The deadline for beneficiaries to replace their gold South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) cards with the black Postbank cards has been extended from 28 February to 20 March.
In a joint statement released by the Departments of Communications and Digital Technologies and Social Developement on Friday 14 February it said government is responding to the deep concerns and frustrations of social grant beneficiaries and it trusts that this extension will provide much needed time for grant recipients.
“We strongly encourage our beneficiaries to make sure that they change to the black Postbank card as soon as they can, and well ahead of the 20 March deadline,” the statement read.
“We would like to emphasise that grant payments will continue as per usual, even after the 20 March deadline. If beneficiaries haven’t exchanged their cards by then, their grants will still be paid, but they will need to visit their nearest Post Office branch to access their funds.”
The departments said, together with its entities, it hoped to add more human capacity and were working with retailers to increase the number of sites across the country.
“Mobile offices will also be dispatched to focus on rural areas and to ensure that we assist as many people as possible.
“We will monitor the process closely and will receive daily updates as to how the process is going so that we are able to respond quickly to any further issues that may arise.”
The extension comes shortly after Western Cape Minister of Social Development Jaco Londt called for an urgent overhaul of the transition process.
What was promised as a simple card-exchange process has become a frustrating ordeal for vulnerable citizens. Sassa and Postbank initially assured beneficiaries they could easily replace their cards at major retailers such as Shoprite, Checkers and Pick n Pay, presenting the transition as a straightforward procedure requiring only an ID.
The reality on the ground told a different story.
Of particular concern was the limited distribution of service points across the Western Cape.
“This is unacceptable because it leaves thousands of grant beneficiaries living in rural areas in the Western Cape without accessible options,” Londt earlier stated.
Acknowledging that grants can be paid into beneficiaries’ regular bank accounts, he emphasised that many elderly residents and those living in poverty preferred using their Sassa Gold Cards for convenience.
Grant beneficiaries are reminded that Sassa Gold Cards will subsequently stop working from 20 March.
“After 20 March beneficiaries will still be able to apply for and receive their Postbank Black Cards.
“We are also working with community leaders and local authorities to share clear information and offer assistance where needed.
“We will make sure beneficiaries are able to swop their old gold Sassa cards as easily as possible; this is our priority and we will update the public regularly.”
To obtain the new card, beneficiaries must:
. Bring a valid South African ID or temporary ID.. Visit a Postbank site located at retailers such as Checkers, Shoprite, Pick n Pay, Usave or Boxer.. Note that card replacement is free.
Beneficiaries can initiate the card collection process by:. Dialing 120218*3#; Pressing 1 to continue; Selecting their province.
Benefits of the New Postbank Black Card
The new cards offer several advantages:. Immediate useability across all National Payment System channels;. one free card replacement per year;. three free withdrawals in stores monthly; and. one free monthly statement over the counter.
Contact information:
For further inquiries, beneficiaries can call Postbank on 0800 53 54 55 or Sassa on 0800 60 10 11.
