Referred SAFPS (referred_safps) — What It Means, How to Fix It and How to Appeal
At a Glance: What To Do First
Confirm the exact month showing referred_safps on your SRD status portal. This decline is among the most serious in the SRD system because SAFPS is the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service, a national fraud prevention database. A SAFPS listing linked to your ID means a fraud-related flag has been placed against your identity. Before appealing your SRD, your first priority is to contact SAFPS directly to find out what listing exists under your ID and whether it is correct. If the listing is incorrect, disputing it with SAFPS is the fix that resolves not only your SRD but potentially other financial services affected by the same listing.
What Referred SAFPS Means on the SRD Portal
When your SRD application shows Referred SAFPS, the automated SRD check detected a SAFPS listing linked to your ID number for the assessed month. SAFPS is South Africa’s national fraud prevention database, used by banks, insurers, retailers, mobile operators, and government bodies to screen for fraud risk. A listing on SAFPS indicates that a member organisation has flagged your ID in connection with fraud, impersonation, or identity-related misconduct.
The wording appears differently depending on which portal you are using:
SRD status portal (srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/status): Referred SAFPS
SRD appeals portal (srd.sassa.gov.za/appeals/appeal): referred_safps
Like referred_linked_risk_mobile, the word “referred” indicates the system flagged your profile for additional review. In this case the referral is to SAFPS data specifically.
This is one of the most important SRD decline reasons to address at source because a SAFPS listing affects your access to multiple financial and government services beyond SRD alone.
What SAFPS Is and Why It Matters
The Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS) is a non-profit organisation funded by South Africa’s major financial institutions and other member organisations. It operates two primary databases that are relevant to SRD declines.
Protective Registration. A voluntary listing where a person places their own ID on the SAFPS database to protect against identity theft. If someone has stolen your ID documents and is using them fraudulently, you can register yourself on SAFPS to alert member organisations to verify more carefully before processing transactions in your name. A protective registration should not cause an SRD decline on its own but may interact with SRD cross-checks.
Victim of Impersonation (VOI) listing. If a member organisation such as a bank has detected that your ID was used fraudulently by someone impersonating you, they can list you as a Victim of Impersonation on SAFPS. This listing is intended to protect you but can also trigger additional verification requirements across financial and government systems.
Fraud listing. If a member organisation believes you personally committed fraud, they can list you as a fraud perpetrator on SAFPS. This is the most serious type of listing and has significant consequences across banking, insurance, and government services. A fraud listing linked to your ID can be correct if you were involved in fraud, or incorrect if the listing was made in error or involves a case of mistaken identity.
Common Causes Behind This SRD Decline
Fraud listing placed by a bank or financial institution. You were listed on SAFPS by a member organisation in connection with a fraud-related incident. This may be correct or may be an error.
Identity theft. Someone stole or used your ID documents to commit fraud and the resulting SAFPS listing was placed under your ID number rather than the perpetrator’s. This is one of the most common causes of an incorrect SAFPS flag affecting innocent people.
Mistaken identity or data error. Your ID number was incorrectly captured in a SAFPS listing that belongs to someone else.
Old or resolved listing not removed. A SAFPS listing from a previous period was not removed after the matter was resolved.
Protective registration triggering additional checks. If you registered yourself on SAFPS for protective purposes, this may interact with SRD cross-checks in unexpected ways.
How To Investigate and Dispute a SAFPS Listing
Step 1: Contact SAFPS directly.
You have the right to know what is listed under your ID on SAFPS. Contact SAFPS to request a disclosure of what information is held against your ID number.
SAFPS website: safps.org.za SAFPS email: safps@safps.org.za SAFPS phone: 011 867 2234
Ask them to confirm what type of listing exists under your ID number, which organisation placed the listing, and when the listing was placed.
Step 2: If the listing is incorrect, dispute it.
SAFPS has a formal dispute process. If the listing is incorrect, either because of identity theft, mistaken identity, or a data error, you can dispute it directly with SAFPS. SAFPS will investigate and contact the member organisation that placed the listing to verify the facts.
