Last checked: 25 June 2026
Public service USSD codes help South Africans find no-app or low-data access routes for certain government-related services, including tax, UIF and grant-related support. The safest way to use this page is to choose the public service you need, check whether a USSD code is currently verified, and then use the dedicated guide for that task before entering personal information.
Not every government service has a confirmed USSD option. Some services use websites, call centres, online portals, SMS, WhatsApp, branch bookings or department-specific contact routes instead. Do not dial a code simply because it appears in a social media post, WhatsApp message, SMS, forum comment or unofficial blog.
Quick Public Service USSD Code Directory
| Public service | Current USSD status | Use it for | Go to |
|---|---|---|---|
| UIF | *134*843# is listed by the Department of Employment and Labour for UIF services. | UIF claim status, payment status, employee registration, continuation of payment and enquiries, depending on the menu shown. (Department of Labour) | UIF USSD code |
| SARS | *134*7277# is listed by SARS for mobile tax services. | Tax number, account balance, filing status, refund status, audit status, PIT registration and other menu-based SARS services. (South African Revenue Service) | SARS USSD code |
| SASSA and grants | Check the dedicated SASSA guide before using any claimed code. | Grant information, SRD status, application routes, payout-date support and scam checks should be verified through official SASSA channels. The SASSA Services Portal lists grant information, how-to guidance, forms, FAQs and contact options. (SASSA) | SASSA USSD code |
| Home Affairs | Check the dedicated Home Affairs guide before using any claimed code. | ID, passport, citizenship, appointment and status-related services should be verified through current Home Affairs channels. The Department’s status page says online Status Verification is suspended until further notice and lists the hotline route. (Department of Home Affairs) | Home Affairs USSD code |
| Government services by task | Use a service-by-service directory. | Find whether the task belongs to SARS, UIF, SASSA, Home Affairs, a municipality, a bank or another provider. | USSD codes by government service |
| Broader USSD lookup | Use the national USSD directory. | Find mobile network, banking, airtime, data, public-service and provider-specific USSD guides in one place. | USSD codes South Africa |
Use this page as a public-service directory, not as a replacement for the official department or provider. Public service USSD codes can change, menus can be updated, and some services may move to online portals or call-centre routes. When a task involves your ID number, tax number, banking details, grant record or UIF record, confirm the code against an official source before continuing.
SASSA and Grant-Related Codes
SASSA-related searches need extra caution because grant beneficiaries are often targeted with fake payment notices, fake “application” websites, fake WhatsApp support routes, fake double-payment messages and fake card or bank-detail update requests.
The safest starting point is the dedicated SASSA USSD code guide. Use that page to check whether a SASSA-related USSD option is currently verified before you dial. If you are dealing with grant applications, grant information, forms or official SASSA support, the SASSA Services Portal lists grant information, application guidance, form downloads, FAQs and contact options. (SASSA)
Be careful with SRD-related messages. SAnews reported that the Department of Social Development and SASSA warned the public about fake SRD application sites and links used to collect personal information. (SAnews) SASSA has also warned beneficiaries about fake news and disinformation targeting grants and public expectations around payments. (SAnews)
| SASSA-related task | Safer next step |
|---|---|
| Check whether there is a verified SASSA USSD route | SASSA USSD code |
| Check official grant information or application guidance | Use official SASSA channels and the SASSA Services Portal before submitting details. |
| Check SRD-related status or application routes | Verify through official SASSA/SRD channels before entering your ID number or phone number. |
| Report or avoid fake SASSA messages | Report fake SASSA website |
| Find official contact options | South African government service numbers |
| Find no-data or low-data alternatives | Government services without data South Africa |
Never give your grant card PIN, bank card PIN, banking app password, OTP, full card number or ID document photo to someone who contacts you first. A real public-service process should not pressure you through a private WhatsApp number or ask you to pay an “unlocking” fee before a grant, refund or benefit can be released.
UIF, SARS and Home Affairs Service Guidance
For UIF, the verified USSD route found in official Department of Employment and Labour material is *134*843#. The Department says UIF clients can dial this code from a cellphone to access a menu that may include claims and payment status, employee registration, continuation of payment and enquiries. (Department of Labour)
Use UIF USSD code if you need UIF-specific guidance. That page should explain what the UIF code can help with, what information you may need, what to do if the menu does not open, and which alternative UIF route to use when USSD is unavailable.
For SARS, the verified USSD route found on the official SARS website is *134*7277#. SARS says users can dial the code, choose a tax service from the menu, and complete taxpayer verification using an ID, passport or asylum number where required. (South African Revenue Service) SARS lists mobile tax service options that include tax reference number, account balance, filing status, refund status, audit status, PIT registration and other tax-related services, depending on the menu available at the time. (South African Revenue Service)
Use SARS USSD code if you need tax-specific steps. SARS-related tasks are sensitive because they may involve your tax profile, refunds, balances, compliance status or personal tax record. SARS warns taxpayers to be cautious of scams and phishing, and says SARS will never request banking details in communications or send hyperlinks to other websites in those communications. (South African Revenue Service)
For Home Affairs, do not rely on an old or forwarded USSD claim without checking the current official route. The Department of Home Affairs status page says online Status Verification is suspended until further notice and lists a toll-free hotline route. (Department of Home Affairs) The eHomeAffairs contact page also lists the Home Affairs contact centre details. (eHome)
Use Home Affairs USSD code if you need to confirm whether a Home Affairs task currently has a USSD route. For many Home Affairs services, the safer route may be an official online portal, appointment booking route, contact centre or branch process rather than a USSD code.
