<h3 class="" data-start="113" data-end="153"><strong data-start="117" data-end="153">How Do I Claim Uncollected R350?</h3>
<p class="" data-start="155" data-end="612">The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) introduced the <strong data-start="219" data-end="265">R350 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant to assist unemployed individuals and those affected by economic hardship, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. For many South Africans, this grant has provided essential financial support. However, not everyone collects their approved payments on time, and months later, they find themselves wondering: <em data-start="573" data-end="612">&ldquo;How do I claim my uncollected R350?&rdquo;

<p class="" data-start="614" data-end="813">Whether you missed your payment date, changed contact details, or never got a notification, this article will guide you through everything you need to know about claiming uncollected R350 grants.

<hr class="" data-start="815" data-end="818" />
<h3 class="" data-start="820" data-end="871"><strong data-start="824" data-end="871">Understanding What &ldquo;Uncollected R350&rdquo; Means</h3>
<p class="" data-start="873" data-end="1019">Uncollected R350 refers to <strong data-start="900" data-end="921">approved payments that were never physically or electronically received by the applicant. This could happen due to:

<ul data-start="1021" data-end="1228">
<li class="" data-start="1021" data-end="1061">
<p class="" data-start="1023" data-end="1061">Not receiving the SMS or notification.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="1062" data-end="1106">
<p class="" data-start="1064" data-end="1106">Incorrect banking or mobile money details.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="1107" data-end="1154">
<p class="" data-start="1109" data-end="1154">Missed deadlines at retail collection points.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="1155" data-end="1190">
<p class="" data-start="1157" data-end="1190">Delays in verification processes.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="1191" data-end="1228">
<p class="" data-start="1193" data-end="1228">Lost or changed ID or phone number.

</li>
</ul>
<p class="" data-start="1230" data-end="1443">The good news? If your application was approved and the payment wasn&rsquo;t withdrawn or claimed, you still <strong data-start="1333" data-end="1362">have the right to collect your money&mdash;unless it has expired after a long grace period (more on that later).

<hr class="" data-start="1445" data-end="1448" />
<h3 class="" data-start="1450" data-end="1506"><strong data-start="1454" data-end="1506">Step-by-Step: How to Claim Your Uncollected R350</h3>
<h4 class="" data-start="1508" data-end="1566"><strong data-start="1513" data-end="1566">Step 1: Check Your Application and Payment Status</h4>
<p class="" data-start="1568" data-end="1644">Before doing anything, confirm your application status. You&rsquo;ll need to know:

<ul data-start="1646" data-end="1810">
<li class="" data-start="1646" data-end="1691">
<p class="" data-start="1648" data-end="1691">Whether your R350 application was approved.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="1692" data-end="1732">
<p class="" data-start="1694" data-end="1732">Which months were approved and unpaid.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="1733" data-end="1810">
<p class="" data-start="1735" data-end="1810">Which payment method was selected (bank transfer, cash send, retail store).

</li>
</ul>
<p class="" data-start="1812" data-end="1912">You can check this by logging into the SASSA SRD portal or contacting SASSA directly. Be ready with:

<ul data-start="1914" data-end="1994">
<li class="" data-start="1914" data-end="1945">
<p class="" data-start="1916" data-end="1945">Your South African ID number.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="1946" data-end="1994">
<p class="" data-start="1948" data-end="1994">The cellphone number used in your application.

</li>
</ul>
<p class="" data-start="1996" data-end="2164">Status results will show each month&rsquo;s outcome&mdash;Approved, Declined, or Pending. If a month says &ldquo;Approved&rdquo; but there&rsquo;s no payment collected, it counts as <strong data-start="2148" data-end="2163">uncollected.

<hr class="" data-start="2166" data-end="2169" />
<h4 class="" data-start="2171" data-end="2225"><strong data-start="2176" data-end="2225">Step 2: Confirm or Update Your Payment Method</h4>
<p class="" data-start="2227" data-end="2396">Sometimes, people fail to receive their R350 because their <strong data-start="2286" data-end="2316">banking details were wrong or not updated. If that&rsquo;s the case, you need to update your payment preference.

<p class="" data-start="2398" data-end="2409">Here&rsquo;s how:

<ul data-start="2411" data-end="2655">
<li class="" data-start="2411" data-end="2470">
<p class="" data-start="2413" data-end="2470">Log into your profile using your ID and cellphone number.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="2471" data-end="2519">
<p class="" data-start="2473" data-end="2519">Go to the <strong data-start="2483" data-end="2510">"Change Payment Method" section.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="2520" data-end="2571">
<p class="" data-start="2522" data-end="2571">Choose between <strong data-start="2537" data-end="2553">bank account or <strong data-start="2557" data-end="2570">cash send.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="2572" data-end="2619">
<p class="" data-start="2574" data-end="2619">Make sure your banking details match your ID.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="2620" data-end="2655">
<p class="" data-start="2622" data-end="2655">Submit and wait for confirmation.

