How to Change Your SASSA Banking Details

SASSA's You and Your Grant booklet sets the rules for any account SASSA pays into:

• it must be an active personal bank account in the applicant's own name
• it must support electronic fund transfers
• when you apply or update your details, you must give a recent three-month bank statement from an active account that clearly shows your name and account number

A November 2025 SASSA statement adds that when banking details do not belong to the applicant, the system will not verify the payment. So a spouse's, parent's or child's account won't work, even with their consent.

Have ready your 13-digit ID number and the cellphone number registered with SASSA, because SASSA sends its verification messages to that number. If that number is no longer yours, fix it first: changing your phone number explains how.

For SRD. SASSA's statements are clear on what matters: the account must belong to you, and the details are verified before any payment (SASSA, 6 November 2025). Once they are verified and confirmed, the grant is paid from the next pay run. SASSA also warned in January 2025 not to keep changing banking details and contact numbers, because it delays payment, so change them once and get them right.

1. Start at srd.sassa.gov.za and check that the address ends in sassa.gov.za.
2. Use the portal's option for changing banking details. If you can't find it, or the portal won't accept your details, call SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 and ask where to do it.
3. Enter the bank name, account number and account type for an account in your own name.
4. Complete any verification SASSA asks for, and keep the confirmation.

For a permanent grant. Tell SASSA in person. SASSA's booklet says beneficiaries are responsible for notifying it of changes, and that a new account needs the three-month bank statement above. Take your ID and the statement to your nearest SASSA office. Offices and contact details are on the offices page. You can also ask SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 or by email at GrantEnquiries@sassa.gov.za what it needs for your grant.

Don't send your details to anyone who messages you offering to change your account. SASSA says it never asks for your PIN, and never asks for your ID number or banking details on social media or unofficial websites.

SASSA says that once your details are verified, payment follows in the next pay run.

While you wait, keep your old account open in case a payment is sent to it.

If the new details fail verification, your status may change to Bank Verification Failed. What that means and how to fix it lists the usual causes. Back at manage your SASSA grant, you can find the other account tasks.