Age Outside Allowed Range (outside_qualifying_age) – What It Means, How to Fix It and How to Appeal (not_outside_qualifying_age)
At a Glance: What To Do First
Confirm the exact month showing outside_qualifying_age on your SRD status portal. Check whether your date of birth is recorded correctly on your SRD profile and whether it matches your green ID book or smart ID card exactly. If your date of birth is correct and you genuinely fall outside the qualifying age range for SRD, an appeal is unlikely to succeed. If your date of birth is wrong on the system or your ID number contains a digit error, you have grounds to appeal using not_outside_qualifying_age. Correcting the record at the Department of Home Affairs is the most important step before submitting.
What Age Outside Allowed Range Means on the SRD Portal
When your SRD application shows Age Outside Allowed Range or Outside Qualifying Age, the automated SRD check determined that your date of birth places you outside the age range required for SRD eligibility during the assessed month.
The wording appears differently depending on which portal you are using:
SRD status portal (srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/status): Age Outside Allowed Range
SRD appeals portal (srd.sassa.gov.za/appeals/appeal): outside_qualifying_age
Your appeal reason on the appeals portal: not_outside_qualifying_age
If your date of birth is correct and you genuinely fall outside the qualifying age range, the decline is correct and an appeal will not change the outcome. Appeals succeed when there is a date of birth or ID number error causing the system to assess your age incorrectly.
What the SRD Qualifying Age Range Is
The SRD R370 grant is available to South African citizens, permanent residents, and refugees between the ages of 18 and 59 years at the time of assessment for each month.
This means:
If you are under 18 during the assessed month, you do not qualify for SRD. You may qualify from the month you turn 18.
If you are 60 or older during the assessed month, you do not qualify for SRD. However, you may qualify for the Older Persons Grant, which provides significantly higher support. Contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 to apply.
If you are between 18 and 59 and receiving this decline, the system is likely reading an incorrect date of birth from your ID record or SRD profile.
How Your ID Number Contains Your Date of Birth
Understanding how your South African ID number works helps you identify errors quickly.
Your 13-digit South African ID number is structured as follows: the first six digits are your date of birth in YYMMDD format. For example, an ID number starting with 950415 means the person was born on 15 April 1995.
A single digit error in any of the first six digits of your ID number changes the date of birth the system reads, which can push your recorded age outside the qualifying range. For example, a 9 captured as a 0 in the year digits could shift your recorded birth year from 1995 to 2005, making you appear to be under 18 when the assessment runs.
This is why checking your ID number digit by digit against your official ID document is important before appealing.
Common Causes Behind This SRD Decline
Genuine age ineligibility. You are under 18 or 60 and older during the assessed month. The decline is correct.
Date of birth error on the SRD profile. When you registered for SRD your date of birth was captured incorrectly, either by yourself or due to a system error. The profile shows a different DOB from your official ID.
ID number digit error. One or more digits of your ID number were captured incorrectly during SRD registration, causing the system to read a different date of birth from the one on your actual ID document.
Department of Home Affairs record error. Your date of birth is incorrectly recorded on the Home Affairs database linked to your ID number. This is rarer but it does occur, particularly for people whose births were registered late or whose records were captured manually during earlier years.
Turning 18 during the grant period. If you applied for SRD before your 18th birthday, months assessed before you turned 18 will show this decline even if later months are approved. You qualify only from the month you turn 18.
Turning 60 during the grant period. If you turned 60 during an active SRD application period, months assessed from your 60th birthday onwards will show this decline. You become eligible for the Older Persons Grant at 60.
Recent Home Affairs correction not yet reflected. If you recently corrected your date of birth or ID details at Home Affairs, the correction may not yet have filtered through to the SASSA and SRD systems at the time of assessment.
Department of Home Affairs: Fix the Record Before You Appeal
If your date of birth or ID number is incorrect on any system, the correction must be made at the Department of Home Affairs first. Submitting an appeal without fixing the underlying record means the same error will continue affecting future months even if one appeal is successful.
What To Do at Home Affairs
Visit your nearest Department of Home Affairs office with your original green ID book or smart ID card and a certified copy. Explain that your date of birth is incorrectly recorded and request a correction. You will need to complete a BI-1947 form for a change in personal particulars. If your birth certificate was registered late or contains errors, bring any supporting documents such as a late registration of birth certificate or an affidavit.
Ask Home Affairs to provide written confirmation of the correction and the reference number for your application. Keep this as evidence for your SRD appeal.
Copy and Paste Email Template for Home Affairs
Department of Home Affairs does not have a widely published email for individual corrections and most corrections require an in-person visit. However, if you need to follow up after visiting:
Subject: Request for Confirmation of Date of Birth Correction – [Your ID Number]
Message:
Dear Department of Home Affairs,
I am writing to follow up on a date of birth correction I submitted at [Office Name and Location] on [Date of Visit]. My reference number is [Reference Number if provided]. I require written confirmation of the correction for submission as evidence with a SASSA SRD appeal.