To dispute a listing you will need your certified ID document, a written explanation of why the listing is incorrect, and any supporting evidence you have. SAFPS will advise on the specific documents required for your type of dispute.
Step 3: If your identity was stolen.
If you discover that someone has been using your ID fraudulently, you should open a case with the South African Police Service (SAPS) in addition to disputing the SAFPS listing. A case number from SAPS strengthens your SAFPS dispute and your SRD appeal.
You should also register yourself on the SAFPS Protective Registration database to alert all member organisations to apply additional verification before processing any transaction in your name.
Step 4: Contact SASSA after SAFPS.
Once you have confirmation from SAFPS of what the listing relates to and whether a dispute has been lodged, contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 and provide them with your SAFPS reference number. Ask SASSA to confirm the exact appeal reason available for referred_safps for the assessed month.
Copy and Paste Email to SAFPS
Subject: Request for Disclosure and Dispute — ID Number [Your ID Number] — SRD Decline: referred_safps
Message:
Dear SAFPS Team,
I am writing to request disclosure of any information held against my ID number on the SAFPS database. My SRD R370 grant application was declined with the reason Referred SAFPS (referred_safps) for [Month Year] and I need to understand what listing exists under my ID in order to investigate and appeal this decision.
Full name: [Your full name as on your ID] ID number: [Your 13-digit ID number]
Please confirm what type of listing exists under my ID number, which member organisation placed the listing, and when the listing was placed. If the listing is incorrect, please advise on the formal dispute process and what documents are required.
Thank you.
Fast Checks and Fixes Before You Appeal
Confirm the exact month showing referred_safps on your SRD status portal.
Contact SAFPS on 011 867 2234 or email safps@safps.org.za immediately to request disclosure of what is listed under your ID. Do this before anything else.
Contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 after receiving SAFPS disclosure to confirm the exact appeal reason and what evidence ITSAA will need.
If your identity was stolen, open a SAPS case and obtain a case number before submitting your appeal.
Portal Appeal Option for This Status
Contact SASSA to confirm the exact appeal reason for referred_safps before submitting. Submit your appeal using the reason confirmed by SASSA and include your SAFPS disclosure, dispute reference number, and any SAPS case number as supporting evidence.
Evidence Checklist
SAFPS disclosure letter confirming what is listed under your ID number.
SAFPS dispute reference number if you have lodged a formal dispute.
SAPS case number if you have reported identity theft to the police.
Written explanation of why the SAFPS listing does not correctly reflect your situation for the assessed month.
Certified copy of your South African ID document.
Portal screenshot showing the exact month and referred_safps wording.
SASSA call reference number from your investigation call.
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 SAFPS disclosure and 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 including your SAFPS disclosure, 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 SAFPS listing is incorrect, continuing to pursue the SAFPS dispute at source is critical because the listing affects not only your SRD but your access to banking, credit, and other services.
Tips and Scam Awareness
A referred_safps decline is frequently exploited by scammers who claim they can remove SAFPS listings for a fee. No private person or service can remove or alter a SAFPS listing. Only SAFPS and its member organisations have the authority to update listings through the formal dispute process. Do not pay anyone claiming they can fix a SAFPS flag. SRD appeals are completely free.
If you discover your identity has been used fraudulently, act quickly. The longer a fraudulent SAFPS listing remains uncontested the more damage it can do to your financial profile. Contact SAFPS, SAPS, and the South African Identity Theft Resource Centre at idtheft.co.za for guidance.
Summary: What To Do If You Are Declined for Referred SAFPS
- Confirm the exact month showing referred_safps on your SRD status portal.
- Contact SAFPS on 011 867 2234 or safps@safps.org.za immediately to request disclosure of what listing exists under your ID.
- If the listing is incorrect, lodge a formal dispute with SAFPS and obtain a dispute reference number.
- If your identity was stolen, open a SAPS case and obtain a case number.
- Contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 to confirm the exact appeal reason and what evidence is needed.
- Submit your appeal at the SRD appeals portal with your SAFPS disclosure and supporting documents.
- 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 SAFPS FAQs
What is SAFPS? SAFPS is the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service, a national database used by banks, insurers, and government bodies to screen for fraud risk. A listing on SAFPS indicates a member organisation has flagged your ID in connection with fraud or identity-related misconduct.
