status checks contribute to a more equitable distribution of resources. South Africa’s socio-economic landscape is deeply unequal, and people living in rural or marginalized communities often face the greatest barriers in accessing information and support services SASSA status tool here. Digital status check tools—especially when made available via USSD codes or WhatsApp—help level the playing field by making important updates accessible even to those with basic mobile devices and no internet connection. This ensures that someone living in a remote village has the same chance of staying updated on their grant application as someone in an urban center.