing your number, read the how to change SASSA phone number guide.
- Check your phone’s blocked numbers and spam filter — Go to your phone’s settings, then to “Blocked numbers” or “Spam filter.” Look for any SASSA-related numbers that may have been blocked. Also check your messaging app’s spam or junk folder — some apps automatically filter messages they consider spam.
- Free up phone storage — Delete old messages, photos, and apps you no longer use. On Android, go to Settings, then Storage, to see how much space is available. On iPhones, go to Settings, then General, then iPhone Storage. Make sure you have at least 100MB of free space to receive new messages.
- Try alternative status check methods — Use WhatsApp (send a message to 082 046 8553), USSD (dial *120*69277#), or the Moya app to check your payment date. These methods give you the same information as the SMS. For all available methods, visit the how to check SASSA status page.
- Wait 24 to 48 hours — If your status shows “approved” and a payment date has been assigned, the SMS may simply be delayed. Give it a day or two before assuming there is a problem.
Alternative Ways to Find Your SASSA Payment Date
You do not need to rely only on SMS to know your payment date. SASSA provides several other ways to get this information:
Online status check: Visit https://srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/status and enter your ID number and phone number. Your payment date will be displayed if it has been assigned.
WhatsApp: Send a message to 082 046 8553 and type “Status.” Follow the prompts to check your payment date. This is free and does not require mobile data if you are on a zero-rated WhatsApp plan.
USSD: Dial *120*69277# from any network. You can also use *134*7737# on MTN or *120*3210# as an alternative. No internet connection is needed.
Moya App: Download the Moya app (data-free) on Android or iOS. Navigate to the SASSA section and check your payment information.
SMS: Send “STATUS” followed by your ID number to 32555. You will receive a reply with your current status and payment details. Standard SMS rates may apply.
For the general payment schedule, check the SASSA payment dates page which is updated monthly with the latest dates.
What If You Still Cannot Find Your Payment Date?
If none of the methods above show a payment date, the issue may be with your account rather than with SMS delivery. Here is what to do:
Contact the SASSA helpline at 0800 60 10 11 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm). Explain that you have not received a payment date SMS and that no date appears when you check online. Ask the agent to look up your account and provide your payment date directly.
Visit your nearest SASSA office with your ID document. An agent can access your account and tell you your payment date, or identify any issues preventing a date from being assigned.
Check if your status is actually approved. If your status is still “pending” or has been “declined,” no payment date will be assigned. Review your status carefully and refer to the appropriate guide — pending status meaning or approved but no payment.
For additional help with any SASSA issue, visit the SASSA troubleshooting hub or the SASSA contact information page.
How to Prevent Missing SASSA SMS in the Future
Take these simple steps to make sure you receive SASSA SMS notifications going forward:
Keep your phone number updated. Whenever you change your SIM card or phone number, update it on the SRD portal immediately. Do not wait until payment time to discover the number is wrong.
Keep your phone storage clear. Regularly delete old messages and unnecessary files. A phone with full storage cannot receive new SMS messages. Set a reminder to clean up your phone once a month.
Do not block unknown numbers. SASSA may send messages from different numbers. Avoid using aggressive call-blocking apps that might filter out legitimate messages. If you must use a blocking app, whitelist SASSA-related numbers.
Save backup checking methods. Keep the WhatsApp number (082 046 8553), USSD code (*120*69277#), and SMS number (32555) saved in your contacts. If an SMS does not arrive, you have immediate alternatives.
Keep your SIM card active. If you have a dedicated SIM for SASSA, use it at least once every 90 days to prevent your network from deactivating it.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does SASSA send payment date SMS messages?
SASSA typically sends payment date SMS notifications a few days before the actual payment date. Since payments are processed in the last week of each month, you can expect the SMS around the middle to end of the month. However, messages are sent in batches, so there may be a delay of 24 to 48 hours.
Can I receive my SASSA payment without getting the SMS?
Yes. The SMS is a notification, not a requirement. If you know your payment date from checking online, via USSD, or through the Moya app, you can collect or access your R370 payment as normal. The SMS is just one of several ways to get the information.
What number does SASSA use to send SMS messages?
SASSA uses various short codes and numbers to send SMS messages. The exact number can vary. Do not rely on recognizing a specific number — instead, look at the content of the message. If you are unsure whether an SMS is genuinely from SASSA, check your status directly at https://srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/status.
I received an SMS but it has a strange link — is it real?
Be very careful with links in SMS messages. Official SASSA links will come from the domain srd.sassa.gov.za. If the link points to any other website, it may be a scam. Never enter your personal details on unfamiliar websites. When in doubt, type the official URL directly into your browser instead of clicking the link.
How do I update my phone number on SASSA if I lost my old SIM?
If you no longer have access to your old phone number, you must visit a SASSA office in person. Bring your South African ID document and your phone with the new SIM card. An agent will verify your identity and update your number on the system. Read the wrong phone number guide for full instructions.