Last checked: 26 June 2026
Quick Answer
There is no single verified USSD code for all government services without data South Africa. Some public services have official USSD, SMS, call-centre, app, or branch routes, but each service must be checked separately before you dial a code or share personal information.
The main verified examples are:
| Public service | Verified no-data or low-data route | What it can help with |
|---|---|---|
| SARS | *134*7277# | Selected personal income tax services, including tax number, balance, and return-status options |
| UIF | *134*843# | UIF status checks and UIF menu options |
| SASSA SRD | Official SRD website and SASSA support routes | SRD application and status support |
| Home Affairs | Official DHA online services, branch, and contact centre | ID, passport, and Home Affairs support |
SARS confirms that its USSD channel is *134*7277#, and says users can access certain mobile tax services with or without data or airtime. (South African Revenue Service) The Department of Employment and Labour confirms the UIF USSD platform as *134*843#. (Department of Labour) For SASSA and Home Affairs, use official websites, service portals, branches, or verified contact-centre routes unless an official source confirms a current USSD option.
Current Verified Status
Government services without data South Africa should be treated as a service-by-service issue, not one universal code. A code that works for SARS will not help with SASSA. A UIF USSD menu will not check a passport. A Home Affairs contact number will not resolve a tax refund.
At the time of checking, the verified status is:
SARS: SARS lists *134*7277# as its USSD channel. After dialling, the user sees a menu of tax services, selects the required option, and SARS may request an ID, passport, or asylum number for verification. (South African Revenue Service) SARS also says taxpayers can send an SMS to 47277 for certain personal income tax services, and that these services can be accessed with or without data or airtime. (South African Revenue Service)
UIF: The Department of Employment and Labour says clients can dial *134*843# on any mobile phone to open a UIF menu for status checks. (Department of Labour) The Department also lists the same USSD channel on its contact information pages. (Department of Labour)
SASSA SRD: The official SRD site provides online application, application-status, e-KYC, mobile-number-change, banking-detail, and appeal routes. The official status page asks for the applicant’s South African ID number and the phone number used to submit the application. (SASSA) This page should not claim a SASSA SRD USSD option unless SASSA confirms that route on an official page.
Home Affairs: Home Affairs provides online and contact-centre support routes. The official eHomeAffairs contact page lists the Home Affairs Contact Centre email as [email protected] and the phone number as 0800 601 190. (Ehome) The official DHA status page also lists a toll-free hotline for Home Affairs status support. (Department of Home Affairs)
Use this page as a safe starting point. For the exact next step, go to the relevant guide: SARS USSD code, UIF USSD code, public service USSD codes, or South African government service numbers.
How to Use the Service
Start by identifying the department you need. Do not search for a general “government services without data South Africa” code and trust the first number you see. Fake support pages often copy government names, publish unofficial WhatsApp numbers, or ask users to “verify” details through unsafe forms.
Use this safer process:
- Choose the correct service. Decide whether you need SARS, UIF, SASSA, Home Affairs, a municipality, a traffic department, or another public body.
- Check the official route. Look for the code, number, app, branch, or portal on an official government or department source.
- Use the exact verified code only. Do not change digits, add extra menu strings, or follow a code from a forwarded message.
- Read the menu before replying. A legitimate menu should match the department and service you expected.
- Stop if the menu looks wrong. Do not continue if it asks for a bank PIN, card number, OTP, online banking password, or unrelated payment.
- Use an official alternative if USSD fails. A failed USSD session does not mean you should try random codes from social media.
For SARS, dial *134*7277#, select the tax service you need, and complete the SARS verification step if prompted. SARS says it may request an ID, passport, or asylum number before displaying a response on the device. (South African Revenue Service)
For UIF, dial *134*843# and follow the UIF menu. The Department of Employment and Labour says this opens a menu with several options for UIF status checks. (Department of Labour)
For SASSA SRD, use the official SRD status route if you have data or access to a connected device. The official SRD status page requires the applicant’s South African ID number and the phone number used to submit the application. (SASSA)
For Home Affairs, use the official DHA online services, DHA status page, branch, or contact centre. The official eHomeAffairs contact page lists 0800 601 190 and [email protected] for contact-centre help. (Ehome)
Documents, Eligibility, or Reference Numbers Needed
The information you need depends on the department. Prepare only what is relevant to the service you are using, and only enter it through a verified channel.
For SARS, you may need your South African ID number, passport number, or asylum number. SARS says its USSD process can request these details for taxpayer verification. (South African Revenue Service)
For UIF, prepare your ID number or passport number, UIF reference number if you have one, claim details, and employer information. The UIF Online platform uses fields such as UIF reference number, CK number, and ID or passport number in its online workflows. (UIF Online)
For SASSA SRD, prepare the applicant’s South African ID number and the cellphone number used when submitting the application. These are the fields shown on the official SRD status page. (SASSA)
For Home Affairs, prepare your ID number, application reference if you have one, passport or ID application details, and branch or appointment information. If the issue cannot be resolved online, contact the Home Affairs Contact Centre through the official number or email address. (Ehome)
Never share your banking PIN, card CVV, OTP, SASSA card PIN, online banking password, eFiling password, or full ID document copy through an unofficial WhatsApp number, SMS link, social media inbox, or unknown email address.
