The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is urging beneficiaries to act swiftly as the deadline to replace the SASSA gold cards with the new Postbank black cards approaches. Beneficiaries must complete this transition by 20 March 2025, or they will no longer be able to use their gold cards for transactions.
The urgency heightened earlier this year when SASSA and Postbank announced the gold cards would cease functioning officially on 28 February 2025. Social grant payments scheduled for the period of 4 to 6 March 2025 will be the last payments made using the old cards. “Did you know... SASSA Gold Cards will stop working on 28 February 2025? Get your Postbank Black Card today,” SASSA communicated, adding pressure on beneficiaries to secure their new cards before the deadline.
The new Postbank black cards are set to significantly improve the user experience for beneficiaries. They will work seamlessly with all National Payment System channels, allowing transactions at retail point-of-sale systems and ATMs, effective immediately upon issuance. Importantly, there is no waiting period before these cards can be used for transactions. SASSA emphasized, “Beneficiaries will continue enjoying the same benefits they are receiving from the Gold Cards when switching to the new Postbank Black Cards.” This includes one free card replacement per year, three free withdrawals at stores monthly, and one free monthly statement over the counter.
The next few weeks are pivotal, particularly with the first payments of March 2025 approaching. Payments are set for the following dates: the Old Age Grant on Tuesday, March 4; the Disability Grant on Wednesday, March 5; and the Child Grant on Thursday, March 6. The SASSA grants will be disbursed during this period, but beneficiaries are strongly advised to use their gold cards as little as possible leading up to the changeover.
Many grant recipients have reported frustrations about long lines and challenging processes to obtain their new cards. To mitigate these issues, Postbank has increased the number of tellers available at existing sites nationwide and expanded its network to include more locations where beneficiaries can obtain their black cards. Beneficiaries can now collect their new Postbank black cards from major retailers like Pick n Pay, Boxer, Usave, Shoprite, and Checkers. Postbank has also rolled out partnerships with Spar stores nationwide to provide 234 additional locations for card replacements.
For added convenience, SASSA introduced a shortened USSD number for beneficiaries to find nearby card replacement sites. They can dial 120355#, follow prompts, and easily locate the closest venues for card replacement.
“We assure you... everything possible will be done to enable all beneficiaries to access their grant payments after the cards are disabled,” Postbank CEO Nikki Mbengashe reassured beneficiaries. Those who miss the March deadline will still be able to access their funds through dedicated Postbank grant accounts, though they will need to secure their new black cards soon to avoid disruption.
SASSA has also emphasized the importance of utilizing the bonus features offered with the new black cards. Beneficiaries will have access to no-cost withdrawals and transactions, ensuring greater financial access and less inconvenience. “SASSA services are completely free of charge. There are no fees associated with any of the services we provide,” SASSA stated.
It’s clear the shift from gold cards to black cards can significantly benefit SASSA beneficiaries, streamlining access to their funds and improving transaction capabilities. The message is clear: take action now to replace your gold card. Don’t let the deadline sneak up on you!
Beneficiaries should remain vigilant and updated on their application statuses and the upcoming payment schedules to effectively manage their access to these social grants. For any inquiries, beneficiaries can contact SASSA at 0800 60 10 11 or Postbank at 0800 53 54 55 for assistance.