The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to social grants recipients who face challenges in replacing their SASSA expired gold card.
The SASSA Gold Card, which is issued by the Postbank, enables 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. Approximately 5.9 million social grants recipients currently transact through SASSA Gold cards with most of these cards set to expire by June 2023.
Options for Expired Gold Card Replacement
SASSA has assured beneficiaries that all payments will be processed as usual and that funds are secure in their bank accounts.
To avoid disruptions in accessing funds, clients have been provided with options for replacing their expired SASSA Gold Card.
These options include replacing the card at identified SAPO branches or alternative venues provided by Postbank or participating retailers or making use of Postbank’s cardless withdrawal option.
Alternatively, beneficiaries can also choose to utilize another bank’s services. To request a change of payment method to receive payments through personal bank accounts, clients need to provide proof of identity along with proof of bank account received from the bank or a three-month bank statement that shows client details such as names and accounts.
SASSA’s Commitment to Resolving the Issue
SASSA officials are available to help grant recipients resolve issues related to card replacements and changing payment methods. In response to an anticipated increase in requests for change of payment method, SASSA plans on increasing its capacity and extending its office operating hours for faster processing of these requests. Beneficiaries are advised not to request a change more than once per month as they have the right to do so but should exercise caution when doing so.
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.