SASSA Status: 'Referred' — What It Means & How to Get Unstuck
'Referred' means your application is being manually reviewed. Learn why this happens, how long it takes, and what you can do.
What This Status Means
'Referred' means your application did not pass the automated checks and has been referred for manual review by a SASSA official. This is not a decline — it simply means a human being needs to look at your application because the system found something that requires human judgment. This status often leads to either approval or decline after the manual review is complete.
Why It Happens
There is a mismatch between your application data and government databases
Your income is borderline relative to the R624 threshold
Your bank account has irregular deposits that need human assessment
Your ID or personal details triggered a manual review flag
There is a potential duplicate application linked to your ID
What To Do
Wait for the Review
Manual review is conducted by SASSA officials. There is nothing you can do to speed this up.
Do Not Reapply
Reapplying will not help and may create additional confusion.
Check for SMS Updates
SASSA will notify you when the review is complete and your status has changed.
Contact SASSA After 30 Days
If the status remains 'Referred' for more than 30 days, call the helpline to follow up.
How Long It Takes
Manual review takes 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the complexity of your case and the current workload at your regional SASSA office.
Who To Contact
SASSA Helpline
0800 60 10 11
Your Local SASSA Office
Visit our offices page
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Editorial note: SASSA Help Hub is an independent, unofficial information resource and is not affiliated with the South African Social Security Agency. This page was last reviewed on 2026-07-08 by Themba Phakathi. See our Editorial Policy, Fact-Checking Policy, and Sources Policy. Found an error? Report it.