How do I know if my appeal is approved?

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) provides financial support to millions of South Africans annually.

However, there are times when applications for grants are declined.

If you find yourself in this situation, appealing the decision is your right.

Checking Your SASSA Appeal Status

These are several ways to determine the outcome of your SASSA appeal:

Contact Your Appeals Officer: Your appeal will be assigned to a dedicated Appeals Officer at SASSA. They will be your primary point of contact for updates on the status of your appeal. You can reach your Appeals Officer by phone or email using the contact details provided in the appeal acknowledgement letter you received from SASSA.
Visit Your Local SASSA Office: Visiting your nearest SASSA office can be a viable option, especially if you haven’t received a response within a reasonable timeframe. While a local office may not have immediate access to your specific appeal details, they can guide you on the appropriate course of action or connect you with the relevant personnel.
Track Your Appeal Online (if applicable): In some instances, SASSA may offer online appeal status tracking. This functionality, if available, will likely be accessible through the SASSA website or a dedicated appeals portal. Be on the lookout for any notifications or updates you might receive via email or SMS after submitting your appeal.

Unfortunately, there’s no guaranteed timeframe for SASSA appeal decisions.

The processing time can vary depending on the complexity of your case and the current workload at SASSA.

However, it’s generally recommended to allow at least 90 days for a response.

There are several ways to get in touch with SASSA regarding your appeal:

National SASSA Contact Centre: You can call the SASSA National Contact Centre at 0860 601 060 from Monday to Friday between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
Email: You can send an email inquiry to [email protected].
Local SASSA Office: Visit your nearest SASSA office and speak to a service representative. While they may not have immediate access to your appeal details, they can guide you towards the appropriate department or personnel who can assist you.

If your SASSA appeal is successful, you’ll be notified through one of the following methods: phone call, in-person notification, or online update.

The notification will normally include details on receiving any backdated payments you may be entitled to.

Here’s what you can expect upon a successful appeal:

Reinstatement of Benefits: You’ll start receiving your SASSA grant payments again, usually starting from the date your original application was declined.
Backdated Payments: In some cases, you may be eligible for backdated payments covering the period between your initial application decline and the approval of your appeal.

It’s essential to keep an eye on your bank statements or SASSA card to ensure you receive the correct amount of backdated payments (if applicable).

If your SASSA appeal is denied, you’ll receive a formal notification outlining the reasons for the decision.

This notification will also explain your right to further appeal the decision to the Independent Tribunal for Social Security Appeals (ITSSA).

The ITSSA is a separate entity from SASSA and operates independently in reviewing contested social security decisions.

Yes, you have the right to appeal a denied SASSA appeal decision to the Independent Tribunal for Social Security Appeals (ITSSA).

Strict timeframes apply for lodging an appeal with the ITSSA, so it’s wise to act promptly if you choose to pursue this route.

The ITSSA website provides detailed information on the appeals process, including downloadable application forms and guidelines.

SASSA doesn’t currently offer a dedicated online portal for appeal status tracking but this functionality may be introduced in the future.

It’s recommended to keep an eye on the SASSA website for any updates or announcements regarding online appeal tracking.