The validity of Sassa Gold Cards have been extended by the South African Reserve bank. The decision has been welcomed by stakeholders who still need to upgrade to a new Postbank black card.
The SARB’s decision follows engagements between Sassa and Postbank on several issues, including alternative payment methods for beneficiaries who have not migrated to the Postbank black card. More than a million social grant beneficiaries have not yet migrated to the new card.
This decision has been made in the best interest of all the beneficiaries, to safeguard their dignity, lessen panic whilst ensuring their safety and easy access to their grants.
Currently, Sassa distributes millions of permanent grant payments, including the Older Persons pension grant, Disability grant, War Veterans grant, Care Dependency grant, Foster Child grant, Child Support grant, Child Support grant Top-Up and Grant-in-aid.
Postbank CEO Nikki Mbengashe revealed over one million Postbank black cards have been issued to social grant beneficiaries which is less than half of the approximately 3 million social grant beneficiaries served by the agency.
Mbengashe briefed members of the media on Friday on the update of Postbank black card distribution.
The Postbank CEO warned that after the two month extension period, beneficiaries who do not have a black card won't be able to use their Sassa gold cards.
Post offices will not provide social grant payments to beneficiaries who still have gold cards.
Acting Chief Executive Officer, Themba Matlou welcomed the SARB’s decision. However, he called on beneficiaries to upgrade to the new Postbank black card as soon as possible.
We humbly plea to our beneficiaries to use this opportunity and not wait for the last hour as this will further inconvenience them. From the onset, we listened to the cries of our beneficiaries and understood their frustration. This should not make you to relax, this should make you to wake up tomorrow, with less pressure, and change your card
The SARB’s decision means that grant beneficiaries have until 30 April to swop their Sassa gold cards for the new Postbank cards.
"The deadline for Sassa beneficiaries to swop their Sassa gold card for the Postbank black card has been extended to 30th April 2025 to allow Sassa and the Department of Social Development to complete the migration of the outstanding beneficiaries,” said Sassa.
At the briefing in Pretoria, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said Cabinet received an update on the migration of Sassa grants beneficiaries the new and secure Postbank black card.
The Postbank has met eight of the nine requirements of the South African Reserve Bank for paying social grants, and the last outstanding item being the physical replacement of the cards,
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.
Government had initially set the deadline for the transition to the new cards to 28 February after which a second extension was set for 20 March 2025.
The rollout of Postbank black cards commenced in 2024. When the rollout began, grant beneficiaries were assured that no Sassa gold cards would expire until all beneficiaries received a Postbank Black card.
However, in early 2025, the agency confirmed that Sassa gold cards would stop working at the end of February. Following calls from stakeholders, an extension was granted. The latest decision from the SARB allows for the use of Sassa gold cards for the next two months.
