In a joint statement with Postbank, Sassa confirmed that gold cards will still work in the next grant payment cycle scheduled for March 2025 grant payment dates. This comes as the Postbank is in a race against time to replace Sassa gold cards with Postbank black cards.
This use of Sassa gold cards in March 2025 is due to Sassa’s gold card validity extension announced in February. All gold cards will expire on 20 March 2025.
Sassa grant beneficiaries can use their gold cards for all transactions, including ATM withdrawals, balance inquiries, statement printing, and retail purchases or cash withdrawals at tills, until 20 March.
Sassa Gold Cards Set To Expire Soon
Sassa confirmed that from 5 PM, 20 March 2025, gold cards will no longer be active. Beneficiaries were warned that even if they had money on their gold cards, they would not be able to use their cards.
Retailers will not accept the cards for any transactions, and any attempts will result in automatic system transaction declines. The gold cards will also not be accepted by any ATM, and they may be swallowed when inserted into any ATM to attempt a transaction.
While beneficiaries will still be paid their social grants monthly, they will have to collect their grant payments at a Postbank branch.
Postbank CEO, Nikki Mbengashe assured beneficiaries that their grant money would remain in a dedicated Postbank account.
After the cards are disabled, any funds balance due to beneficiaries and all subsequent months' payments will be stored safely in their current individual Postbank dedicated grants accounts and the funds will be accessible through alternative methods of payment, or with the black cards once they have obtained them.
Postbank expanded its black card distribution network including activating an additional 237 Spar retail outlets. The agency is also increasing teller numbers at existing sites and extending operating hours, including Saturday service and later closing times. Sassa is deploying staff to assist at distribution points.
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 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.
Sassa Grant Dates For March 2025
- Old Age Grant - 4 March
- Disability Grant - 5 March
- Child Grant - 6 March
"Sassa and Postbank assure beneficiaries and the public that all social grants will be paid to every grant beneficiary, even those that may miss the deadline to replace their cards. Sassa and Postbank are committed to ensuring that there are no interruptions to the payments of grants."