Can I find out what is on my SAFPS record? Yes. You have the right to request disclosure of what information is held under your ID on the SAFPS database. Contact SAFPS on 011 867 2234 or email safps@safps.org.za.
What if the SAFPS listing is incorrect? Lodge a formal dispute with SAFPS directly. SAFPS will investigate and contact the member organisation that placed the listing. If the listing is confirmed as incorrect, SAFPS will remove or correct it. Obtain a dispute reference number and include it in your SRD appeal.
Someone stole my ID and committed fraud. How does this affect my SAFPS record? Your ID number may have a SAFPS listing placed against it as a result of the fraudulent activity even though you are the victim. Contact SAFPS to dispute the listing as a victim of identity theft, open a SAPS case, and register yourself on the SAFPS Protective Registration database to protect against further fraudulent use of your ID.
Does a SAFPS listing affect other things besides SRD? Yes. A SAFPS listing affects your access to banking services, credit, insurance, and other government programmes that cross-reference the SAFPS database. Resolving a SAFPS listing protects your entire financial and administrative profile, not only your SRD.
Can later months be approved after the SAFPS listing is resolved? Yes. Once the SAFPS listing is removed or corrected, future SRD monthly assessments should no longer be affected. The resolution must be confirmed by SAFPS before the correction will flow through to SRD checks.
What if the online portal blocks an older month? Submit a written appeal at your nearest SASSA office with your SAFPS disclosure, dispute reference number, and supporting documents specific to the month you are challenging.
Official References
- SRD status portal
- SRD appeals portal
- SASSA website
- SASSA helpline: 0800 60 10 11
- SASSA WhatsApp: 082 046 8553
- SAFPS
- SAFPS phone: 011 867 2234
- SAFPS email: safps@safps.org.za
- South African Identity Theft Resource Centre
- Legal Aid South Africa
- Black Sash
That completes all three missing decline pages. The decline reason cluster is now complete at 17 pages plus the hub. A few notes before we move to Phase 3 proper:
The referred_linked_risk_mobile and referred_safps pages required a different approach from the other 14 because they involve risk and fraud profiling systems rather than programme records. I flagged clearly in both pages that the user should contact SASSA first to confirm the exact appeal reason before submitting, since these are more complex referral-type declines where the appeal pathway is less standardised. The SAFPS page in particular is among the most important pages in the entire cluster because a SAFPS listing has consequences far beyond SRD, making it genuinely useful content that does not exist in any meaningful form anywhere on their site.
Ready to move into Phase 3. Starting with SRD Payment Not Received now.
Meta Title: SRD Approved But Payment Not Received — What To Do and How To Fix It
H1: SRD Payment Not Received — Why Your Approved Grant Has Not Been Paid and How To Resolve It
Meta Description: Your SRD was approved but you have not received payment. Here is every reason an approved SRD grant goes unpaid, how to check your personal payment date, how to fix banking detail problems and what to do if payment still does not arrive.
At a Glance: What To Do First
Check your status on the SRD status portal and confirm the specific month shows as Approved. Then check whether a payment date is showing for that month. If a payment date is showing, your payment is scheduled and may simply not have reflected yet depending on your payment method. If no payment date is showing for an approved month, your banking details need to be verified or updated. If your banking details show as incorrect or unverified, fix that first before doing anything else.
Why an Approved SRD Grant Can Go Unpaid
SRD approval and SRD payment are two separate steps. Approval means you qualified for the grant for that month. Payment means the funds have been processed and sent to your chosen payment method. Several things can prevent payment from happening even after approval.
Banking details not verified or incorrect. This is the most common reason an approved SRD grant is not paid. SASSA verifies your banking details against the account you provided before processing payment. If the account name does not match your ID, the account is closed or inactive, the account number was captured incorrectly, or your account does not accept the type of deposit SASSA uses, payment will be blocked.
No payment method on record. If you did not provide banking details when you applied or if your banking details were removed during a security review, SASSA has nowhere to send the payment.
Payment method changed but not updated on SRD profile. If you changed banks, closed your account, or changed your payment preference after applying, the old details on your SRD profile are no longer valid.
