Lost Your SIM Card? Here’s How to Recover Your SASSA Services

October 7, 2024 by Denver Ivan

Its very common among beneficiaries to lost their sim card or phone number attached with SASSA account, but the good thing is that it have solutions.

In this post, I will be discussing about possible solutions to this common problem of losing sim card that is registered with Sassa Services.

This problem can have two possible solutions and these are very easy to perform, you don’t have to visit Sassa for this. You can deal with this problem either by completing changing your number or by reporting about the lost SIM card and recovering it later.

Let’s see each solution one by one in step.

Change Phone Number

Here are complete steps you can follow to change online, but if you’re not okay with this you cana lso visit any nearest SASSA office and ask your problem to representative.

Contact SASSA using officia Email Address: You can email SASSA’s service team using this email grantenquiries@sassa.gov.za and simply ask in your email that you want to change your number with the reason why.

Your full name
Your ID number
The old phone number currently on your SASSA profile
Your new phone number
A brief explanation as to why you need to update the number (e.g., lost SIM card, changed phone provider)

Ensure that your email is clear and to the point, and attach a scanned copy of your SASSA ID card for verification purposes.

Use the SASSA WhatsApp Line: if you are new you may not know that SASSA has also introduced a WhatsApp service to handle certain grant-related inquiries. You can contact them using this number 082 046 8553. Use this platform to ask for assistance in updating your phone number. An official SASSA representative may guide you on how to proceed or schedule a follow-up for verification.

Call the SASSA Helpline: Another possible way to change your phone number is by calling the SASSA toll-free number 0800 60 10 11. You will be required to verify your identity before any official changes are made to your profile.

Update through GovChat: You may also try using the GovChat newly introduced platform under teh supervision of ZA government, which partners with SASSA for grant inquiries. Though primarily for Sassa status checks, you may inquire about updating your phone number there. For more information you can check the sassacheck.net.za website.

Recover SIM Card

This process can be followed as the traditional way of recovering a lost sim card by simply calling to the provider company of your sim card and requesting to block the old sim card which is lost and issue a new one for you. Here are the steps.

As you figure out that your sim card is now lost, reach out to your network provider (such as Vodacom, MTN, Telkom, or Cell C). Most network providers have customer care hotlines that you can call to report the issue. It’s important to block your old SIM to prevent unauthorized use.

You must the following things when contacting to your service provider::

Present your ID number
Your phone number linked to the lost SIM
Some providers may ask you to verify recent usage details, such as your last call or data transaction.

2. SIM Replacement:

After reporting your lost SIM card, you will need to get a replacement. This can usually be done at your network provider’s retail store. When visiting, bring your original or copy of ID card with you for verification purposes, as many network providers require proof of identity to issue a new SIM card.

At the store, you will be issued a new SIM card, which will retain your old phone number. This ensures that you can continue using services like WhatsApp, banking notifications, or SASSA messages.

3. Activate Your New SIM Card:

Once you’ve received your new SIM card, your network provider will activate it within a few hours or in a day. Some providers may even offer immediate activation. After activation, you will have full access to your previous phone number and all the services tied to it.

4. Update Important Contacts:

While your phone number remains the same, you should notify important contacts or services, like your bank or government agencies, about your SIM replacement to ensure smooth service continuity.

Notice: changing your phone number by SASSA and getting your new sim card with the same number from network provider are two different and mandatory things you must follow to continue using the services of SASSA.

Conclusion

Either you choose to change the number by physically visiting the SASSA office or by online, both are convenient, as offline changing the number by visiting the office is traditional and doesn’t need any specific steps to follow. The convenient way in our opinion is to change online.