A new February 2025 SASSA Postbank card deadline for swaps has come out of nowhere and left thousands of beneficiaries reeling. The South African Social Security Agency has been fighting battles on all sides recently. First, with growing consternation from beneficiaries over still-unconfirmed increases in 2025. And then recent High Court action which called exclusionary measures for SRD grants ‘unlawful’.
Now an urgent call has gone out via the agency’s social media channels about a February 2025 SASSA Postbank card deadline. According to a statement released late last week, all SASSA existing gold cards need to be replaced by black cards by no later than Friday 28 February 2025. Failure to do so will lead to beneficiaries not being able to access their monthly grant money.
FEBRUARY 2025 SASSA POSTBANK CARD DEADLINE
The hastily communicated February 2025 SASSA Postbank card deadline seems ill timed for the embattled agency. ‘Core’ SASSA beneficiaries still on the Postbank Gold card are distressed about the sudden urgency. And rightly so. Under the leadership of former minister Zulu and suspended CEO Mamela, the switch to Postbank Black cards was communicated a delayed repeatedly.
Now, to suddenly give 20 days (at the time of release) before the February 2025 SASSA Postbank card deadline seems rushed and poorly managed. Postbank Gold cards will no longer function in anyway after Friday 28 February 2025. Whether it be to draw and transfer money, or so much as ask for an available balance, confirms SASSA.
POSTBANK BLACK CARDS
“Postbank started replacing gold cards with black cards in September 2024. Hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries have already swapped and are accessing their grants. Other Postbank users are encouraged to swap their cards before the deadline date. Therefore, February grants will be the last with the Postbank gold card,” confirms the agency. Existing SASSA beneficiaries are so irate because the deadline applies even if the expiry date on the card is different.
Initially, the entity said gold cards would expire on 31 December 2024. When that deadline came and went, users relied on the expiry dates provided on their cards. Now, Postbank CEO Nikki Mbengashe, urges users to go to their nearest Postbank site as soon as possible. “Don’t wait to the last minute when there will be a rush. 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.
FIND A RETAILER NEAR YOU
Furthermore, Postbank assures users that the new black cards are packed with safety and convenience features. You will get:
- One free card replacement per year.
- Three free in-store withdrawals per month.
- One free over-the-counter statement per month.
Plus, you can find your nearest participating retailer by dialling *120*218*38 and following the prompts. Or you can contact authorities for more assistance like so:
LAST PAYMENT BEFORE INCREASES
Be sure to diarise the final SASSA payment dates before (unconfirmed) increases take effect in April:
- 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.
DO YOU USE POSTBANK FOR SASSA GRANTS?
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