SRD Identity Verification: How to Complete It

When is identity verification required?

When your details do not match Home Affairs cleanly, when a month is referred, when you change your phone number or banking details, and at random as a fraud control. eKYC exists to stop someone else using your ID to claim, redirect or check your grant. Until an open verification is completed, an approved month stays unpaid.

How do I complete it?

1. Watch your registered phone for two SMS messages from SASSA. The second contains your verification link. It is issued to you alone and does not work on another number.
2. Open the link within its validity period — about 72 hours — on a phone with a working camera and mobile data or Wi-Fi.
3. Follow the prompts to photograph your face. Good light, no hat or sunglasses, face fully in frame.
4. Submit and note the confirmation. Then wait; the result is processed separately from your monthly status.

No link yet? Request verification on the official verification page, which sends the SMS to your registered number.

What do I need?

• Access to the phone number on your application — if you have lost it, change the number first
• A smartphone with a camera and internet connection
• Your face, in good light — no documents are uploaded in this step

How long do results take?

Between 48 hours and 21 working days. The verification is reviewed separately from your monthly assessment, so your status may not change immediately. Check the result on the verification page; once it shows verified, affected months are re-assessed and paid on the next batch if approved.

What if the link never arrived, expired, or was deleted?

Not received

Confirm the number on your application is the one you are watching, has signal and is not full. Then request a new link on the verification page.

Expired

A link not used within its period expires automatically. Request a new one; the old one cannot be reactivated.

Deleted

The original link cannot be recovered. Request a new one the same way.

Sent to an old number

Change your registered number, then request the link again.

What if verification failed?

Three causes cover almost every failure:

1. Details mismatch. Name, ID or date of birth on the application differ from your ID document. Correct them on the portal and request verification again.
2. Photo not accepted. Poor light, partial face, or a different person. Repeat in daylight with your face fully in frame.
3. Home Affairs record outdated. Your DHA record has an old photo or wrong details. Visit a Home Affairs office with your ID to update it, then verify again.

A month declined as identity verification failed can be appealed within 90 days once verification succeeds. If your eKYC still shows pending, allow the full 21 working days before appealing on that basis.

Common questions