What Happens if You Don’t Repay Your Debt to SASSA?

Did you receive a SASSA grant after finding work and now owe money back? If you don’t settle the debt, you could lose access to all future social grants. Here’s what happens when you ignore repayment.

SASSA Debt: What It Means

If you received the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant when you no longer qualified—for example, after getting a job SASSA will classify the amount paid to you as a debt. This happens when your income goes above the qualifying threshold or if incorrect details were provided during the application.

SASSA follows Section 10.1 of the Ministerial Directions, which allows the agency to recover any funds given to someone who didn’t qualify. Providing incorrect or incomplete information is considered fraud and may lead to legal consequences.

How SASSA Informs You of a Debt?

If you’re flagged as a debtor, SASSA will send an SMS notice informing you about the overpayment. This message will:

• Confirm the debt amount
• Explain the repayment method
• Mention that you are no longer eligible for further grants until the debt is cleared

There is no appeal process once SASSA declares you a debtor.

How to Check If You Owe SASSA?

To confirm your debtor status:

1. Visit http://srd.sassa.gov.za/SC19/STATUS
2. Use your South African ID number and the phone number used during your grant application
3. Check your application status

If listed as a debtor, follow the repayment instructions immediately.

How to Repay SASSA Debt Safely?

SASSA accepts repayment through electronic bank deposits only. All bank accounts are hosted at First National Bank (FNB) under the branch code 250655. Always use your ID number as the reference.

SASSA FNB Account Numbers by Province:

• Free State: 6213 1569 793
• Gauteng: 6213 1570 352
• KwaZulu-Natal: 6213 1571 128
• Limpopo: 6213 1572 093
• Mpumalanga: 6213 1578 918
• Northern Cape: 6213 1579 914
• North West: 6213 1580 591
• Western Cape: 6213 1568 638

Ensure that your reference is correct to avoid processing issues.

What Happens if You Don’t Repay the Debt?

If you fail to repay:

• You will be blocked from accessing any future SASSA grants.
• Your debt remains active and does not expire.
• You risk legal recovery action if the debt continues unpaid.
• You cannot appeal or request to cancel the debt.

Avoiding repayment delays your eligibility for future support from SASSA.

Can You Arrange a Repayment Plan?

Yes, you can contact SASSA and discuss possible repayment terms that suit your financial situation. This can help avoid large one-time payments.

SASSA Contact Details:

• Toll-Free Call Centre: 0800 60 10 11
• Head Office Number: 012 400 2322
• Email: [email protected]

Provide your ID number and mention that you want to discuss a repayment arrangement.

Where to Get Legal Help

If you feel overwhelmed, organisations like The Black Sash offer free paralegal assistance. They can help you:

• Understand your rights
• Communicate with SASSA
• Negotiate repayments

Contact Black Sash:

• Email: [email protected]
• Helpline: 072 633 3739 / 063 610 1865

Important Points to Remember

• Always use your ID as a payment reference
• Payments must be made to the correct FNB account based on your province
• You can’t apply for or receive any SASSA grant until the full debt is cleared
• Ignoring the debt can lead to legal action or garnishment in future

Conclusion

Not repaying your SASSA debt affects more than just your current grant. It blocks future assistance, leads to long-term consequences, and may result in legal recovery. Always check your status, respond to notices promptly, and repay using official methods. If needed, reach out to SASSA or trusted legal groups like Black Sash to help manage the repayment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How will I know if I owe SASSA money?

You’ll receive an SMS from SASSA. You can also check your status at srd.sassa.gov.za.

Q. Can I ignore the debt?

No. Ignoring it blocks future grant access and can lead to legal recovery.

Q. Can I pay the debt in parts?

Yes. Contact SASSA to arrange a manageable repayment plan.

Q. Will my debt ever expire?

No. It remains until paid in full.

Q. Can I appeal the debt decision?

No. SASSA does not offer an appeal process for debt classification.