Claiming your April SASSA grant without a Postbank black card
Will SASSA beneficiaries who haven’t switched to the Postbank-issued black cards receive their social grants for April?
Postbank and the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) have confirmed that all social grant beneficiaries will continue to be paid, including those who have not been able to switch to the new black cards.
Beneficiaries have until 20 March to switch from the SASSA-issued gold card to the Postbank-issued black card. The deadline for the validity of the SASSA-issued gold cards was initially set for 31 December 2023. However, it was postponed to December 2024 and later to 28 February 2025, and to 20 March 2025. A considerable number of beneficiaries reportedly had not yet switched to the Postbank black cards.
ALL ABOUT APRIL SASSA GRANTS AND THE POSTBANK BLACK CARD
During a media briefing on Monday, 17 March, Postbank CEO Nikki Mbengashe said starting from the next grant payments that are scheduled for 3 to 5 April 2025 and onwards, social grant beneficiaries that are yet to replace their gold cards with Postbank black cards, can withdraw their grant at their nearest South African Post Office.
“There are currently 543 Post Office branches countrywide that we are working with. All that one will need to make this withdrawal is their ID (green barcoded ID, smart card ID, or temporary ID),” Mbengashe said.
It’s important to note, the Post Office branch payments will be restricted to social grant beneficiaries that are yet to replace their SASSA gold cards, asylum seekers and Postbank green Mzansi/blue cards’ grant beneficiaries.
Beneficiaries who already have Postbank black cards are urged to use their card through ATMs and retailers to access their funds.
NO BENEFICIARY WILL BE ABLE TO USE THE GOLD CARD AFTER 20 MARCH
As mentioned above, the SASSA-issued gold cards will stop working on 20 March and no beneficiary will be able to make any transaction.
Postbank and SASSA emphasised that no beneficiary would be able to use the card to buy or withdraw cash inside stores. Additionally, retailers would not accept the cards for any transactions, and any attempts will result in automatic system transaction declines.
“Beneficiaries would not be able to use SASSA gold cards on any ATM. The card may be swallowed when inserted in any ATM to attempt a transaction,” the entities warned.