Full name: [Your full name] ID number: [Your 13-digit ID number] Correct date of birth: [DD Month YYYY] Date of visit: [Date]
Please confirm the status of my correction request and provide written confirmation that can be used as official evidence.
Thank you.
Department of Home Affairs contact details:
Department of Home Affairs website: dha.gov.za
Department of Home Affairs contact centre: 0800 60 11 90 (free)
Fast Checks and Fixes Before You Appeal
Confirm the exact month showing outside_qualifying_age on your SRD status portal.
Compare your date of birth as shown on your green ID book or smart ID card against what you entered when you registered for SRD. Check every digit of your ID number carefully. A single transposed digit in the first six characters changes the birth date the system reads.
If you are genuinely between 18 and 59 and believe the decline is an error, check which of the following applies to your situation before gathering evidence:
Your SRD profile has an incorrect date of birth that differs from your ID document. Contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 to request a profile correction and appeal with your ID document as evidence.
Your ID document itself has an incorrect date of birth in the Home Affairs system. Visit your nearest Home Affairs office to request a correction before appealing.
Your ID number was captured with a digit error during SRD registration. Contact SASSA to correct the number and appeal with your correct ID document.
You turned 18 during the assessment period. You qualify only from the month of your 18th birthday. Months assessed before that date will correctly show this decline.
You turned 60 during the assessment period. From the month of your 60th birthday you are no longer eligible for SRD. Apply for the Older Persons Grant instead.
Only proceed to appeal once you understand which scenario applies and have documentation supporting your position.
Portal Appeal Option for This Status: not_outside_qualifying_age
Select not_outside_qualifying_age on the SRD appeals portal only when your evidence clearly shows that the age assessment is incorrect due to a date of birth or ID number error in the system.
Evidence Checklist for not_outside_qualifying_age
Your evidence must make your correct date of birth and ID number unmistakable. Blurred or illegible ID copies are one of the most common reasons age-related appeals are delayed or rejected.
Clear certified copy of your South African ID document showing your full name, ID number, and date of birth. The ID number and date of birth digits must be fully legible. This is your primary document for this appeal.
Birth certificate if available, particularly if your green ID book or smart ID card is not yet in your possession or if your Home Affairs record is being corrected.
Home Affairs correction confirmation if you have submitted a date of birth or ID number correction request. Include any reference number provided.
Written confirmation from SASSA if you contacted the SASSA helpline to report the profile error and they provided a reference number.
Portal screenshot showing the exact month and outside_qualifying_age wording.
Short written explanation of one paragraph stating which digit or detail is wrong on the system, what the correct information is, and what your evidence shows.
Do not submit unrelated documents. ITSAA reviews age-related appeals by comparing your ID document details against what the system recorded.
How To Submit Your SRD Appeal: not_outside_qualifying_age
Go to the official SRD appeals portal.
Enter your ID number and the phone number registered to your SRD application. Request the OTP and enter it to verify your identity. Select the specific month you are appealing. Each declined month must be appealed separately. Select not_outside_qualifying_age as your appeal reason. Upload your supporting documents ensuring your ID number and date of birth are clearly visible. Accept the declaration and submit. You will receive an SMS confirming your appeal has been received.
Written Appeal for Cases Older Than 90 Days
If the 90-day online window has passed, the appeals portal will block the month you want to appeal. You can still submit a written appeal.
Download the official SASSA appeal form from sassa.gov.za. Complete the form for the specific declined month. Attach certified copies of your supporting documents with your date of birth clearly visible. Submit in person at your nearest SASSA office or send by registered post to your provincial SASSA office. Keep your proof of submission. Include a covering letter explaining which month you are appealing, what the error is, and why the online deadline was missed.
Written appeals are reviewed by the same ITSAA process and carry the same weight as online submissions.
If Your SRD Appeal Is Declined
If ITSAA declines your appeal the outcome for that specific month is final through the internal process.
Before accepting the outcome, check the following:
Confirm you appealed the correct declined month. Check whether your ID copy was clear and legible in your submission. Check whether the date of birth and ID number in your uploaded document match what you stated in your explanation. If any detail was unclear or inconsistent, this is likely why the appeal failed.
If you are genuinely within the qualifying age range and the decline persists:
Judicial review through the High Court. You have 180 days from the final ITSAA decision to apply for judicial review under the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA). This requires legal assistance.
Free legal assistance. Legal Aid South Africa and Black Sash both provide free advice to grant applicants. If your date of birth is genuinely correct and the system continues to decline you incorrectly after you have corrected the record at Home Affairs, contact either organisation for guidance.
If you are turning 60 and transitioning grants: Contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 as soon as possible to begin your Older Persons Grant application. There is a gap period between SRD ending and the Older Persons Grant commencing and starting the application early reduces this gap.
Tips and Scam Awareness for Age Outside Allowed Range Declines
Practical Tips That Improve Outcomes
Fix the record before you appeal. If the error is in the Home Affairs system or your SRD profile, submitting an appeal without correcting the underlying record means the same error will affect future months. Visit Home Affairs and contact SASSA to update the record before or alongside your appeal submission.