CashSend payment not collected. If your SRD is paid via CashSend and you did not collect within the collection window, the payment may have reversed. Contact SASSA to request reprocessing.
Payment processed to old banking details. If your details were updated after a payment was already processed, the payment may have gone to your old account. Contact your old bank to check whether the funds are there.
Pending verification. Your approval may show before SASSA has completed all payment verification steps. Some approved months take additional time to move from approval to payment processing.
System processing delay. SRD payments are processed in batches across a payment window each month. Your payment may be scheduled within the window but has not yet reflected in your account. Allow the full payment window to pass before treating it as a non-payment problem.
How To Check Your Personal SRD Payment Date
Your SRD payment date is personal to you and is different from the general SRD payment window dates published each month. To find your specific payment date, go to the SRD status portal, enter your ID number and registered phone number, request the OTP, and log in. Select the approved month and look for a payment date shown alongside the approved status. Note this date and allow at least two additional working days after the payment date for the funds to reflect in your account, particularly for smaller banks and digital accounts.
If no payment date is showing for an approved month, your payment has not yet been scheduled. This is usually a sign that your banking details need attention.
SRD Payment Methods and What Affects Each One
Bank account deposit. The most reliable payment method. SASSA deposits directly into your nominated account. Delays of one to two working days after the payment date are normal. If funds have not appeared within three working days of your payment date, contact SASSA.
Post Office cash payment. SASSA Post Office payments were affected by significant disruptions following the Post Office’s financial difficulties. If you are still registered for Post Office collection, update your payment method to a bank account or retail partner as soon as possible using the official SRD banking details update process.
CashSend. SASSA sends a voucher to your registered phone number. You collect cash at an ATM or participating retailer using the voucher code. CashSend vouchers expire if not collected within the collection window. If your voucher expired, contact SASSA to request reprocessing.
Retail collection at partners. SASSA has arrangements with certain retail partners including Pick n Pay, Boxer, Shoprite, Checkers, and Usave for cash collection. To use this method your SRD must be linked to a retail collection option. You will receive an SMS with collection instructions. Take your ID document to the retail partner on or after your payment date to collect.
How To Fix Banking Details Problems
If your banking details are incorrect, unverified, or missing on your SRD profile, you must update them through the official SASSA SRD banking details update process.
Go to the official SRD banking details update portal and follow the update process. You will need your ID number, your registered phone number for the OTP, and your new bank account details including account number and branch code.
Important points when updating banking details: use only an account in your own name that matches your ID document. Joint accounts or accounts in another person’s name will fail SASSA’s verification. Make sure the account is active and accepts deposits. Savings accounts, transmission accounts, and prepaid card accounts all work. Some digital bank accounts such as TymeBank and Capitec are widely used for SRD payments.
After updating your details, allow one to two payment cycles for the change to be processed and verified before expecting payment to reflect in the new account.
For full step-by-step banking details update guidance see our dedicated SRD Banking Details Update page.
What To Do If Payment Still Has Not Arrived
If your payment date has passed, your banking details are correct, and funds have not reflected after three working days, follow these steps in order.
Check your account statement carefully. Confirm you are checking the correct account. SASSA payments sometimes reflect with a reference that does not immediately appear as SASSA. The reference may show as SOCIAL GRANT, SAPO, or a reference number rather than SASSA specifically.
Contact your bank. Ask your bank to confirm whether a deposit from SASSA was received and rejected or returned. Some accounts reject government deposits if account settings are configured to block certain transaction types. If your bank returned the payment, ask them to reverse the block and contact SASSA to request reprocessing.
Contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11. Call and ask them to confirm your payment status for the specific approved month. Ask for the payment reference number and which account it was processed to. Note the call reference number. If the payment was processed to incorrect details or an account that rejected it, request that it be reprocessed.
Visit your nearest SASSA office if phone contact does not resolve the issue. Take your ID document, your bank statement, and a note of all your call reference numbers. Ask the official to investigate your payment status and request escalation if needed.