</li>
</ul>
<p class="" data-start="2657" data-end="2798">After changing details, it might take <strong data-start="2695" data-end="2709">a few days to reflect, but once updated, your old uncollected funds can be reprocessed for payment.

<hr class="" data-start="2800" data-end="2803" />
<h4 class="" data-start="2805" data-end="2867"><strong data-start="2810" data-end="2867">Step 3: Collect From a Retail Partner (If Applicable)</h4>
<p class="" data-start="2869" data-end="3037">If you selected to collect your R350 at a <strong data-start="2911" data-end="2928">retail outlet such as Shoprite, Pick n Pay, Boxer, or USave, you can still do so&mdash;<strong data-start="2996" data-end="3036">as long as the funds haven&rsquo;t expired.

<p class="" data-start="3039" data-end="3063">Here&rsquo;s what you&rsquo;ll need:

<ul data-start="3065" data-end="3209">
<li class="" data-start="3065" data-end="3089">
<p class="" data-start="3067" data-end="3089">Your South African ID.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="3090" data-end="3138">
<p class="" data-start="3092" data-end="3138">The cellphone number used in your application.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="3139" data-end="3209">
<p class="" data-start="3141" data-end="3209">An SMS confirmation with a <strong data-start="3168" data-end="3189">payment reference or withdrawal code.

</li>
</ul>
<p class="" data-start="3211" data-end="3253">If you never received the SMS, you should:

<ul data-start="3255" data-end="3407">
<li class="" data-start="3255" data-end="3303">
<p class="" data-start="3257" data-end="3303">Visit the SASSA office or call their helpdesk.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="3304" data-end="3349">
<p class="" data-start="3306" data-end="3349">Request the payment reference to be resent.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="3350" data-end="3407">
<p class="" data-start="3352" data-end="3407">Confirm your identity and contact details for security.

</li>
</ul>
<p class="" data-start="3409" data-end="3544">Once you have the reference code, you can walk into your designated retail store, present your ID and code, and receive your R350 cash.

<hr class="" data-start="3546" data-end="3549" />
<h4 class="" data-start="3551" data-end="3612"><strong data-start="3556" data-end="3612">Step 4: Use Post Office or Post Bank (If Applicable)</h4>
<p class="" data-start="3614" data-end="3798">Previously, many collected their grants at the <strong data-start="3661" data-end="3697">South African Post Office (SAPO). However, due to long queues and system changes, <strong data-start="3747" data-end="3777">this method was phased out for most applicants.

<p class="" data-start="3800" data-end="3970">If your uncollected grant was meant for collection via SAPO, you may need to switch to <strong data-start="3887" data-end="3905">a bank account or <strong data-start="3909" data-end="3929">cash send option now. Visit SASSA to reroute the payment.

<p class="" data-start="3972" data-end="3985">Keep in mind:

<ul data-start="3987" data-end="4160">
<li class="" data-start="3987" data-end="4045">
<p class="" data-start="3989" data-end="4045">Old Post Office collection dates may no longer be valid.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="4046" data-end="4083">
<p class="" data-start="4048" data-end="4083">SAPO no longer pays new SRD grants.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="4084" data-end="4160">
<p class="" data-start="4086" data-end="4160">You can reclaim old funds <strong data-start="4112" data-end="4159">only after switching your collection method.

</li>
</ul>
<hr class="" data-start="4162" data-end="4165" />
<h4 class="" data-start="4167" data-end="4226"><strong data-start="4172" data-end="4226">Step 5: Collect via Cash Send (If No Bank Account)</h4>
<p class="" data-start="4228" data-end="4358">If you don&rsquo;t have a bank account, SASSA allows <strong data-start="4275" data-end="4297">cash send payments through partners like FNB, ABSA, and others. You&rsquo;ll receive:

<ul data-start="4360" data-end="4475">
<li class="" data-start="4360" data-end="4408">
<p class="" data-start="4362" data-end="4408">An SMS with a withdrawal PIN and instructions.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="4409" data-end="4475">
<p class="" data-start="4411" data-end="4475">The ability to withdraw cash from participating ATMs or outlets.

</li>
</ul>
<p class="" data-start="4477" data-end="4603">Make sure your cellphone number is RICA-registered in your name. Without this, you won&rsquo;t be able to receive a withdrawal code.

<hr class="" data-start="4605" data-end="4608" />
<h4 class="" data-start="4610" data-end="4655"><strong data-start="4615" data-end="4655">Step 6: Contact SASSA for Assistance</h4>
<p class="" data-start="4657" data-end="4807">If you're struggling to get clear answers, or your R350 has been sitting uncollected for months with no payment code sent, <strong data-start="4780" data-end="4806">contact SASSA directly.

<p class="" data-start="4809" data-end="4831">Prepare these details:

<ul data-start="4833" data-end="4934">
<li class="" data-start="4833" data-end="4850">
<p class="" data-start="4835" data-end="4850">Your ID number.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="4851" data-end="4903">
<p class="" data-start="4853" data-end="4903">Cellphone number used in the original application.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="4904" data-end="4934">
<p class="" data-start="4906" data-end="4934">Specific months in question.

