In short: For COVID-19 SRD, start on the official portal. If you need a person, SASSA publishes a call centre, an email address and, on its July 2026 payment poster, a WhatsApp self-service number. Do not use a number from a forwarded message.
This page is only about official COVID-19 SRD channels in South Africa. It is not a list of every SASSA office, and it is not about the Child Support Grant or the separate Social Relief of Distress product.
Use the portal first
SASSA’s COVID-19 SRD page points applications and status checks to srd.sassa.gov.za. The portal landing page says you give information electronically and do not need to upload documents there. Keep the mobile number on the application current, because SASSA says that is how it sends status feedback.
SASSA’s COVID-19 SRD leaflet also says the assistance is accessed only through online application channels. If the portal is down, use the call centre or email below rather than a Facebook or WhatsApp “helper”.
Call centre and email
SASSA’s public site and the SRD portal print the same grant call-centre number, with slightly different spacing:
- 0800 60 10 11 / 0800 601 011
- GrantEnquiries@sassa.gov.za
The portal landing page says to use that number if you need to update a mobile number that is not the one used to apply. SASSA also publishes a Grant Customer Support form that must be typed, not filled by hand, and emailed to the same address.
Head office switchboard, from SASSA’s contact page, is 012 400 2000. That is a Pretoria switchboard, not an SRD status line.
WhatsApp self-service
SASSA’s July 2026 COVID-19 SRD payment poster said it was introducing a WhatsApp self-service channel for COVID-19 SRD beneficiaries, and printed 082 601 0111. It described the service as automated, for key information, without visiting an office or calling the call centre.
Confirm that number on the current official poster or SASSA site before you save it. SASSA also has a public WhatsApp channel for news. That is a broadcast feed, not a private case handler.
If the month was declined
The SRD portal says you may appeal a declined month to the Department of Social Development. The DSD appeals page lists 012 312 7727 and grantappeals@dsd.gov.za. That route is for a rejection, not for an approved-but-unpaid result.
What not to use
Do not treat regional office numbers as extra toll-free SRD lines. Those numbers sit on SASSA’s contact page as office switchboards. Do not pay anyone who offers to lodge, unlock or speed up an application. Do not send an OTP, PIN or copy of your ID to a number that contacted you first.
If the portal status is approved but not paid, SASSA’s COVID-19 SRD leaflet does not tell you to phone a regional office first. It says request a verification link and complete facial recognition. This page is only about how to reach SASSA. The status steps are on SASSA Approved but No Pay Date.
Frequently asked questions
What is the official SRD website?
SASSA points COVID-19 SRD applications and status to https://srd.sassa.gov.za/.
What number should I call?
SASSA publishes 0800 60 10 11. The SRD portal writes the same number as 0800 601 011.
Is there an official WhatsApp number?
The July 2026 COVID-19 SRD poster listed 082 601 0111 for automated self-service. Confirm it on the current official poster or site.
Can I email SASSA?
Yes. SASSA publishes GrantEnquiries@sassa.gov.za and a typed customer-support form for that address.
Sources
- SASSA COVID-19 SRD portal, accessed 17 August 2026. srd.sassa.gov.za
- SASSA, COVID-19 SRD grant page, accessed 17 August 2026. https://sassa.gov.za/social-grants/srd
- SASSA, COVID-19 SRD leaflet, accessed 17 August 2026. COVID-19 SRD leaflet (PDF)
- SASSA, COVID-19 SRD payment dates poster, July 2026. July 2026 payment poster
- SASSA, Grant Customer Support Request, accessed 17 August 2026. Customer support form
- SASSA head office and regional contacts, accessed 17 August 2026. Contact page
- Department of Social Development, COVID-19 SRD appeals, accessed 17 August 2026. Appeals page
This is general information about official COVID-19 SRD channels. Numbers and forms can change. Check the current SASSA page before you call or write.