Thousands of SASSA beneficiaries across South Africa are receiving SMS and WhatsApp notifications asking them to complete something called e-Life Certification — and many do not know what to do next.
Some people are getting errors on the portal. Others think the notification is a scam. And some are simply ignoring it, not realising that ignoring it could get their grant suspended.
This guide explains exactly what e-Life Certification is, who needs to do it, how to complete it step by step, what the error screens mean, and what happens if you miss the deadline.
What Is SASSA e-Life Certification?
e-Life Certification is a digital way for SASSA to confirm that a grant beneficiary is still alive and still eligible — without requiring you to travel to a SASSA office.
It is a legal requirement under the Social Assistance Act. It does not change your grant amount and it is not a new application. It is simply SASSA verifying that the right person is still receiving the right grant.
The verification uses a system called eKYC (electronic Know Your Client). It works by scanning your face through your phone or computer camera and comparing it against Home Affairs records. Once it matches, SASSA can confirm your eligibility and your payments continue without interruption.
SASSA introduced e-Life Certification as part of a wider move to reduce fraud, cut down long queues at offices, and modernise the grants system.
⚠️ Is this a scam? No — but scammers do exist. Only complete e-Life Certification at the official SASSA Services Portal: services.sassa.gov.za. Never click a link sent by a stranger or share your PIN with anyone. Learn more about how to spot and report SASSA scams.
Who Needs to Complete e-Life Certification?
This is where most people get confused. e-Life Certification is not only for pensioners or Older Persons Grant recipients.
SASSA has confirmed that it can apply to any beneficiary they flag for verification, regardless of which grant you receive or how old you are. This includes:
- Older Persons Grant recipients
- Disability Grant recipients
- Child Support Grant caregivers
- Care Dependency Grant recipients
- SRD R370 grant recipients
- Any other beneficiary SASSA selects for verification
You will only be required to complete it if SASSA has specifically flagged your account. When that happens, you will receive a notification by SMS, WhatsApp, or email.
Once you receive that notification, you must act within the timeframe SASSA gives you. Waiting or ignoring the message is treated as non-compliance.
Beneficiaries who have not been flagged are also encouraged to complete e-Life Certification voluntarily once a year through the portal.
Before You Start: Make Sure Your Contact Details Are Correct
If SASSA has an old phone number or email address for you, you may never receive the notification — and your grant could be suspended without you knowing why.
If you need to update your cellphone number, see our guide: How to change your SASSA SRD grant phone number.
If you need to change your banking details, see: How to change your payment method for your SASSA SRD grant.
How to Complete SASSA e-Life Certification Online — Step by Step
What you need:
- A smartphone or computer
- A stable internet connection
- A working front-facing camera
- Your South African ID number and registered contact details
Step 1: Go to the Official SASSA Services Portal
Visit services.sassa.gov.za.
Do not use any other website. This is the only official platform for e-Life Certification.
Step 2: Log In or Register
If you already have an account, log in with your existing credentials.
If you are a first-time user, select "Register a New Account" and follow the prompts. You will need your South African ID number and the contact details SASSA has on file for you.
Step 3: Select e-Life Certification
Once logged in, find the e-Life Certification option on your dashboard and select it to begin.
Step 4: Complete the Face Scan (Liveness Validation)
This is the most important step. The portal will open an eKYC Facial Verification window called "Liveness Validation."
Follow these two steps on screen:
- Prepare — Position your face in the centre of the camera frame. Make sure your face is fully visible and nothing is covering it.
- Capture — Hold completely still while the screen flashes and scans your face. Do not move or look away.
Tips for a successful scan:
- Do the scan in a well-lit room, facing a light source directly
- Avoid dark rooms or strong light coming from behind you
- Hold your phone or device steady with both hands
- When your browser asks for camera access, select "Allow"
Step 5: Wait for Confirmation
After submitting your face scan, the portal will show a screen that reads: "Facial Verification is in Progress."
See the section below — this is normal and does not mean the scan failed.
Error Screens Explained — What They Mean and What to Do
"Facial Verification is in Progress"
This is the most misunderstood screen. Many people panic when they see this, but it is completely normal.