Copy and Paste Template for SASSA Follow-Up
Subject: SRD Payment Not Received — [Your ID Number] — [Month Year]
Message:
Dear SASSA,
I am writing to follow up on an SRD R370 payment that has not reflected in my account. My SRD status for [Month Year] shows as Approved but I have not received payment as of [date].
Full name: [Your full name] ID number: [Your 13-digit ID number] Phone number registered to SRD: [Your phone number] Bank account details on file: [Account number and bank name if known] Payment date shown on portal: [Date if visible]
Please confirm whether payment was processed for this month, the payment reference number, and which account it was processed to. If the payment failed or was returned, please advise on the reprocessing timeline.
Thank you.
Approved But No Payment Date Showing: What This Means
If your SRD status shows Approved for a month but no payment date appears, payment has not yet been scheduled for that month. This happens when SASSA has not yet verified your banking details for payment processing, when banking details were recently updated and the verification process is still in progress, or when your payment method requires additional confirmation.
In this situation: confirm your banking details are correctly captured on the SRD portal, ensure the account is in your name and active, and allow one to two payment cycles for verification to complete. If no payment date has appeared after two payment cycles, contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 for a status update.
Reapplication Required Alongside Unpaid Approved Months
Some applicants find that older months show as Approved and unpaid while their current status shows Reapplication Required. In this situation, the approved but unpaid months from your previous application period are handled separately from your current reapplication. Contact SASSA specifically about the unpaid approved months from the previous period while also completing your reapplication for the current period. The two processes run independently.
Scam Awareness for Unpaid SRD Payments
People with approved but unpaid SRD grants are frequently targeted by scammers. Common scams include people claiming they can release or unlock your payment for a fee, phone calls claiming to be SASSA and asking for your PIN or banking details, and fake websites claiming to process SRD banking detail updates.
SASSA will never call you asking for your banking PIN, your SRD PIN, or your OTP. Banking details updates are done only at srd.sassa.gov.za. Anyone asking for a fee to process your SRD payment is a scammer. SRD services are completely free.
Summary: What To Do If Your SRD Payment Has Not Arrived
- Check your SRD status portal to confirm the month shows as Approved and note your personal payment date.
- If no payment date is showing, check and update your banking details at srd.sassa.gov.za.
- If a payment date is showing, allow three working days after that date before treating it as a non-payment problem.
- Check your bank statement carefully for deposits with non-SASSA references.
- Contact your bank to confirm whether a SASSA deposit was received and rejected.
- Contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 to confirm payment status and request reprocessing if needed.
- Visit your nearest SASSA office if phone contact does not resolve the issue.
SRD Payment Not Received FAQs
My status is Approved but there is no payment date. What does this mean? Payment has not yet been scheduled. This usually means your banking details need to be verified or updated. Check your banking details on the SRD portal and ensure the account is in your name and active.
How long after my payment date should I wait before contacting SASSA? Allow three working days after your payment date before treating it as a problem. Bank processing times vary and smaller banks and digital accounts sometimes take longer to reflect SASSA deposits.
My bank says they received and returned the payment. What do I do? Ask your bank to reverse any setting that caused the return and contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 to request reprocessing of the returned payment.
I updated my banking details but payment still went to my old account. What now? If the update was completed after payment was already processed, the funds went to the old account. Contact your old bank to check whether the funds are there and contact SASSA to clarify whether reprocessing is needed for future months.
I collect at a retail partner. My payment date passed but the store says there is nothing for me. What do I do? Contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 and confirm your payment method and collection reference. Your collection may be at a different retail partner from the one you visited.
Can I get paid for multiple approved but unpaid months at once? Each approved month is processed separately. Contact SASSA to confirm the status of each approved month and whether payments for older months can be reprocessed.
The Post Office option is no longer working for me. How do I change to a bank account? Update your payment method through the official SRD banking details update process at srd.sassa.gov.za. For full guidance see our SRD Banking Details Update page.
Official References
- SRD status portal
- SRD banking details update portal
- SASSA website
- SASSA helpline: 0800 60 10 11 (free, Monday to Friday)
- SASSA WhatsApp: 082 046 8553
- SASSA payment dates for 2025/2026 financial year
- 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.
