Outrage as 2025 SASSA Grant Now Requires Smartphone and Smart ID for Access
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is under fire following the rollout of new verification requirements for the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant.
As of Saturday, 7 June 2025, all SRD applicants must complete biometric verification using a smartphone and a smart ID card—a move that critics say excludes the very people the grant is meant to support.
Also Read: SASSA Reveals June 2025 Payment Dates for Social Grants
Critics Slam ‘Unconscionable’ Smartphone Requirement for SASSA Grant
According to The South African, the Democratic Alliance (DA) and several civil society organisations have condemned the smartphone and smart ID requirements as “unconscionable,” especially given that applicants must prove they earn less than R624 per month to qualify for the R370-per-month grant.
“You cannot expect R370 SRD grant applicants to have access to a smartphone every month,” said DA shadow minister for social development, Bridget Masango.
She warned that the new digital process risks locking out thousands of vulnerable South Africans.
High Court Already Ruled Against SASSA Exclusions
The backlash follows a High Court ruling in January 2025, which found that SASSA could not deny qualifying applicants on the basis of budget constraints. Despite appealing the judgment, the agency appears to be moving ahead with what many are calling exclusionary tactics.
Masango added:
“SASSA should do more to provide volunteers to assist those vulnerable people. Instead, they are constantly introducing new obstacles that make it harder to access basic support.”
Digital Divide Deepens for the Poor
The new requirement has exposed a growing digital divide in South Africa. While the SASSA Services portal offers limited assistance through USSD and online status checks, applicants without smartphones or smart ID cards—especially those still using the old green ID books—are being locked out of the verification system.
According to SASSA, the shift to biometric verification is intended to reduce fraud, corruption and identity theft. However, many argue that this goal is being pursued at the expense of accessibility and fairness.
Complaints Surge Ahead of June 2025 SASSA Grant Payments
With June SRD payments scheduled for the last week of the month, customer care units are already inundated with complaints from applicants who have failed the new verification process. Many are now uncertain if they will receive the support they desperately rely on.
Follow Us on Google News for Immediate Updates
The post Outrage as 2025 SASSA Grant Now Requires Smartphone and Smart ID for Access appeared first on iHarare News.
