Expiry of SASSA Gold Cards and Impact on Recipients
The SASSA Gold Card, which is issued by the Postbank, allows grant recipients to transact using the card and PIN code within the National Payment System (NPS) at various locations such as banks’ ATMs, SAPO branches, retailers, and Cash Pay Points (CPP).
As per the law, all VISA and MasterCards expire after every 5 years, and SASSA has approximately 5.9 million social grants recipients who currently transact through the SASSA Gold cards, with the majority of these cards set to expire by June 2023.
Options for Card Replacement
SASSA has assured recipients that all client payments will be processed as normal, and the funds are safely stored in the client’s bank accounts. To avoid any disruptions in accessing these funds, recipients have been provided with options to replace their expired SASSA Gold Card.
These options include replacing the card at identified SAPO branches or alternative venues provided by Postbank, participating retailers, or making use of the cardless withdrawal option provided by Postbank.
Alternatively, recipients can also choose to utilize the services of another bank. In order to request a change of payment method, recipients will need to visit their nearest local SASSA office or alternative venue specifically designated for this project.
For social grants recipients who prefer to receive their payments through their personal bank account, SASSA has outlined the documents that need to be submitted to mandate SASSA to pay the beneficiary social grant into the chosen personal bank account.
These documents include proof of bank account received from the bank or a three months bank statement that depicts the personal details of the client such as names and bank accounts, along with proof of identity.
SASSA emphasizes that there is no limit to how many times beneficiaries can change their method of payment, as it is their right to do so. However, beneficiaries are advised to request the change of payment method only once a month.
SASSA’s Commitment to Resolving the Issue
SASSA officials are ready to assist grant recipients in exercising their rights and resolving any issues related to card replacements. In order to accommodate an expected increase in requests for change of payment method, SASSA has expressed its intention to increase its capacity and extend its office operating hours for faster processing of these requests.
In conclusion, SASSA has acknowledged the challenges faced by social grants recipients with regard to the replacement of their expired SASSA gold cards and has apologized for the inconvenience caused.
Recipients have been provided with options to replace their cards and are encouraged to visit their nearest SASSA office or alternative venue for assistance. SASSA is committed to resolving the issue and has plans to increase its capacity to accommodate the needs of its beneficiaries.
