Referred Linked Risk Mobile (referred_linked_risk_mobile) — What It Means, How to Fix It and How to Appeal
At a Glance: What To Do First
Confirm the exact month showing referred_linked_risk_mobile on your SRD status portal. This decline is different from most other SRD decline reasons because it does not relate to a specific income source or government programme. It relates to a risk flag linked to your mobile number or mobile financial services profile. The appeal reason for this decline is not listed as a simple inversion of the code. Contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 as your first step to confirm the exact appeal reason available for the assessed month and what specific record triggered the flag.
What Referred Linked Risk Mobile Means on the SRD Portal
When your SRD application shows Referred Linked Risk Mobile, the automated SRD check flagged a risk indicator linked to your mobile number or mobile financial services activity for the assessed month. SRD cross-checks applicant data against multiple databases including mobile network operator records and mobile money platform data. A risk flag in these systems can trigger a referral that results in a decline.
The wording appears differently depending on which portal you are using:
SRD status portal (srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/status): Referred Linked Risk Mobile
SRD appeals portal (srd.sassa.gov.za/appeals/appeal): referred_linked_risk_mobile
This is one of the more technically complex SRD decline reasons because it involves risk profiling systems rather than a straightforward programme record. The word “referred” in the decline code indicates that the automated check flagged your profile for additional review rather than making a direct eligibility determination. It means the system detected something that required human review and the outcome of that review was a decline.
Because SRD is assessed per month, the flag applies to the specific assessed month shown on your portal.
What Triggers a Mobile Linked Risk Flag
Mobile number linked to multiple SRD profiles. If the mobile number registered on your SRD application is also registered on another person’s SRD profile, the system may flag it as a risk indicator. This can happen where family members share a phone number for SRD applications, where a number was previously used by someone else before you acquired the SIM, or where a scammer has used your number fraudulently on another account.
Mobile money account activity flagged as inconsistent. If you use a mobile money wallet such as MTN MoMo, Vodacom M-Pesa, or similar services, transaction patterns detected in that account may be interpreted by risk systems as inconsistent with SRD eligibility criteria. Large or frequent incoming transactions through mobile money can trigger a risk flag even if the funds are not income in the conventional sense.
Number registered under a different ID in mobile network records. If the mobile number registered on your SRD application does not match the ID number associated with that number in the mobile network operator’s records, the mismatch may generate a risk flag. This can happen where a SIM was purchased using a different ID or where a number was transferred between people without formal re-RICA registration.
RICA non-compliance. South African mobile numbers are required to be registered under the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related Information Act (RICA). If your SIM card is not properly RICA-registered under your name and ID, this creates a mismatch between your SRD profile and your mobile network record that may trigger a risk flag.
Fraudulent activity flagged on mobile number. If your mobile number has been flagged by a mobile network operator, fraud prevention body, or financial intelligence system for suspected fraudulent activity, this flag may carry over into SRD cross-checks.
How To Investigate and Resolve a Mobile Risk Flag
Because this decline involves risk systems that span multiple organisations, resolving it requires checking several possible sources.
Step 1: Contact SASSA first.
Call SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 and ask them specifically what triggered the referred_linked_risk_mobile flag for the assessed month. Ask whether the flag relates to your mobile number, a mobile money account, a RICA mismatch, or another risk indicator. Note the reference number for your call. This conversation will direct your next steps.
Step 2: Check your RICA registration.
Contact your mobile network operator and ask them to confirm that your SIM card is correctly RICA-registered under your full name and ID number. The major network operators and their RICA contact channels are:
Vodacom RICA: 082 135 or www.vodacom.co.za
MTN RICA: 083 135 or www.mtn.co.za
Cell C RICA: 084 135 or www.cellc.co.za
Telkom Mobile RICA: 081 180 or www.telkom.co.za
If your SIM is not correctly registered under your ID, request a RICA correction immediately. Bring your original ID document to any network operator store to complete re-RICA in person.
Step 3: Check whether your number is linked to another SRD profile.
Contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 and ask whether the mobile number registered on your SRD application appears on any other SRD profile. If it does and you did not authorise this, report it as potential SRD fraud. SASSA will investigate and can de-link the number from the fraudulent profile.
Step 4: If you use mobile money.
Contact your mobile money provider and request a statement for the assessed month. Check whether any transactions could be interpreted as regular income. If you receive money from family members to cover living expenses, this pattern of deposits may have triggered the flag. A statement showing the transaction sources and amounts may be useful evidence in your appeal.
Copy and Paste Email Template for Mobile Network RICA Query
Subject: RICA Registration Verification Request — [Your ID Number] — SRD Decline: referred_linked_risk_mobile
Message:
Dear [Network Operator Name] RICA Team,
I am writing to request confirmation that my SIM card registered under the number [Your Mobile Number] is correctly RICA-registered under my full name and ID number. My SRD R370 grant application was declined with the reason Referred Linked Risk Mobile (referred_linked_risk_mobile) and I need to verify my RICA registration as part of investigating this decline.