Official Alternatives if USSD Is Not Available
If a USSD route is unavailable, slow, or does not match the official menu, stop and use a safer alternative.
For SARS, use SARS eFiling, the SARS MobiApp, SARS SMS services, SARS WhatsApp where listed by SARS, the SARS Online Query System, or a booked SARS branch appointment. SARS lists mobile tax services including USSD, SMS, and WhatsApp routes, and its March 2026 tax digest also lists SARS eFiling, MobiApp, WhatsApp, USSD, and the SARS Online Query System as support options. (South African Revenue Service)
For UIF, use uFiling, UIF Online, the UIF app, or the Department of Employment and Labour support channels. The Department says UIF USSD is available through *134*843#, and its contact page lists the USSD channel as an official support route. (Department of Labour) uFiling describes itself as a free online service for UIF declarations and payments. (Unemployment Insurance Fund)
For SASSA, use the official SRD website, SASSA Services Portal, nearest SASSA office, or the official SASSA grant and fraud hotline. The SASSA Services Portal lists 0800 60 10 11 for grant information, qualifying rules, pay-out dates, district office details, application help, and fraud reporting. (SASSA Services Portal)
For Home Affairs, use eHomeAffairs, My Home Affairs Online, a DHA branch, or the Home Affairs Contact Centre. The official eHomeAffairs contact page lists 0800 601 190 and [email protected]. (Ehome)
For general government contacts, use the official Gov.za contact directory. Gov.za says the directory covers contact information for national, provincial and local departments, state-owned entities, foreign representatives in South Africa, and other public institutions. (Government of South Africa)
Public-Service Safety and Scam Warnings
Scammers target people looking for public services without internet because USSD, SMS, and WhatsApp can feel quick and official. Treat every code, message, link, and support number as unverified until it appears on an official department source.
A message or menu is suspicious if it:
- asks for your bank PIN, OTP, CVV, online banking password, or eFiling password;
- promises instant grant approval, tax refunds, UIF payments, or Home Affairs documents;
- asks for a “release fee” before a grant, refund, claim, or appointment;
- uses a shortened link or a website that does not belong to the official department;
- comes from an unknown cellphone number claiming to be “government support”;
- pressures you to act immediately or says your account will be blocked;
- asks you to send ID documents or bank statements to an unofficial WhatsApp number.
SARS warns that phishing scams can use fake emails, SMS messages, false forms, and fake websites to steal personal and banking information. SARS also says users should beware of messages asking for personal, tax, banking, eFiling, login, password, PIN, or card information, and states that SARS will never ask for credit card details. (South African Revenue Service) SARS has also warned about fake SMS or email messages that push users to click payment or refund links. (South African Revenue Service)
For suspected fraud, use official reporting routes. Gov.za lists public-service hotlines, including the SARS fraud and anti-corruption hotline 0800 00 28 70 and the SASSA grant and fraud hotline 0800 60 1011. (Government of South Africa)
Related Guides
FAQ
Is there a verified USSD option for government services without data South Africa?
There is no single verified USSD option for all government services without data South Africa. Verified routes exist for specific services, such as SARS *134*7277# and UIF *134*843#, but users should check each department separately before using any code. (South African Revenue Service)
Is this service free to use?
It depends on the route. SARS says its USSD channel is free of charge and does not require smartphone or internet connectivity. (South African Revenue Service) Do not assume every USSD, SMS, app, or call-centre route is free unless the official department confirms it. SASSA notes that toll-free calls may only be toll-free from landlines, and calls from cellular phones may lead to additional costs. (SASSA Services Portal)
What should I do if the USSD option does not work?
Stop using the failed menu and try an official alternative. For SARS, use eFiling, MobiApp, SMS, WhatsApp where listed, the SARS Online Query System, or a SARS appointment route. For UIF, use uFiling, UIF Online, the UIF app, or official Department of Employment and Labour contact channels. For SASSA and Home Affairs, use official portals, branch routes, or verified contact-centre details.
How do I avoid fake public-service codes?
Use only codes and numbers published by official department websites, Gov.za, or verified government contact pages. Avoid codes from forwarded WhatsApp messages, social media comments, unofficial “agents”, and websites that ask for payment or sensitive banking details. If a menu asks for an OTP, bank PIN, card details, or password, stop immediately.
What information should users never share when checking government services without data South Africa?
Never share your bank PIN, OTP, card number, CVV, online banking password, eFiling password, SASSA card PIN, or full identity documents through unsafe channels. SARS warns users to beware of messages asking for personal, tax, banking, eFiling, login, password, PIN, or card information. (South African Revenue Service)
Where should users confirm the latest public-service details?
Confirm the latest details on the official department website, the official Gov.za contact directory, or a verified department call-centre page. Gov.za maintains a public contact directory for government structures and bodies, including national, provincial and local departments. (Government of South Africa)