Postbank has issued one million black cards to South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) beneficiaries as part of its ongoing effort to replace expiring Sassa gold cards.
Sassa distributes over 18 million 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. Around 3 million grant beneficiaries bank with the Postbank and require a card replacement
According to the CEO of Postbank, Nikki Mbengashe, approximately three million cards must be issued to ensure all beneficiaries can continue accessing their grants.
Mbengashe thanked beneficiaries who have already collected their new Postbank black cards, noting that 46% of the new cards were issued in February alone. In the first two weeks of March, an additional 200,000 beneficiaries received their new cards.
This means that the Sassa gold card will not be working, we are pleading with all beneficiaries not to attempt to use this post-20 March 2025
Despite the uptick in Postbank bank card distribution, Mbengashe admitted that many beneficiaries only applied for the new card due to the approaching expiry date of the Sassa gold cards.
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. Cards are set to expire on 20 March 2025, after which they will no longer function for grant payments.
Postbank have faced criticism for their handling of the rollout with parliamentary labelling the process as inefficient.
Mbengashe confirmed that account numbers will remain unchanged and grants will still be paid. However, the expired Sassa gold cards will no longer provide access to bank accounts.
Postbank will continue issuing black cards beyond the 20 March deadline. While awaiting a new card, beneficiaries can still collect their grants from their nearest post office by presenting their ID book.
Beneficiaries who are bedridden can register for a home visit at a Sassa office. They must provide a medical certificate proving their condition, along with their ID, proof of medical condition, and cellphone number. This can be done at a Sassa office or by calling the Sassa call centre or Postbank call centre.
We are calling for people to provide a medical certificate, a social worker certificate or a clinic letter. It is there to provide for people who honestly need it.
This allows Postbank to ensure that beneficiaries can nominate a proxy to collect their social grant on their behalf.
Mbengashe assured beneficiaries that they will still receive social grant payments.
No one will be left without their grant because of their [expired] gold card,
Over 320 sites across the country are currently issuing the new Postbank black cards to facilitate the transition for beneficiaries.
Sassa Supporting Rollout
Sassa acting CEO Themba Matlou confirmed that several initiatives were taken by the agency to support the rollout of Postbank black cards. This includes setting up extra postbank distribution sites and providing human support.
Matlou assured beneficiaries that grant payments will remain uninterrupted following the expiry of Sassa gold cards.
There won’t be any beneficiary that won’t get their money.
Post Office Payments On Hold
The Postbank announced a validity extension for Sassa gold cards. This means that Post Offices will no longer pay April 2025 grant payments.
This article was updated on 4 April 2025.