It means your face scan was submitted successfully and SASSA is processing the verification in the background. The portal may also tell you that you cannot log in during this waiting period — that is intentional.
You do not need to redo the process. You do not need to visit a SASSA office.
Simply wait for an SMS or email confirming your verification result. Allow a few days before following up.
"Application 101 Dialog page 9998 cannot be rendered successfully"
This was a known technical glitch in the SASSA portal that prevented the eKYC screen from loading. On 10 April 2026, SASSA issued an official statement acknowledging the problem and confirmed the system had been fixed.
If you saw this error before and could not complete your certification, return to the portal and try again now. The system has been restored.
If the error still appears, contact SASSA directly using the contact details at the bottom of this page.
"Loading Components" — Face Scan Stuck and Won't Start
If the Liveness Validation screen loads but the button stays on "Loading components" and the camera never starts, it is almost always caused by a slow or unstable internet connection.
What to do:
- Switch to Wi-Fi if you are on mobile data
- Move to an area with a stronger signal
- Close all other apps and browser tabs
- Reload the portal from scratch
- Avoid trying during peak network hours
Face Scan Keeps Failing
If the scan loads but keeps failing after the capture step, the most common causes are poor lighting, moving during the scan, or your face not being centred properly.
What to do:
- Find a brighter room and face the light source directly
- Centre your face squarely in the frame before the capture starts
- Hold completely still when the screen flashes
- After several failed attempts in good conditions, visit your nearest SASSA office for assisted verification
What Happens If You Don't Complete e-Life Certification?
SASSA has been direct about the consequences:
- Your grant payment may be delayed
- Continued non-compliance can lead to your grant being suspended
- If your grant lapses due to prolonged non-compliance, you may need to reapply from scratch — a process that can take weeks or months
SASSA treats the absence of life certification as a possible indication that the beneficiary is deceased or no longer eligible.
If your grant has already been delayed or suspended, see our guide on SASSA delayed grant payments for next steps.
If your SRD grant shows an unexpected status after this process, check our full breakdown of all SRD statuses explained to understand what it means and what to do.
Cannot Complete It Online? Here's What to Do
Not everyone has reliable internet or a compatible device. If you cannot complete e-Life Certification through the online portal, contact SASSA through these official channels:
| Channel | Details |
|---|---|
| Toll-free helpline | 0800 60 10 11 |
| 082 054 0016 | |
| [email protected] | |
| Nearest SASSA office | Walk in during operating hours for assisted verification |
For a full list of SASSA contact numbers by province and region, see: Contact numbers of SASSA in your area.
It is worth calling ahead before visiting an office to confirm what documents to bring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does e-Life Certification affect my grant amount? No. It only verifies your continued eligibility. Your grant amount stays the same.
I completed the face scan but nothing has happened. Did it work? If you reached the "Facial Verification is in Progress" screen, your scan was submitted. Wait for an SMS or email from SASSA. Give it a few days before following up.
I didn't get any notification. Do I still need to do it? Only if SASSA has flagged your account. If you haven't received a notification, you are not currently required to complete it. However, it is good practice to check your contact details are up to date with SASSA so you don't miss a future notification.
Is the e-Life portal safe to use? Yes — but only the official one at services.sassa.gov.za. Be cautious of any other site claiming to offer e-Life Certification. See our guide on SASSA scams to avoid for more.
Can I appeal if my grant was suspended because I missed the deadline? Yes. See our step-by-step guide on how to submit a SASSA SRD appeal.
Summary: What to Do Right Now
- Check your phone and email for any SASSA notification about e-Life Certification
- Update your contact details with SASSA if your number or email has changed
- Go to services.sassa.gov.za if you have been notified
- Complete the face scan in a well-lit room with a stable connection
- Wait for your SMS or email — do not redo the process if you reached the "in progress" screen
- Contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 if you encounter errors you cannot resolve
If you are waiting on your SRD grant status after completing e-Life Certification, you can also check our guide on what to do if your SRD grant is approved but not yet paid.