CRITICAL: Your bank account MUST be in YOUR name. SASSA cannot and will not pay grants into bank accounts belonging to other people, even family members. This is a non-negotiable security requirement.

How to Update Your Banking Details Online

1

Visit SASSA SRD Website

Go to the official SASSA SRD portal and look for "Banking Details" or "How do I change my banking details" option.

Open SASSA Portal β†’
2

Enter Your ID Number

Provide your 13-digit South African ID number to identify your application.

3

Receive Secure SMS Link

SASSA will send a unique, secure link to your registered cellphone number. This link is only valid for a limited time.

Security Note: Never share this SMS link with anyone. It's unique to you and your session.
4

Click the SMS Link

Tap the link in the SMS. It will take you to a secure SASSA page where you can update your banking details.

5

Enter New Banking Details

Carefully enter your bank account information:

  • Bank name
  • Account type (Savings, Cheque, Transmission)
  • Account number
  • Branch code (if required by your bank)
6

Verify and Submit

Double-check all details are correct. Once submitted, SASSA will verify your account ownership. This can take 3-5 business days.

Information You'll Need

🏦

Bank Name

The name of your bank (e.g., Capitec, FNB, Standard Bank)

πŸ’³

Account Type

Usually Savings, Cheque, or Transmission. Check your bank card or statement.

πŸ”’

Account Number

Your full bank account number (usually 9-11 digits)

🏒

Branch Code

6-digit branch code (some banks use universal codes)

πŸ“„

Bank Statement

Have a recent bank statement handy to verify all details

πŸͺͺ

ID Document

Your ID to confirm account is in your name

Bank Account Requirements

βœ… Valid Account Types

  • Savings account in your name
  • Cheque/Current account in your name
  • Transmission account in your name
  • Accounts from any major South African bank
  • Digital bank accounts (Capitec, TymeBank, etc.)
  • Post Office Postbank account

❌ Invalid Accounts

  • Accounts in someone else's name
  • Joint accounts (unless in your name)
  • Business/company accounts
  • Closed or dormant accounts
  • Credit card accounts
  • Investment or fixed deposit accounts

Accepted South African Banks

SASSA accepts bank accounts from all major South African banks:

ABSA
African Bank
Capitec Bank
Discovery Bank
First National Bank (FNB)
Investec
Nedbank
Standard Bank
TymeBank
Post Office (PostBank)
Bank Zero

Note: This list includes major banks. If your bank is not listed but is a registered South African bank, it should still be accepted.

Payment Method Options

🏦 Bank Transfer (Recommended)

Advantages:
  • Most secure method
  • No fees for receiving money
  • Money stays safe in your account
  • Can use debit card at any ATM or store
  • Automatic deposit on payment date
Things to Note:
  • Takes 2-3 days to reflect after payment date
  • Account must be in your name
  • Need to have active bank account

πŸ’Έ Cash Send

Advantages:
  • Collect cash at retail stores
  • Usually available immediately
  • No bank account needed
  • Available at Shoprite, Checkers, Pick n Pay, Boxer
Things to Note:
  • Must collect within specified time period
  • Need registered cellphone for voucher
  • Must collect in person with ID
  • Cash is less secure than bank account

To switch to Cash Send, you may need to visit a SASSA office or update through the portal when the option is available.

Common Banking Details Issues

Account Not in My Name

Cause:

The bank account is registered in someone else's name

Solution:

Open a new account in YOUR name. SASSA cannot pay into third-party accounts for security reasons.

Incorrect Account Details

Cause:

Account number, branch code, or account type is wrong

Solution:

Double-check all details against your bank statement. Update with correct information through SASSA portal.

Account Closed or Dormant

Cause:

Bank account is no longer active

Solution:

Open a new account and update SASSA with new details. Ensure the account is active before updating.

Bank Verification Failing

Cause:

SASSA cannot verify account ownership

Solution:

Contact your bank to ensure account is properly registered. May need to visit SASSA office with bank statement.

Banking Details Verification Process

After you update your banking details, SASSA goes through a verification process:

Day 1-2

Submission & Initial Check

Your details are submitted and SASSA performs initial format validation.

Day 3-5

Bank Verification

SASSA verifies with your bank that the account exists and is in your name.

Day 5-7

Final Approval

If verification passes, your status updates to show banking details are approved.

πŸ’‘ Tip: Check your status regularly after updating. If it shows "Bank Details Pending" for more than 10 days, contact SASSA.

How to Get Your Bank Statement

You'll need your bank statement to verify your account details. Here's how to get it:

πŸ“± Mobile Banking App

  1. Open your bank's mobile app
  2. Login to your account
  3. Go to "Statements" or "Account Details"
  4. Download or view your statement
  5. Screenshot or save account details

🏧 ATM

  1. Insert your card at your bank's ATM
  2. Enter your PIN
  3. Select "Print Statement" or "Mini Statement"
  4. Keep the printed slip for your records

🏦 Bank Branch

  1. Visit your nearest bank branch
  2. Bring your ID and bank card
  3. Request a bank statement from teller
  4. May be free or cost small fee

☎️ Call Banking

  1. Call your bank's customer service
  2. Verify your identity
  3. Request account details verbally
  4. Write down all information carefully

Banking Details FAQs

Can I use my spouse's or parent's bank account?

No. SASSA grants can ONLY be paid into a bank account in the beneficiary's name. This is a legal requirement to prevent fraud and ensure you receive your grant safely.

What if I don't have a bank account?

You can choose Cash Send as your payment method. Alternatively, opening a bank account is easy and often free. Banks like Capitec offer free accounts with minimal requirements.

How long does it take to update banking details?

The update is immediate, but verification takes 3-7 business days. If you update before a payment date, ensure it's at least 10 days before to allow time for verification.

Will changing banking details affect my application status?

No, changing banking details does not affect your approval status. If you're approved, you'll still receive paymentβ€”it will just go to your new account once verified.

My banking details verification failed. What should I do?

Double-check that all details are correct and the account is in your name. If still failing, visit a SASSA office with your ID, bank card, and recent bank statement for assistance.

Can I have multiple bank accounts registered?

No, you can only have ONE bank account registered for SASSA payments at a time. If you update to a new account, the old one is automatically removed.

⚠️ Banking Security Warning

SASSA Will NEVER:

  • Ask you to deposit money into an account
  • Request your banking PIN or password
  • Ask you to pay to update your banking details
  • Send links asking for your full banking details via SMS
  • Request your card CVV or OTP codes
If anyone claiming to be from SASSA asks for the above, it's a SCAM!

Report it immediately to SASSA fraud hotline: 0800 60 10 11

Protect Yourself:

  • Only update banking details through official SASSA website
  • Never share your banking PIN with anyone
  • Don't click on suspicious links in SMS or emails
  • Verify you're on the real SASSA website (check URL)
  • Keep your ID and bank details private

Need to Check Your Payment Status?

See if your banking details are verified and check your payment date

Check Status Now