Media Statement
Joint Postbank-SASSA Media Statement
7 February 2025
POSTBANK AND SASSA ANNOUNCE DEADLINE FOR REPLACEMENT OF SASSA GOLD CARDS AND APPEAL TO BENEFICIARIES TO URGENTLY GET BLACK CARDS TO CONTNUE TO TRANSACT
PRETORIA – SASSA and Postbank appeal to social grant beneficiaries to replace their SASSA Gold Cards with the new Postbank Black Cards by 28 February 2025.
Beneficiaries that fail to get Postbank Black Cards before the deadline are advised that they will not be able to access their SASSA grant payments with the SASSA Gold Cards. After this deadline, Gold Cards will not function to withdraw cash from all ATMs and retailers, and they will also not be allowed for transactions such balance enquiries, printing of statements or retail purchases as they will be blocked.
Postbank started replacing SASSA Gold Cards with the new Postbank Black Cards in September 2024. Hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries have already changed their cards and are accessing their grants using the Postbank Black Cards. Other beneficiaries are encouraged to collect their new Postbank Black Cards, as after this deadline, the SASSA Gold Cards will no longer be valid for any transactions.
The SASSA grants payments that started in the week of 4 to 6 February 2025 will be the last payments that will be made with SASSA Gold Cards.
“We appeal to beneficiaries that have not yet switched to Postbank Black Cards to take the opportunity and get the new cards before the deadline of 28 February 2025, to avoid not being able to access their SASSA grant payments. All current SASSA Gold Cards in everyone’s possession will stop working on 28 February 2025, irrespective of the expiry date written on the card. Please go to your nearest Postbank site, which is mainly located at one of the retailers near you that include Checkers, Shoprite, Pick n Pay, Usave and Boxer, and get your Postbank Black Card to continue transacting.” Nikki Mbengashe, Postbank CEO explains.
To get the new Postbank Black Cards, beneficiaries are only required to have a valid South African ID or a temporary ID. No card will be issued without these documents. Ensuring that minimum documentation is required to get the new Postbank Black Cards is in line with SASSA and Postbank’s ongoing commitment to continuously improve the customer experience of all social grant beneficiaries.
Getting the new Postbank Black Card is also free of charge for all beneficiaries, something that supports Postbank’s financial inclusion mandate and SASSA’s social welfare responsibilities.
The new Postbank Black Cards works in all the National Payment System channels that include ATMs, retailer’s point-of-sale machines and any place that accepts a bank card immediately after being issued to a beneficiary, so there is no waiting period for when they can be used for transactions. The new cards also have updated safety and card features.
The great news for social grant beneficiaries is that they will continue enjoying the same benefits that they are getting from the Gold Cards when switching to the new Postbank Black Cards and these include:
- One free card replacement per year
- 3 free withdrawals in stores per month
- 1 free monthly statement over the counter
SASSA and Postbank are committed to ensuring that no one is left behind, and all grant beneficiaries conveniently replace their cards. To achieve this, Postbank has ensured that it selects the card replacement sites in line with the withdrawal preference patterns of the beneficiaries. Grant beneficiaries can replace their SASSA Gold Cards with new Postbank Black Cards conveniently where they collect their grant payments, mainly at retailers that include Shoprite, Checkers, Usave, Boxer nationwide, and Gauteng Pick n Pay stores.
“Our strategy for where we chose to issue our cards is based on where customers already get their grants now. We have worked with these retailers because they are familiar to our customer and we endeavored to be as close as possible to where most beneficiaries are in each province”, says Ms. Mbengashe.
Postbank has also made it easy for beneficiaries to locate the nearest place in every province where they can collect their Postbank Black Cards. All they need to do from the comfort of their homes is to use their cellphone and:
- Dial: *120*218*3#
- To continue, reply by pressing number: 1; and
- Reply with the number representing the province they live in.
SASSA and Postbank assure grant beneficiaries and the public that there will not be any interruptions in the payments of social grants.
“Our appeal to social grant beneficiaries is that they should not wait for the last minute, or for when their cards stop working. They must get their Postbank Black Cards now at their nearby card replacement site as that will guarantee that they continue receiving their payments,” says Themba Matlou, SASSA Acting CEO.
Beneficiaries are advised to always be wary of criminal elements that often capitalize on busy cycles of economic activity to perpetrate scams. We ask them to be extra careful with their ID’s and always ensure that the person whom they hand their ID to is an authorized official, and they must always keep their cards safely in their purses and wallets when not using them. Beneficiaries are also advised to be careful not to accept cards that look like Postbank Black Cards that are issued by other people and institutions under false pretenses.
For any further enquiries, beneficiaries can contact Postbank or SASSA Customer Care Centers on:
Postbank: 0800 53 54 55
SASSA: 0800 60 10 11
Updated – 27 June 2024
SASSA Introduces Biometric Identification to Combat Fraud
In a bid to fortify the integrity and security of the social grant distribution process, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has implemented a biometric identity verification system. This initiative serves as a safeguard to reduce the risk of social grant fraud.
The verification process is primarily aimed at the selected categories of COVID-19 SRD clients:
- Clients who wish to modify their existing mobile numbers or banking details initially provided to SASSA. Such modifications will be accepted only upon successful completion of biometric verification.
- Clients suspected of identity theft or those who have been victims of such crimes may also be required to undergo biometric identification. In an effort to curb fraud, SASSA is collaborating closely with other industry stakeholders.
In instances where any of the above situations have been identified or have occurred, SASSA may mandate these clients to undergo compulsory electronic identity verification to secure their grant application and payment. This initiative is also aimed at eliminating fraudulent social grant applications.
To complete the electronic identity verification process, clients will require:
- A smartphone or computer equipped with a high-quality camera.
- A stable Wi-Fi or mobile data internet connection.
- A well-lit environment where they are the only person in the picture.
It’s important to note that COVID-19 SRD applications are processed exclusively online. Similar to the application process, this is a one-time activity to unblock an account or make a ‘high risk’ change to a client’s profile.
Verification Process Details: SASSA will provide detailed instructions on the process when the affected client interacts with SASSA for their transaction of interest.
Clients who do not complete the biometric identity verification may have their grants suspended. We assure our clients that the agency is committed to their safety and this process will not disrupt any other client not listed in the categories referenced above.
For further clarity and social grant-related enquiries, clients are encouraged to contact our customer care at 0800 60 10 11.
ISSUED BY SASSA
FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT:
Paseka Letsatsi, SASSA Spokesperson | Tel: 082 883 9969
CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE : SASSA – South African Social Security Agency – Older Persons Grant
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Please contact your nearest SASSA office
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regarding the SASSA Older Persons Grant
Further SASSA information:
https://youve-earned-it.co.za/site/sassa-south-african-social-security-agency-older-persons-grant/