#PayTheGrants, an economic justice advocacy group, is calling for an extension of the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) gold card replacement period.
Sassa warned grant beneficiaries that Sassa Gold cards will be blocked in March 2025. This means that many of the agency’s 18 million social grant beneficiaries have less than one month to collect a new Postbank Sassa Black card in order to access their social grant payments.
#PayTheGrants believes the Sassa card replacement period is too short notice for many vulnerable grant beneficiaries.
While Sassa began rolling out the new Sassa black cards in 2024, the agency assured beneficiaries that no Sassa gold cards would expire until all cards were replaced. However, in early 2025, the agency confirmed that Sassa gold cards would stop working at the end of February.
Gold Cards are working and will continue to work until Postbank issues every Gold Card beneficiary with a Black Card.
Elizabeth Ruiters described the decision to block Sassa gold cards at the end of the month as unfair to grant beneficiaries. There is now a real risk that many beneficiaries will not paid their social grants in March should they fail to get a card replacement.
Now 3 weeks before month end, and before pay dates they have decided to give out the notice to tell beneficiaries if they don't go and exchange to the Black Card they won't get paid next month I think this is not fair towards beneficiaries.
Ruiters also expressed concern regarding the high volume of beneficiaries who will now be forced to exchange cards as they fear non-payment of grants.
While Postbank has partnered with retail stores for the issuance of Gold Cards, the agency has not been free of criticism as grant beneficiaries have reportedly been turned away from getting a new card.
You can't go to your local Sassa office to exchange it, you have to go to retailers and hearing from the ground that the cues are actually very very long at the retailers so some people have to go back twice or thrice so I think should really extend.
Ruiters says while they understand that Sassa gold cards are being replaced for security reasons, beneficiaries weren't initially told when their Gold cards will expire.
We do know there's a lot of fraud happening currently in the Sassa system which needs to be curbed, I still think they should give beneficiaries at least three months to exchange.
Where to Get a New Sassa Card
Postbank provided the following instructions for beneficiaries to locate a card replacement centre:
- Step 1: Dial *120*355#
- Step 2: Select option 1
- Step 3: Choose your province
After completing these steps, beneficiaries will see a list of locations where new cards are being issued.
When collecting a new Sassa card, bring your ID (or a temporary ID if the original is lost). If collecting on behalf of someone else, bring the official Sassa proxy letter. Asylum seeker grant beneficiaries should bring the official Sassa approval letter.
Beneficiaries need a valid ID or temporary ID to receive their Postbank Black Card. Those who have lost their IDs should obtain a temporary ID.
Postbank assures all Sassa gold card grant recipients who have not yet received a black card that their gold cards will continue to work for grant collection until they are replaced. There is no need for concern.
Postbank noted several benefits for grant beneficiaries who switch to the new black Sassa card, including free first card replacement, three free store withdrawals per month, one free monthly statement, and assurance of no unauthorised account deductions, ensuring funds are secure.