</li>
</ul>
<p class="" data-start="4936" data-end="4944">You can:

<ul data-start="4946" data-end="5060">
<li class="" data-start="4946" data-end="4975">
<p class="" data-start="4948" data-end="4975">Visit a local SASSA office.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="4976" data-end="5006">
<p class="" data-start="4978" data-end="5006">Call the toll-free helpdesk.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="5007" data-end="5060">
<p class="" data-start="5009" data-end="5060">Ask for a payment reissue or reference code resend.

</li>
</ul>
<hr class="" data-start="5062" data-end="5065" />
<h3 class="" data-start="5067" data-end="5116"><strong data-start="5071" data-end="5116">How Long Do You Have to Collect the R350?</h3>
<p class="" data-start="5118" data-end="5183">This is important: <strong data-start="5137" data-end="5182">Uncollected SRD grants don&rsquo;t last forever.

<p class="" data-start="5185" data-end="5344">SASSA sets <strong data-start="5196" data-end="5220">expiration timelines for unclaimed funds&mdash;usually up to <strong data-start="5255" data-end="5267">3 months. After this period, the funds may be forfeited and returned to the treasury.

<p class="" data-start="5346" data-end="5482">If you&rsquo;ve gone beyond that time frame, you may <strong data-start="5393" data-end="5430">lose access to that month&rsquo;s grant, even if it was approved. That&rsquo;s why it&rsquo;s vital to:

<ul data-start="5484" data-end="5596">
<li class="" data-start="5484" data-end="5522">
<p class="" data-start="5486" data-end="5522">Check your payment status regularly.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="5523" data-end="5557">
<p class="" data-start="5525" data-end="5557">Respond quickly to SMS messages.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="5558" data-end="5596">
<p class="" data-start="5560" data-end="5596">Collect each month&rsquo;s grant promptly.

</li>
</ul>
<p class="" data-start="5598" data-end="5667">If you suspect that your grant has expired, contact SASSA to confirm.

<hr class="" data-start="5669" data-end="5672" />
<h3 class="" data-start="5674" data-end="5726"><strong data-start="5678" data-end="5726">Common Reasons for Uncollected R350 Payments</h3>
<p class="" data-start="5728" data-end="5835">Understanding why people miss their payments helps prevent future issues. Here are the most common reasons:

<ul data-start="5837" data-end="6074">
<li class="" data-start="5837" data-end="5889">
<p class="" data-start="5839" data-end="5889">Not receiving the SMS or deleting it accidentally.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="5890" data-end="5935">
<p class="" data-start="5892" data-end="5935">Banking details mismatch or incorrect info.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="5936" data-end="5969">
<p class="" data-start="5938" data-end="5969">ID or SIM card lost or changed.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="5970" data-end="6034">
<p class="" data-start="5972" data-end="6034">Application under a different name or incorrect personal info.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="6035" data-end="6074">
<p class="" data-start="6037" data-end="6074">Forgetting to check monthly statuses.

</li>
</ul>
<p class="" data-start="6076" data-end="6169">If you fix these issues and stay proactive, you&rsquo;ll reduce the risk of missing payments again.

<hr class="" data-start="6171" data-end="6174" />
<h3 class="" data-start="6176" data-end="6221"><strong data-start="6180" data-end="6221">Tips to Avoid Missing Future Payments</h3>
<ol data-start="6223" data-end="6474">
<li class="" data-start="6223" data-end="6279">
<p class="" data-start="6226" data-end="6279"><strong data-start="6226" data-end="6279">Keep Your Cellphone Number Active and Registered.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="6280" data-end="6333">
<p class="" data-start="6283" data-end="6333"><strong data-start="6283" data-end="6333">Update Banking Details As Soon As They Change.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="6334" data-end="6372">
<p class="" data-start="6337" data-end="6372"><strong data-start="6337" data-end="6372">Log In Monthly to Check Status.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="6373" data-end="6422">
<p class="" data-start="6376" data-end="6422"><strong data-start="6376" data-end="6422">Respond Promptly to Payment Notifications.

</li>
<li class="" data-start="6423" data-end="6474">
<p class="" data-start="6426" data-end="6474"><strong data-start="6426" data-end="6474">Use a Bank Account for Faster, Safer Access.

</li>
</ol>
<hr class="" data-start="6476" data-end="6479" />
<h3 class="" data-start="6481" data-end="6499">Final Thoughts</h3>
<p class="" data-start="6501" data-end="6775">Uncollected R350 grants don&rsquo;t have to go to waste. With the right steps and persistence, you can still claim what&rsquo;s rightfully yours. Whether you need to update your bank details, change your payment method, or request a missed withdrawal code, the solution is within reach.



<p class="" data-start="6777" data-end="6885">Don&rsquo;t let delays or confusion stand between you and your grant. Take action today&mdash;because every R350 counts.