The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has extended the Gold Cards expiration date to 31 December 2023, meaning beneficiaries will have to make sure to renew their cards before next year.
In a press release made earlier this year, grant beneficiaries of Sassa whose gold cards were expiring in March 2023 were encouraged to visit Post Office branches to collect a new card.
Priority will be given to those with cards expiring in March.
Can beneficiaries still use their expiring cards?
Luckily, SASSA has allowed for the continued use of Gold Cards, until the December expiration date arrives. This means millions of people will continue receiving their grants, and won't be left stranded without their social security.
SASSA has welcomed the decision from the Payment Association of South Africa (PASA) to extend the validity of expired cards for social grant payment transactions at ATMs and retailers.
The Agency said the extension of the validity of SASSA gold cards is great news for its beneficiaries. The extension means grant beneficiaries can continue using cards as they have done until the end of 2023.
PASA has sent correspondence to all acquiring banks to ensure they are ready to accept expired SASSA/Postbank Gold Cards, and Postbank has concluded its own preparations.
The Department of Social Development's response
The Minister of Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu, has explained that the Post Office had records of all cards that have expired, and that beneficiaries will be notified "of a staggered approach to be implemented when the SASSA card replacement commences."
The Postbank team has prepared a SASSA Card Replacement Distribution Plan. This will serve as a framework upon which the replacement program roll-out will be undertaken.
The "staggered approach" will most likely see beneficiaries issued with new Gold Cards in the month their old card is expiring.
According to the Minister, Postbank plans to allocate approximately 2000 employees to card the replacement activities, and that the SASSA Card Replacement Distribution Plan will ensure important information is shared with the public in a timely manner.
This will allow enough time for beneficiaries to get their new cards.
The Minister added:
All the gold cards will be replaced with black cards and this will be communicated to the public. All efforts are currently being made to ensure that Postbank is ready to issue the cards before December 2023.
Where to collect SASSA grants
Beneficiaries can continue collecting their grant payment at their usual collection points and using their expired Sassa gold cards at retail stores. These retail stores include Checkers, Shoprite, Usave, OK, Pick n Pay, Boxer and other participating retailers.
Social grants recipients using the expired Sassa/Postbank Gold Cards can enjoy using these cards within all the National payments System points that include ATMs, POS purchases as well as Post Office branches and SASSA physical cash payment points.
Grant beneficiaries will be notified when they are required to collect a new Sassa/Postbank gold card. While they await this notification, they can continue using their expired gold cards as they have done in the past.
