Lost Reference Number

If you’ve submitted a reconsideration or appeal for your SASSA SRD R350 grant and lost your reference number, you may be panicking—especially if you want to track your application, check the outcome, or re-submit.

The reference number is crucial, but losing it doesn’t mean you’ve lost your appeal entirely.

In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show you how to retrieve or track your SASSA reconsideration even if you can’t find your reference number.

Why the SASSA Reconsideration Reference Number Is Important

Your “SASSA reference number acts as proof that you submitted a reconsideration or appeal request. It also allows:

• Tracking your appeal status online
• Verifying submission date and reason
• Re-submitting supporting documents if required
• Communicating with SASSA or the Appeals Tribunal efficiently

Without it, you may face delays or duplicate submissions, which could slow down your payments or lead to confusion.

How to Retrieve Your Lost SASSA Reconsideration Reference Number

1. Check Your SMS or Email Inbox

When you submit an appeal or reconsideration, SASSA usually sends a confirmation SMS or email containing your:

• Reference number
• Submission date
• Decline reason appealed

📱 Search keywords to look for:

• “SASSA reference”
• “SRD reconsideration”
• “SRD appeal submission”

2. Use the SRD Website Status Checker

Even if you lost the reference number, your ID number and cellphone number are enough to track your application.

Steps:

1. Visit https://srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/status
2. Enter your ID number and cellphone number
3. Click “Submit”
4. You’ll see:
   • Declined/approved months
   • Appeal status (if submitted)
   • If an appeal was received

🚨 Note: This will not always show the actual reference number, but confirms whether your reconsideration was logged.

3. Contact SASSA Directly

If you’ve checked your messages and the portal with no luck, try contacting SASSA directly for reference recovery.

Contact Methods:

• Toll-Free Call: 0800 60 10 11
• Email: srd@sassa.gov.za (Include ID, cellphone, and mention appeal month)
• WhatsApp: 082 046 8553 (Send “Hi” → Follow prompts)
• In-Person: Visit the nearest SASSA local office and bring your ID

📄 Prepare this info before contacting:

• Your South African ID
• Your cellphone number used in the application
• The month(s) you submitted reconsideration for

What If I Never Received a Reference Number?

Sometimes SASSA fails to send the confirmation message. This could be due to:

• Network issues
• Errors in your cellphone number
• Technical errors on the SASSA system

If you didn’t get a reference:

• Go to https://srd.sassa.gov.za/appeals
• Enter your ID and phone number
• If the system allows you to re-submit, your original appeal may not have gone through
• If it says you’ve already appealed, you’re in the system—even without a reference number

Can You Still Appeal Without a Reference Number?

Yes! You don’t need the reference number to resubmit your appeal or check your status. All you need is:

• Your South African ID
• Your correct cellphone number (must match the application)

Here’s how to resubmit or recheck your appeal:

Step-by-Step Guide: Recheck or Resubmit Your Appeal

1. Go to: https://srd.sassa.gov.za/appeals
2. Input your ID and number
3. If appeal is not yet submitted, you’ll be able to enter your reason and submit
4. If already appealed, system will show a message confirming this

Best Practices: Prevent Losing Your Reference Again

To avoid future problems:

• ✅ Take a screenshot of the confirmation page
• ✅ Save SMS messages from SASSA
• ✅ Write the number down on paper or in a notes app
• ✅ Forward confirmation emails to a backup account

SASSA Alternatives If You Can’t Recover the Number

If you’ve tried everything and still can’t retrieve your reference number:

• Reapply for the next SRD cycle (if still in need)
• Re-appeal if the system allows duplicate submissions
• Visit SASSA in person with your ID for direct resolution
• Ask a legal aid or NGO like Black Sash to intervene (especially for urgent financial needs)

Conclusion

Losing your SASSA reconsideration reference number is frustrating, but not a dead end. By using your ID and cellphone number, you can still track your status, re-appeal, or contact SASSA to retrieve your information.

✅ Act quickly, stay organized, and document every step. Your grant depends on it.
If this guide helped you, share it with someone else who might be stuck without a reference number.

FAQs