Full name: [Your full name as on your ID] ID number: [Your 13-digit ID number] Mobile number: [Your mobile number]
Please confirm whether this number is correctly registered under my ID and name. If there is any discrepancy, please advise on the process to correct it.
Thank you.
Fast Checks and Fixes Before You Appeal
Confirm the exact month showing referred_linked_risk_mobile on your SRD status portal.
Contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 to identify the specific risk trigger for the assessed month. This is essential before doing anything else because the resolution pathway depends entirely on what type of risk flag was detected.
Check your RICA registration with your mobile network operator. If your SIM is not correctly registered under your ID this is the most common and easiest fix for this decline reason.
Check your mobile money statement if applicable. Look for transaction patterns that could be misinterpreted as regular income.
Portal Appeal Option for This Status
Contact SASSA to confirm the exact appeal reason available for referred_linked_risk_mobile for the assessed month before submitting your appeal. The appeal reason may vary depending on what the underlying flag relates to. Select the correct appeal reason as advised by SASSA and upload your supporting documents.
Evidence Checklist
SASSA call reference number from your investigation call confirming what triggered the flag.
RICA confirmation letter from your mobile network operator confirming your SIM is correctly registered under your name and ID number.
Mobile money statement for the assessed month if applicable, showing transaction sources and amounts.
Written explanation of one paragraph describing what you investigated, what you found, and why the risk flag does not reflect your actual eligibility status for the assessed month.
Certified copy of your South African ID document.
Portal screenshot showing the exact month and referred_linked_risk_mobile wording.
How To Submit Your SRD Appeal
Go to the official SRD appeals portal. Enter your ID number and registered phone number. Request and enter the OTP. Select the specific declined month. Select the appeal reason as confirmed by SASSA. Upload your supporting documents. Submit and keep your SMS confirmation.
Written Appeal for Cases Older Than 90 Days
If the 90-day window has passed, download the official SASSA appeal form from sassa.gov.za, complete it for the specific declined month, attach certified copies of your documents, and submit at your nearest SASSA office.
If Your SRD Appeal Is Declined
If ITSAA declines your appeal the outcome for that specific month is final through the internal process. You have 180 days from the final ITSAA decision to apply for judicial review under PAJA. Contact Legal Aid South Africa or Black Sash for free advice. If the underlying risk flag was caused by incorrect data in a mobile network or mobile money system, pursue a correction at source with the relevant organisation to prevent future months from being affected.
Tips and Scam Awareness
This decline reason is frequently exploited by scammers who claim they can remove mobile risk flags from SASSA’s system. No private person or service has access to SRD risk profiling systems. Do not pay anyone claiming they can fix a referred_linked_risk_mobile decline. The only legitimate pathway is through SASSA directly and through your mobile network operator’s official RICA process. SRD appeals are completely free.
Summary: What To Do If You Are Declined for Referred Linked Risk Mobile
- Confirm the exact month showing referred_linked_risk_mobile on your SRD status portal.
- Call SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 immediately and ask what specific risk trigger caused the flag for the assessed month.
- Check your RICA registration with your mobile network operator.
- Check whether your mobile number is linked to another SRD profile and report it if so.
- Review your mobile money statement if applicable.
- Gather your supporting documents and submit your appeal at the SRD appeals portal using the appeal reason confirmed by SASSA.
- If beyond 90 days, submit a written appeal at your nearest SASSA office.
- If your appeal is declined, contact Legal Aid South Africa or Black Sash.
Referred Linked Risk Mobile FAQs
What does referred mean in this context? Referred means the automated SRD check flagged your profile for additional review rather than making an automatic determination. The review outcome was a decline. It indicates that a risk indicator was detected in your mobile-linked data that required human assessment.
Why would my mobile number cause an SRD decline? The most common reasons are that your SIM is not correctly RICA-registered under your ID, your number is linked to another SRD profile, or mobile money transactions were flagged as inconsistent with eligibility criteria. Contact SASSA to find out which specific trigger applies to your case.
What is RICA and how do I fix a RICA mismatch? RICA is the law requiring all South African SIM cards to be registered under the owner’s name and ID number. If your SIM was purchased or transferred without correct registration, take your original ID document to any store of your mobile network operator and request a RICA correction in person.
Someone is using my phone number on their SRD application. What do I do? Contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 and report that your number appears to be linked to another person’s SRD profile without your consent. This is a form of SRD fraud. SASSA can investigate and de-link the number. Also report the matter to your mobile network operator.
Can later months be approved after the issue is resolved? Yes. Once the underlying risk flag is resolved, whether through a RICA correction, removal of your number from a fraudulent profile, or another fix, future monthly assessments should no longer be affected.
Official References
- SRD status portal
- SRD appeals portal
- SASSA website
- SASSA helpline: 0800 60 10 11
- SASSA WhatsApp: 082 046 8553
- Vodacom RICA: 082 135
- MTN RICA: 083 135
- Cell C RICA: 084 135
- Telkom Mobile RICA: 081 180
- 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.