How to Verify Government USSD Codes Safely
Before using public service USSD codes, verify the code in four steps.
First, match the code to the service. A SARS code should be confirmed by SARS. A UIF code should be confirmed by the Department of Employment and Labour or UIF. A SASSA route should be confirmed by SASSA or an official government communication. A Home Affairs route should be confirmed by the Department of Home Affairs.
Second, match the code to the task. A real public-service USSD menu may only support a limited set of actions. Do not assume one code can apply for every grant, change every bank account, check every application, approve a refund or fix every blocked payment.
Third, check what information is being requested. Some official services may ask for an ID number, passport number, asylum number or registered cellphone number for verification. That is different from asking for a banking PIN, card PIN, eFiling password, OTP, full card details or a photo of your ID document through an unsafe link.
Fourth, check the message source. Be careful if the code was sent by an unknown number, posted by an “agent”, shared in a social media comment, promoted through a copied-and-pasted WhatsApp message, or attached to a promise of fast approval, double payment, debt cancellation, refund release or grant unlocking. SARS warns people not to share usernames, passwords, OTPs, personal details or banking details through suspicious channels. (South African Revenue Service)
A safer public-service USSD page should always show when the information was last checked. It should also explain whether the code is official, which department or provider supports it, what the code can and cannot do, and where to go if the USSD menu fails.
All 10 government USSD code pages
Every page in this section, listed A to Z.
- FBE USSD Code
- Fundi USSD Code
- GEMS USSD Code
- GEPF USSD Code
- NSFAS Status Check USSD Code
- NSFAS USSD Code
- SASSA Online Application For R350 USSD Code
- SASSA SRD USSD Code To Check Balance
- USSD Code For Matric Results
- USSD Code For UIF Status Check Balance
Related Public-Service Guides
| Guide | Use it when |
|---|---|
| USSD codes South Africa | You need the broader South African USSD directory across public services, mobile networks, banking, airtime and data. |
| USSD codes by government service | You want to browse public-service USSD options by department, provider or task. |
| UIF USSD code | You need UIF claim, payment, employee registration, continuation or enquiry guidance. |
| SARS USSD code | You need SARS mobile tax service guidance for tax number, status, refund, balance or registration tasks. |
| SASSA USSD code | You need grant-related guidance and want to avoid fake SASSA codes or fake support messages. |
| Home Affairs USSD code | You need to confirm whether a Home Affairs task has a current USSD route. |
| Government services without data South Africa | You need public-service options that do not depend on mobile data. |
| South African government service numbers | You need official contact numbers instead of a USSD code. |
| Report fake SASSA website | You suspect a fake grant, UIF, SARS, Home Affairs or public-service message. |
FAQs
What is the code for public service USSD codes?
There is no single public service USSD code for every South African government service. The code depends on the department and the task. The verified examples on this page are UIF *134*843# and SARS *134*7277#. (Department of Labour) For SASSA, Home Affairs or other government services, use the dedicated guide and verify the current route before dialling.
Does this USSD code need airtime or data?
USSD normally does not require mobile data. SARS describes its USSD service as free of charge and says users do not need a smartphone or internet connectivity for the USSD option. (South African Revenue Service) The Department of Employment and Labour has also described the UIF USSD platform as free. (Government of South Africa) Even so, check the relevant service page before relying on any cost or access claim, because mobile-network and service conditions can change.
What should I do if the code does not work?
Check that you typed the full code correctly, including every star and hash. Then check whether you are using the correct SIM, whether your phone has network signal, whether the service is temporarily unavailable, and whether the department has moved that task to a website, app, call centre or branch route. For more help, use USSD code not working.
What information should users never share when checking public service USSD codes?
Never share your banking PIN, card PIN, eFiling password, banking app password, OTP, full card details, login details or ID document photo through an unsafe channel. SARS specifically warns taxpayers not to share usernames, passwords, OTPs, personal details or banking details through suspicious links or messages. (South African Revenue Service) Treat the same rule as a safety baseline for grant, UIF, Home Affairs and other public-service messages.
How can users tell whether a public service USSD codes message is fake?
A message is suspicious if it promises a guaranteed grant, refund, approval or double payment; asks you to pay a fee; pushes you to a shortened or unfamiliar link; tells you to send documents to a private number; or asks for a PIN, password or OTP. SASSA has warned the public about fake SRD application sites and fake grant-related messages, while SARS maintains a dedicated scams and phishing warning page for taxpayers. (SAnews)
Where should users confirm the latest public-service details?
Confirm the latest details with the official department, agency, bank, regulator or public-service provider responsible for the task. Use this page as a directory, then move to the most relevant task guide: UIF USSD code, SARS USSD code, SASSA USSD code, Home Affairs USSD code or USSD codes by government service.