R370 Approved With Pay Dates but “Unable to Redeem”? Here’s What You Should Do

If you’re still among the thousands of South Africans dependent to the South Relief of Disaster GRD at only R370, the fact that your application status states that it is “approved with a payment date” may create a moment of hope for you, but your hopes are crushed the moment you go to the ATM for the cash to learn the phrase “unable to redeem,” “transaction declined” or the “no funds available” message

In addition to system delays, this problem is more common than many people think, and it sometimes has to do with banking problems.

This article will guide you on the reason for it, what to do and how to make sure R370 has been received successfully.

1.Know What “Approved With Pay Date” Means

It is important to explain what this status means before we discuss the challenges:

The payout is approved by the South Africa Social Security (SASSA) for the eligible of the benefit on that particular month.

SASSA Pay Date is Officially signed for in the month, the bank account is opened “Approved With Pay Date” Meaning – SASSA

Ideally, you should either access your money on the payday or any time thereafter. However, the smooth running of the system cannot always be guaranteed and this is the reason why many people keep receiving “withdrawal error messages”.

2. What do you see “Unable to Redeem” for upon Withdrawing?

These are the most common reasons for this;

A) Payment has not yet been passed through the Banking or SASSA Cash System.

Despite a payday being presented by SASSA, it may

take 24 – 72 hours for money to be reflected on your

card given that

• Funds taking time to be

enough before money transfer,

• SASSA cash send systems move on.

This is the leading cause of “unable to redeem.”

B) Picking the Wrong Withdrawal Option

It is possible that you switched from a bank account to cash and vice versa without the knowledge of SASSA and consequently, your grant could be stuck in the wrong payment channel.

For instance:

You will have bank account in your status, but you will try to withdraw from Shoprite or Boxer;→ Transaction will fail.

You will have cash send in your status, but you will check your bank balance;→ Nothing will reflect.

C) SASSA System Down or Retailer Network

Retailers that experience:

Network glitches

Offline SASSA terminals

Delayed communication with SASSA servers

I.e.’, the cashier will say:

“Unable to Redeem”

“Declined”

“No funds Found”

“Try buying at another time or another shop”

D) Your Bank Account Not Verified In Full

Where your bank details:

inactive,

blocked,

on hold,

or do not match with its IDs,

SASSA you grant, but payment will fail, and the date of payment will be seen in the system while the money is stuck there.

Other times, SASSA may try to pay but it is rejected at the receiving channel. This leaves the system unsure whether to display:

“Approved”

“Payment Failed”

“Reversal Pending”

During this period, any attempt at withdrawal is futile.

3. Steps to take if  you are to Redeem Your R370

Below are the steps to assist you in resolving the issue in the shortest time period.

Step 1: Wait 24–72 Hours After Your Pay Date.

Most failed withdrawals resolve on their own within 1–3 days. SASSA payments often delay because of:

• high transaction volumes

• banking delays

• weekend or public holiday processing

If your pay date is today, wait until:

• the next day,

• or up to 72 hours,

and try again.

Step 2: Confirm Your Payment Method on SASSA Website

Is your payment method correct at SASSA SRD portal?

If it says “Bank Account”, don’t withdraw at Shoprite or Boxer.

If it says “Cash Send”, don’t expect money in your account.

If method is wrong, correct it and wait SASSA to confirm it back. The latter will take 7–14 working days in most cases.

Step 3: Attempt Another Shop or ATM

For Cash Send (Pick n Pay, Boxer, Checkers, Shoprite) use another outlet.

If you have a bank card, please:

Try other ATM

Use in bank, not outside ATMs

Make sure your bank is not on downtime

For several hours, the retail and ATM networks can blackout.

Step 4: Confirm Your Bank Account Is Active

Check:

The account is open.

It hasn’t been frozen.

You aren’t overdrawn.

The account corresponds to your ID number.

SASSA doesn’t deposit into accounts that are:

in arrears.

under investigation for fraud.

not associated with the ID you registered with for SASSA

If you are unsure, ask the bank and verify the account is ‘fully active and able to receive SASSA deposits.’

Step 5: Contact the SASSA Call Centre

Call 0800 60 10 11 and request a ‘payment reversal or pay-point enquiry.’

Tell the call-taker;

‘My R370 grant is approved with a pay date, but I cannot redeem it. It just keeps saying (unable to redeem). Please will you check if the payment failed or if it is stuck?’

They will check:

if the money was sent

if they have bounced the money back

if there is something wrong with the payment method

Step 6: Go to Your Local SASSA Office (If the Problem Persists)

Bring:

Your identification document

Your phone number

A letter of bank confirmation (if you use a bank)

Ask them to:

trace the payment,

look into the delays, or

request the grant to be re-issued.

They can also instantly rectify mismatched banking details.

Step 7: Request a Re-Issue (If the Funds are Stuck)

If the funds are on hold in the system due to timing of an unsuccessful attempt, request the SASSA office to re-issue the payment.

It takes 5-10 working days for the payment to be processed to you successfully.

4. How to Avoid this Problem in The Future

To help prevent future, “Unable to Redeem” problems:

✔ Use your own personal bank account that is in your name, and matches the ID you provided

Not parent’s accounts, not spouse’s accounts.

✔ Do not change your payment method too often

This can confuse the system.

✔ Have your bank account active

Don’t freeze or close it.

✔ Always consider with withdrawing after the day you would be getting your payment.

Dells work preferable 24-48 hours afterward.

✔ Withdraw in the most off-peak times

The morning or late afternoon.

