SRD Banking Details: How to Add or Change Them

What are the rules for an SRD bank account?

• In your own name. A spouse's, parent's or friend's account is rejected.
• Active. SASSA cannot pay into a dormant or closed account, and will not assign a payment date until an active one is confirmed.
• Changed only on the portal. Banking details cannot be changed by WhatsApp, SMS link, phone call or any other website. A message offering to "update your banking details" is a scam.
• Verified before use. SASSA confirms the account with the bank; payments use the new details only after that succeeds.
• Able to receive an EFT. SASSA pays social assistance by electronic funds transfer, so the account has to support it.

For a permanent grant, whether you are applying for the first time or updating your details, SASSA also asks for a recent three-month bank statement from an active account that clearly shows your name and account number. The full list is on documents and qualifying criteria.

How do I update my banking details?

1. Open the official banking-details page:https://srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/banking-details-update.
2. Choose the option for your ID type and enter your 13-digit ID number.
3. Enter the one-time PIN sent by SMS to the phone number on your application. If you no longer have that number, change your phone number first.
4. Enter the new details — bank, account number and type, or choose a cash-send option.
5. Accept the declaration that the account is yours and that SASSA may verify it with the bank. Without this the update cannot be submitted.
6. Submit and wait for verification. Do not submit the same change repeatedly; each submission restarts the check.

Which payment methods are available?

Bank account

Any South African bank, in your own name. The most reliable option once verified.

Cash send / cardless payment through a major bank

A code sent to your phone lets you withdraw at that bank's ATMs without an account. Choose this only if you cannot open an account.

Postbank card

For beneficiaries paid through Postbank — see the card change below.

You can switch methods on the same page; the new method is verified before it is used, so expect a short gap.

How long does verification take?

A banking change

Up to 7 working days to process and verify.

Full verification on a new application

Up to 21 working days.

Money after a payment date is assigned

Usually within 3 working days, depending on the bank.

While verification is running, an approved month can show no payment date — see approved but no payment date.

What happened to the SASSA Gold Card?

SASSA Gold Cards stopped working after 31 August 2026 and have been replaced by the Postbank Black Card. Beneficiaries still paid by Gold Card need the new card from Postbank, or can switch to a bank account of their own on the portal. Nobody will collect your old card or ask for its PIN; anyone who does is a scammer.

Common questions