Social grant beneficiaries who have not yet switched from their SASSA gold cards to the new Postbank black cards have just over a month to complete the process before the old cards stop working.

The Postbank has urged recipients to act now, warning that the 31 August deadline is fast approaching and that delays could result in disruptions to grant payments.

The bank said SASSA gold cards are being phased out and will no longer function once the migration process is complete.

Long queues expected in August

Thamsanqa Cele, Postbank’s chief commercial officer, said beneficiaries should not wait until August or their usual grant payment dates to make the switch.

“We are already noticing a steady increase in queues at several of our card replacement sites and based on current trends, we anticipate that queues will become considerably longer in August, which is the final month before the deadline,” Cele said.

“Beneficiaries who postpone their visit until then may experience substantial delays due to the expected increase in demand.”

The bank said it has deployed resources to support the card migration programme but stressed that beneficiaries need to make use of the time remaining.

Where to get the new cards

Postbank black cards are available from selected retailers, including Shoprite, Checkers, Usave, Pick n Pay, Boxer and Spar stores.

Card replacement sites are open nationwide from Monday to Friday, between 09:00 and 17:00.

Beneficiaries can dial 120 355# from their mobile phones to locate their nearest replacement site.

What you need to bring

The replacement process is free. Beneficiaries are required to present a valid South African identity document or temporary ID.

The Postbank has advised beneficiaries not to visit SASSA offices for enquiries related to gold cards or black cards. Instead, they should visit a nearby Postbank service point or contact the bank’s call centre.

The bank’s customer service teams can assist with issues including missed payments, PIN-related queries, lost or stolen cards, card reissues and declined transactions.

Beneficiaries requiring assistance can contact the Postbank’s call centre on 0800 535 455.

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