Scan your ID in good lighting. Blurred or dark ID scans are one of the most common reasons age-related appeals are delayed. Use a flat surface and ensure every digit of your ID number is clearly readable before uploading.
Check later months after a correction. If you successfully correct your date of birth at Home Affairs or on your SRD profile, future months should assess correctly without requiring separate appeals for each.
If you are turning 18 soon, note the month of your birthday and recheck your SRD status from that month onwards. You are not eligible for months before you turn 18 but you should qualify from your birthday month.
Scam and Fraud Red Flags
Age correction scams. Do not pay anyone claiming they can change your date of birth record or remove an age flag from your SRD profile. No private person or service has access to Home Affairs or SASSA databases. Corrections must be done in person at official Home Affairs and SASSA offices at no charge.
Fake ID documents. Do not use or purchase fraudulent ID documents or altered birth certificates to support your appeal. Submitting fraudulent documents to ITSAA is a criminal offence and will result in a permanent ban from the SRD grant and potential prosecution.
OTP and PIN theft. Scammers may contact you claiming to help fix your age record and ask for your SRD PIN or OTP. Never share these with anyone.
Unofficial portals. Use only srd.sassa.gov.za for your appeal. Any other website offering to correct your age or process your appeal is unofficial.
SRD appeals are completely free.
Summary: What To Do If You Are Declined for Age Outside Allowed Range
- Confirm the exact month showing outside_qualifying_age on your SRD status portal.
- Check your green ID book or smart ID card and compare your date of birth and ID number digit by digit against what your SRD profile shows.
- If there is an error in the Home Affairs system, visit your nearest Department of Home Affairs office to request a correction and obtain written confirmation.
- If there is an error on your SRD profile, contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 to request a correction.
- Gather your supporting documents with your date of birth and ID number clearly visible.
- Submit your appeal at the SRD appeals portal selecting not_outside_qualifying_age within 90 days.
- If beyond 90 days, submit a written appeal with your documents at your nearest SASSA office.
- If your appeal is declined and you believe the decision is wrong, contact Legal Aid South Africa or Black Sash for free advice.
- If you are turning 60, contact SASSA as early as possible to begin your Older Persons Grant application.
Age Outside Allowed Range FAQs
What is the qualifying age range for SRD? The SRD R370 grant is available to applicants aged 18 to 59 years at the time of monthly assessment. If you are under 18 or 60 and older during the assessed month, you do not qualify for SRD for that period.
Can I appeal if I am genuinely outside the age range? No. If your date of birth is correct and you fall outside the 18 to 59 range during the assessed month, the decline is correct and an appeal will not succeed. Appeals are only appropriate where there is a date of birth or ID number error causing the system to assess your age incorrectly.
My date of birth on my SRD profile is wrong. What do I do? Contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 to request a profile correction. Provide your correct ID document details and ask for a reference number. Then appeal with not_outside_qualifying_age and attach your ID document as evidence.
My ID number has a digit error. How do I fix it? Visit your nearest SASSA office with your correct ID document to request a profile update. If the error originates in the Home Affairs database rather than just your SRD profile, visit your nearest Department of Home Affairs office to request a correction first.
I turn 18 next month. Can I apply for SRD now? You can apply now but months assessed before your 18th birthday will show this decline. You will qualify from the month you turn 18. Check your SRD status again from that month onwards.
I just turned 60. What happens to my SRD? From the month of your 60th birthday you are no longer eligible for SRD. You become eligible for the Older Persons Grant, which provides higher monthly support. Contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 as soon as possible to begin your application. Starting early reduces the gap between your last SRD payment and your first Older Persons Grant payment.
I corrected my date of birth at Home Affairs. How long before it reflects on SRD? Corrections at Home Affairs can take several weeks to filter through to linked government systems including SASSA. Once you have your Home Affairs correction reference, contact SASSA directly to flag the correction so they can update your SRD profile sooner. Keep checking your status in following months.
What if an older month is blocked on the portal? Submit a written appeal at your nearest SASSA office with a certified copy of your ID document showing the correct date of birth. The written process follows the same ITSAA review.
How do I avoid age correction scams? Do not pay anyone claiming to correct your age record or remove the flag. Visit Home Affairs and SASSA offices in person. Report suspicious contact to SASSA on 0800 60 10 11.
Official References
- SRD status portal
- SRD appeals portal
- SRD appeals guidance
- SASSA website
- SASSA helpline: 0800 60 10 11 (free, Monday to Friday)
- SASSA WhatsApp: 082 046 8553
- Department of Home Affairs
- Department of Home Affairs contact centre: 0800 60 11 90 (free)
- Legal Aid South Africa
- Black Sash
Information on this page is sourced from official SASSA announcements and verified against www.sassa.gov.za. For official queries contact SASSA directly at www.sassa.gov.za or call 0800 60 10 11.
