While the social grants and services provided by SASSA are there to help struggling people and families support themselves, the government departments involved also have to be wary of fraud and other criminal activity surrounding the grant process. They can’t just trust you and hand you money! This means that stringent checks for the information you provide will be undertaken.
In particular, they will verify your provided banking details, check your stated income and assets carefully, and ensure that you are legitimately the person (or guardian of a minor) who should be receiving the grant. Sometimes there can be issues with confirming your identity, often arising from errors you make applying or a mismatch of details with the Department of Home Affairs. Luckily, there are things you can do to fix this error, should it occur. Here’s everything you need to know to do so.
What Does It Mean If Identity Verification Failed?
If your identity verification has failed on the SASSA system, it means that SASSA was not able to confirm your identity using the information you provided. As we mentioned above, this is typically due to incorrect or incomplete information on the application, their own technical issues, or an issue with your ID document as it reflects on the Home Affairs system.
When you apply for a SASSA grant, you will need to verify your identity to ensure that you are the rightful recipient of the grant. SASSA uses a variety of methods to verify your identity, including ID document verification, fingerprint biometrics, and checking other personal information with the entities that hold it.
If your identity verification fails, you may not be able to access your SASSA grant payments, and they may deny the application. In this case, you will need to contact the SASSA call center or visit a SASSA office to enquire about the issue and get assistance in resolving it. If you have a login for the app or the SASSA website, you can sometimes correct the information there, too, especially if it was your own error in the application.
It is important to ensure that your identity is properly verified by SASSA in order to access your grant payments and prevent any potential fraudulent activity, so this is well worth staying on top of. Don’t panic if you receive this status from SASSA!
How To Fix Identity Verification Failed for SASSA
If you are having trouble with the SASSA identity verification process, there are a few things you can do to try and resolve the issue.
The best place to start is with your own application. This can easily be amended online at the SASSA website by logging in, identifying the issue, and correcting it via the right menu. You can also do this in-person at a branch, and some items can be corrected via a call to the hotline, too. Make sure that the information you are providing is accurate and matches the information on your ID document.
A mismatch of details with Home Affairs is an incredibly common reason this issue occurs. It can be worth checking with the Department of Home Affairs as to exactly how you reflect on their system before you make your SASSA application for this same reason. This goes especially for people who have legally changed their name or go by a ‘common name’ that was not on their birth certificate. It is also common for women who have married or divorced without updating their ID and name on the Department’s system or adopted/fostered children whose details have not been updated.
If you suspect technical failure is the cause, try using a different device or web browser to complete the identity verification process or go into a SASSA office. If you suspect that there may be fraudulent activity related to your SASSA account, report it immediately to SASSA and the South African Police Service. This can often occur if you are applying for a child grant and there is already a grant for the child- obviously, if you are their caregiver and house them, you should be receiving that grant, even if they are not your biological child or legally adopted child.
If you have any doubts or confusion, contact the SASSA call center or visit a SASSA office to enquire about the issue and get assistance in resolving it.
How Do I Verify My Identity With SASSA?
Verifying your identity with SASSA is mostly done through the documents and information you provide on your application. Most importantly, your ID document, asylum seeker’s permit, or other proof of identity you use. The SRD grant/R350 grant will also take biometric data like fingerprints to verify your identity. Make sure you input these details carefully and that they match the details Home Affairs has on record for you, and your identity verification should be seamless. If you do encounter an issue, you can try the steps we outlined above or seek further information on the precise issue from SASSA and follow their recommendations.
What Does SRD Application Status ID Verification Failed Mean?
This simply means that SASSA could not verify your identity for the purposes of claiming the SRD grant/R350 grant. As with other SASSA grants, this usually happens because your ID document or biometrics does not match the governmental data about you. You can try the steps we suggested to remedy the matter.
Identity verification is one of the most important steps in your application for a SASSA grant and a common cause for applications to be denied. Luckily, correcting the matter is possible, so stay on top of your application and seek further information from SASSA as needed.
