The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has assured beneficiaries that their Sassa Gold Cards remain valid for withdrawing their social grants, despite the ongoing transition to Black 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.
Postbank, who is responsible for the distribution of thousands of Sassa grants to beneficiaries of these grants, has confirmed that Gold Cards will continue to function until all beneficiaries have received their new Black Cards.
Will Sassa Gold Cards Expire In December?
Postbank confirmed that Sassa golds cards will not expire in December 2024.
This gradual process of issuing new Sassa black cards is expected to take some time. However, Sassa beneficiaries can rest assured that their Sassa gold cards will remain fully operational.
Gold Cards are working and will continue to work until Postbank issues every Gold Card beneficiary with a Black Card.
Postbank’s Warning About Sassa Card Swaps
Postbank warned Sassa beneficiaries to be wary of individuals, including Sassa officials, who may attempt to pressure them into changing their cards. This is only the case where Postbank has the authority to replace Sassa Gold Cards.
No one has the right to tell you who to bank with or change your Sassa Gold card, even if that person is a Sassa official. Only Postbank has the right to replace Sassa Gold Cards.
Postbank has not set a date for the completion of the transition to the new cards.
The transition will be completed once every Gold Card has been replaced
Beneficiaries who wish to collect their new Black Cards must take either their ID or a temporary ID to selected retailers.
If someone is collecting a card on behalf of a beneficiary, the beneficiary does not need to be present. Still, the person collecting the card must present an official Sassa authorisation letter.
