How Sassa recipients can access grants after gold cards deadline

Postbank reveals that Sassa beneficiaries can still access their grants after the 20 March gold card swapping deadline.

SASSA BENEFICIARIES CAN WITHDRAW FUNDS AFTER DEADLINE

Ground Up revealed this week that nearly 1.9 million SASSA gold card holders still need to switch to the Postbank Black Card before the 20 March deadline.

Postbank has admitted that completing the transition from the Gold card to Postbank’s black card before the 20 March deadline is unlikely.

Postbank’s Chief Operating Officer, Eurekha Singh confirmed to the publication that there’s no intention to extend the deadline.

“That is not within our control, so the card replacement must be completed by 31 March. We’ve set a deadline of 20 March because we must submit evidence to the Reserve Bank that the Gold Cards are out of circulation by 31 March,” says Singh.

Singh also clarified that SASSA beneficiaries will still be able to access their grants through the Post Office and through cardless cash withdrawals at retailers after the 20 March deadline.

THE END OF GOLD CARDS

Postbank began the process of replacing SASSA gold cards with the new Postbank black cards in September 2024.  

EWN reported in February 2025 that Gold card holders can replace their cards at no cost at retailers such as Checkers, Usave, Boxer, Pick n Pay and Shoprite. Beneficiaries are required to bring their ID or temporary ID to replace their old cards.

Postbank’s CEO Nikki Mbengash shared with the publication that it might be difficult to access your funds if your card has not been replaced.

“Your money that you get from SASSA is not affected at all, it will still go into your bank account. The difficulty will be accessing that if your card is not working.”

HAVE YOU SWAPPED YOUR SASSA GOLD CARD YET?

Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.

Subscribe to The South African website’s newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.