What to Do If SASSA Status Shows “IRP5 Registered”?

Imagine checking your SASSA status, expecting good news, but instead, you see the message “IRP5 Registered.” Confused? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many South Africans face this message without knowing what it means or what to do next. 

It can feel like hitting a wall when you’re relying on social assistance, but understanding this status is the first step to resolving it. This message relates to your tax information and can impact your SASSA payments. 

But don’t panic. In this guide, I will explain why your SASSA status shows “IRP5 Registered” and walk you through the steps to fix it. Stay with me, and you’ll have clear answers and practical solutions.

What Does IRP5 Registered Mean?

IRP5 Registered is a status message that appears on your SASSA SRD grant application. It indicates that the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has recorded you as having an IRP5 certificate, which means you are registered as an employed individual receiving income from an employer.

An IRP5 is an employee tax certificate issued by an employer to an employee. It details your income, deductions, and tax paid. If you have an IRP5 registered with SARS, it means your employer has declared your earnings, and you are considered employed in the tax system. This is where the problem begins for SASSA SRD applicants.

The SASSA SRD grant is specifically for unemployed individuals who are struggling financially. If SASSA detects that you have an IRP5 record, they may assume you are employed and therefore not eligible for the SRD grant. This can result in your application being declined or your payments being stopped.

However, there are cases where this status appears due to outdated tax records, administrative errors, or even when you were previously employed but are now unemployed. In such situations, you must take steps to clear this status, update your records, and provide proof of your current unemployment status to SASSA.

How to Fix “IRP5 Registered”?

If your SASSA SRD status shows “IRP5 Registered,” it means SARS has recorded you as an employee. This can block your SRD grant because SASSA grants are for unemployed individuals. But if you are not employed and no longer earning an income, you can fix this problem. Follow this guide to correct your status and restore your SRD grant.

Step 1: Check Your Employment Status with SARS

• Visit the SARS website or use the SARS eFiling platform.
• Log in with your details.
• Go to your profile and check your employment status.
• You cannot cancel an IRP5 yourself. If the IRP5 is wrong, ask the employer who submitted it to correct their declaration to SARS. If it is correct but old, nothing needs cancelling — you only need proof that the job has ended.

Step 2: Cancel Your IRP5 Certificate (If Not Employed)

• Contact your previous employer and request that they cancel your IRP5 record if they mistakenly listed you as employed.
• If they do not cooperate, contact SARS for assistance.
• Provide proof of your unemployment status, such as a letter of termination or a sworn affidavit.

Step 3: Lodge an SRD Appeal

Lodge your appeal first. You have 30 days, and no more than 90 days, from the day SASSA rejected you. Do not wait for SARS to finish. Start the appeal now and keep fixing your SARS record at the same time. Follow this process:

• Visit the Appeal website
  • Go to the official DSD appeal website at https://srd.dsd.gov.za/appeals/ (opens in a new tab).
• Read Terms and Conditions
  • Read the instructions carefully to understand the appeal process.
• Click on “Lodge an Appeal”
  • Find the “Lodge an Appeal” button and click it.
• Enter Your Details
  • Provide your South African ID number and the phone number you used for the SRD application.
• Verify Your Identity
  • Click “Send PIN.” A one-time PIN will be sent to your phone. Enter this PIN on the website.
• Fill Out the Appeal Form
  • Enter your full name, surname, ID number, and email address.
• Select the Appeal Reason
  • Choose your reason for appeal. For example:
    • UIF Registered
    • Identity Verification Failed
    • IRP5 Registered
• Submit the Appeal
  • Click “Submit” after completing the form. You will see a confirmation message.

Step 4: Monitor Your Appeal Status

The final step is to track your SRD appeal status. You need to visit the same SRD appeal portal where you lodged your appeal. However, this time you need to check the appeal status.

1. Go to srd.dsd.gov.za/appeals (opens in a new tab)
2. Now, click on the “Check Appeal Status” button.
3. Enter your South African ID number in the first blank space.
4. Now you need to enter your phone number in the second blank space.
5. Hit the “check status” button to get the status of your appeal application.

F.A.Q

Can I receive an SRD grant if I am a part-time worker?

You can still qualify as a part-time worker if you earn less than R624 a month. The grant is also open to asylum seekers and special permit holders, not only citizens.

What should I do if I was employed but am now unemployed for SRD eligibility?

Update your employment status with SARS and provide proof of unemployment to SASSA.

Why does SASSA use SARS information for SRD grants?

SASSA uses SARS data to verify if applicants have any income or employment. The SRD grant is only for those who are vulnerable and can not earn to live a good life.

Can I reapply for the SRD grant after fixing my IRP5 status?

Appeal. Each month you were declined needs its own appeal at srd.dsd.gov.za/appeals, so if IRP5 Registered blocked you for three months, lodge three appeals. Once your SARS record is fixed, SASSA’s monthly check should clear you going forward on its own.

What should I do if my previous employer refuses to cancel my IRP5?

Phone SARS on 0800 00 7277 and open a dispute about the IRP5. A SASSA office cannot change a SARS record, so do not queue there for this.

Does having a business affect my SRD grant eligibility?

Business income counts as income. If your total income from all sources is R624 or more a month, you do not qualify.

How long does it take for SASSA to process an appeal?

SASSA does not decide your appeal. The Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals (ITSAA) does, and it has 60 to 90 days from the day it receives your appeal.