Announcement of a new SASSA Postbank double deadline should help put grant recipients’ minds at ease of losing out financially. However, many beneficiaries have still reached out to The South Africansaying the agency’s provision for SASSA Gold-to-Black card swaps is hopelessly insufficient. As we reported last week, old-age pensioners, disability and child-support card holders have until Friday 28 February 2025 to swap their cards (just two weeks from the date of publishing).
SASSA POSTBANK DOUBLE DEADLINE 2025
In response to the panic, a new SASSA Postbank double deadline has been set, reports Daily Maverick. According to the report, Postbank CEO Nikki Mbengashe said on Radio 702 this week that the agency’s initially very-tight turnaround time will most likely be reviewed.
The new SASSA Postbank double deadline means that beneficiaries must still swap their cards before Friday 28 February 2025. However, to offset any potential delays, current SASSA cards will remain active until Thursday 20 March 2025. By which point old-age pensioners and childcare beneficiaries should have received new SASSA Black cards.
U-TURN FROM THE AGENCY
However, the above SASSA Postbank double deadline contradicts the South African Social Security Agency’s earlier release. In it, the entity said: “Postbank Gold cards will no longer function after 28 February 2025, whether it be to draw and transfer money or check an available balance.” Worse still, cash-strapped SASSA beneficiaries have been asking for clarity on the Gold-to-Black card swap for months.
Postbank started the replacement process in September 2024, and it believed, inaccurately, that the majority of beneficiaries had already swapped. Initially, a deadline of 31 December 2024 was set. However, that came and went without further communication. Now, the latest deadline applies even if the expiry date on the card is different.
FIND A PARTICIPATING RETAILER
Mbengashe is urging beneficiaries to go to their nearest Postbank site as soon as possible. “You can visit any participating Postbank site, which includes Checkers/Shoprite, Pick n Pay, Usave and Boxer stores. Card swaps will only be allowed with a valid ID document,” confirms Mbengashe.
Sounds easy enough, however, the reality on the ground is radically different based on the feedback we’ve had streaming in …
READER FEEDBACK
Oostjan says:
The number of sites available for the SASSA Postbank double deadline is totally inadequate to service the number of gold card beneficiaries by 28 February. At Checkers Parow today there were hundreds of people queuing with most of them having no hope of being served. A large number of these people are elderly and in wheelchairs. Surely the powers that be at SASSA must realise that the number of sites available will not be able to cope with the demand. It seems disingenuous to allow a period of less-than a month for the process. Now they have created utter chaos with this deadline and totally inadequate number of sites. I find it unacceptable that especially older people have to endure such treatment.
Jannknobel100 says:
Hundreds and hundreds of people queueing in Nelspruit in a very unsafe part of town. Could not queue there, as very dangerous and I’m old and very poor health, and partial sighted! So now have to try SASSA and have it paid into my bank account. Not fair!
Gersanda says:
My mom (81) and dad (84) are standing in the queue since 06h30 at Shoprite this morning. And there’s 120 people in front of them. My mom has had nine back operations and my dad had five unsuccessful hip replacements. By 14h00 only six people were helped. They are desperate for the few Rands they receive monthly to survive and be able to pay their medication. There is only one person trying to help hundreds of people. This is mistreating of old people. Really, it’s not fair!
WHAT CAN BE DONE?
The SASSA Postbank double deadline is preposterous, but we’ll try assist you as best we can to help you beat the queues. Firstly, by dialling *120*218*3# and following the prompts you can find the nearest retailer. Also, you can contact:
Unfortunately, this won’t help with terrible queues if retailers are not prepared and systems go offline all the time. Nevertheless, don’t forget to bring your ID book, Smart ID card or valid temporary ID for the swap. Foreign nationals are not yet eligible for the new black cards. However, they can still access their grant money at any Post Office using their current documents.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN AFTER THE DEADLINE?
Note that, if you do miss the SASSA Postbank double deadline, it does not mean you will forfeit your March 2025 grant. It will be paid, however, you will not be able to access it via your existing SASSA Gold card that stops working on 20 March. Instead, you may use the South African Post Office, or other means (only until Monday 30 June 2025). Any further grant payments after the deadline will simply accumulate in your account until you are able to access it via the SASSA Black card, or other means.
It’s understood that the SASSA Postbank double deadline effects roughly 30% of existing SASSA grant beneficiaries. That is, give or take, 11-million elderly, disabled or parents with children. Simple math dictates that 80 000 beneficiaries need to be served every day to make the deadline. Meanwhile, SASSA says the balance of grant beneficiaries are already using other traditional banking institutions.
MARCH 2025 SASSA PAY DATES
Amidst the disorganisation, the National Treasury and SASSA is still to announce official increases for 2025 grants. These are the final payment dates before the undisclosed amounts increase:
- Older Persons Grants: Tuesday 4 March 2025.
- Disability/War Veteran Grants: Wednesday 5 March 2025.
- Children’s Grants: Thursday 6 March 2025.
*The agency reminds beneficiaries that payments may take 2-3 days to reflect in your bank account.
HAVE YOU MIGRATED FROM A GOLD TO BLACK SASSA CARD YET?
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