5. Should You Switch Your Payment from Cash Send to a Bank Account?

Yes, if so, you will have a more reliable account.
The retail Cash Send would have all more problems with delays, items freezing or timing-out, and withdrawals not completing at all.

HOW TO QUALIFY AND APPLY FOR THE R370 SASSA GRANT

An R370 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant is a temporary income or support grant for adults in South Africa who are unable to meet their basic needs. A grant of this nature was set up specifically for persons with little to no income, and therefore you must meet requirements in order for SASSA to approve your application.

Guide on how to qualify and submit an application 

1. Who qualifies for the R370 SRD Grant?

You may be eligible  for R370 SRD grant if:

-You are legally residing in South Africa
This includes:

Only South African citizens
Unemployed
Refugees
Persons with special permits

– You are aged between 18-59
The SRD grant is intended for individuals of working age who do not qualify for an old age grant.

-You have little or no income
SASSA verifies income activity through bank verification. If you receive regular deposits or have an income that exceeds the threshold, your application may be rejected.

✔ You are not receiving any other social grant

Grants such as child support, disability, old age, or foster care grants cannot be received at the same time as the SRD grant.

✔ You are not receiving UIF or NSFAS

You cannot receive the SRD grant if you are:

Receiving Unemployment Insurance Fund payments

Receiving funding from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme

✔ You are not in care at a state institution

If you are looked after solely at a state-funded facility (i.e. correctional services, a state-run home, etc.), you will not qualify.

✔ You agree to SASSA verify your information

We will have to check your ID, income, bank activity, and whether you are employed or not (if applicable) before we approve your application.

2. Minimum requirements to apply

Must the following:

Your SA ID number or relevant permit number

Your cellphone number that is registered in your name

Your physical address and contact details

Your banking details (if you’d like to receive your money into your account):

Account number

Bank name

Type of Account

You do not need to go to an office to apply. You can complete the application process online.

3. Tips on how to apply for the R370 Grant 

For early and successful application follow these steps

Step 1: Go to the official SRD application website

You will need to go to the website srd.sassa.gov.za either on your cell phone or computer.

Step 2: Provide your verified Phone number that you will be able to receive your One-Time PIN (OTP) via text message.

Step 3:  Confirmation of Your Mobile Phone Number

You will be then asked to enter the OTP in order to confirm that the cell phone number belongs to you.

It is very important to use the correct number, as any updates from SASSA regarding your application status or payment to you will be sent to that number as a text message.

They may also require that number for further verification in the future.

Step 4: Agree to Personal Checks

You must agree to SASSA’s stipulated conditions which allows SASSA to:

Confirm your identity

Access income and bank account information

Confirm if you receive Weather UIF or NSFAS allowances or any other grants.

You have to agree to this process, if not your application will not progress.

Step 5: Complete Your Personal Details

You will be asked to provide:

Full names

ID number

Gender

Home address

Province and municipality

Contact details

Please be careful to complete all your personal details correctly. It’s necessary to avoid delay for your application grant.

Step 6: Choose a Payment Method

You have two payment options:

a) Bank Account Payment

You will receive the grant directly into your bank account if you provide:

Bank name

Account number

Branch code

Account type

This method is typically the best and quickest method.

b) Cash Send/Retail Pick Up

You may choose the cash send method and the ability to pick up your funds after you are approved at participating retailers.

Each month, if you have been approved, you will receive a message confirming you of your payment.

Step 7: Submit Your Application

After you have verified and reviewed your information, click “Submit”.

You should receive confirmation that your application was submitted.

4. Since you have done applying- What’s the Next Step?

SASSA will do monthly checks to verify your eligibility. These include.

Verification of ID

Income and banking

UIF or NSFAS status

Social grants history

Your application status will indicate:

Pending

Approved

Declined

Once approved, a pay date will be displayed once funds are available.

5. How to Check Your Application Status

You may track your status whenever you would like by going to the SRD website and entering:

Your ID Number

Your cell phone number

This will provide you with information on:

Approval status

Decline reason

Pay Dates

Month to month findings

6. If your Application is Refused?

Should SASSA deny your application, here are the options you have:

✔ Make an appeal

You can appeal within the time frame provided on the SRD website.

✔ Fix any incorrect information

✔ Re-apply as your situation changes

If your situation improves or worsens, you can also change your status and re-apply when you have the chance.

7. Useful tips on making a successful application

Apply using your bank account — payments will not be made to other people’s accounts.

Ensure that your cell phone number remains active.

Ensure that your ID and contact information matches the official info you provided.

Do not apply multiple times under various account numbers, as this will create a verification problem.

Check your status frequently so you do not miss any updates. Recommendations

The R370 SASSA SRD Grant is a provision for persons who are experiencing financial uncertainty. If you meet the criteria, and you followed the process to apply, you should have no issues in applying. The information you provide must be accurate, your information must be maintained, and you should check your application status regularly.

Preferably you would use a bank that has a fast points of sale, point systems like:

Capitec

Standard Bank

FNB

Nedbank

ABSA

These banks process SASSA payments faster compared to smaller banks.

Final Thoughts

Realizing that your R370 grant has been approved with a pay date and still getting “Unable to Redeem” while trying to withdraw is such a damn frustrating scenario, primarily when the money is needed on an urgent basis. Interestingly, this can, in most cases, be due to a temporary glitch and resolves itself on its own in a few days.

If the issue persists, checking things including payment methods, bank verification, trying different withdrawal points, or contacting the SASSA will almost always do the trick.