"Post Office not selected" - what it means and how to fix it

Updated on 30 April 2026

If your SASSA SRD status shows the message "Post Office not selected" next to one of your months, it does not mean you were declined. It means SASSA has approved the R370 for that month - but the money is sitting in your account on their side waiting for you to choose how you want to be paid.

Why this message exists (legacy wording)

Earlier in the SRD programme, recipients could collect cash at the Post Office. That option was discontinued, but the system message kept the old "Post Office" wording. Today the message effectively means: "You have not selected a payment method for this approved month." The fix is the same as updating your banking details.

How to fix it - step by step

1. Open srd.sassa.gov.za in any browser.
2. Click "How do you want to be paid?" or "Update Banking Details".
3. Enter your 13-digit ID number and your registered cellphone number.
4. Verify with the OTP sent to your phone.
5. Choose your payment method:
   • Bank account (recommended): capture your bank, account number, and account holder details. The account must be in your name.
   • Cash Send (collection at retailer): select this only if you do not have a bank account. You will receive an SMS reference for collection.
6. Submit and save the reference number.

For step-by-step screenshots and bank-specific notes, see our full SRD banking guide.

What happens to the money in the meantime?

SASSA holds the approved R370 for that month until you select a payment method. There is no firm deadline that forfeits the money in the standard SRD rules, but in practice:

• Once you select a method, payment typically flows within 1 to 2 payment cycles.
• If you have not selected a method for several months, your account may be flagged for manual review. Call 0800 60 10 11 to release older held amounts.
• If your status was approved 6+ months ago and the money has not been claimed, treat it as urgent - contact SASSA so the funds are not de-allocated administratively.

Common gotchas

• Account must be in your name. SASSA cannot pay into a relative's or friend's account. The account holder name must match your ID exactly. If you tried with someone else's account, the payment will keep failing and the message persists.
• OTP must reach the registered cellphone. If you no longer have access to that number, you have to do the SRD phone-number change first - this can take a few days.
• Some banks are slower than others. If you switched recently, the new account may need 1-2 days to register on SASSA's side before payment is released.
• Old Postbank/SASSA card recipients: if you used to collect at the Post Office or via the older SASSA card, you may need to capture a fresh bank account (or an account opened with Postbank itself) to clear the message.

Will I be paid the back-dated months?

Yes. Once your payment method is captured and verified, SASSA processes the held amounts for any approved months. If multiple months were held, they are usually paid out together. Confirm via your bank app or by calling 0800 60 10 11.

FAQ

What does "Post Office not selected" mean on SASSA?

SASSA has approved you for that month but you have not chosen a payment method. The status uses old wording from the earlier Post Office payment days; today it just means "select a payment method".

How do I fix "Post Office not selected"?

Log in to srd.sassa.gov.za, choose to update your banking details, enter your bank-account information (account in your own name) or pick cash collection. Confirm with OTP.

Will I lose the money if I don't fix this?

SASSA holds the approved amount until you select a method. After several months without selection, contact SASSA to release older held funds.

Can I collect at the Post Office?

Not anymore. The Post Office is no longer an SRD payment channel. The message wording is legacy text. Choose a bank account or cash collection at participating retailers instead.

How long until I'm paid after I fix it?

Typically 1 to 2 payment cycles. See our timeline guide for full SASSA processing times.

Related SASSA pages

• All SRD declined reasons
• SRD declined - main guide
• Update SRD banking details
• Change SRD phone number
• How long does each SASSA step take?
• Check your SRD status