The Payments Association of South Africa (PASA) has extended the validity of expired South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) gold cards until 31 December 2023.
Postbank confirmed the extension in a media statement on Saturday (29 April). The news will come as a huge relief to many social grants beneficiaries who may be unable to renew their cards on time.
Validity of expired SASSA gold cards extended
“This means that social grants recipients can continue using their expired cards for social grants payments transactions at ATMs and merchant Point of Sale (POS) withdrawals, and purchases without the need to collect new cards or switch to other banks,” Postbank explained.
“PASA has sent correspondence to all acquiring banks to ensure they are ready to accept expired SASSA/Postbank gold cards, and Postbank has concluded its own preparations. From the end of April, social grants recipients can collect their grants payments at their usual collection points using their expired SASSA/Postbank Gold Cards, regardless of the expiry date.”
Expired cards will continue having the same features and benefits, including three free purchases transactions per month. Post Office branches will also continue replacing lost or stolen cards. Those who prefer to use biometric verification will still get their payments from these branches.
“So, if you have an expired SASSA/Postbank gold card, you can rest assured that you will still receive your grants money without any disruption until the end of 2023,” the bank added.
Despite the extension of validity, Postbank is still going to replace SASSA/Postbank gold cards before the end of December 2023 in line with a South African Reserve Bank (SARB) directive.
“A new Postbank social grants payments card will be launched in line with the card replacement program. Social grants recipients using the SASSA/Postbank gold card will be notified as to when to come forward to collect new cards in line with the card replacement program in the next few weeks,” Postbank explained.
SASSA cardless grant payment method
In related news, Postbank has introduced a new way for recipients to receive their social grants without the SASSA card. In this cardless payment method, recipients with expired SASSA gold cards or those who haven’t collected their new cards can collect their grants at participating retailers. These retailers include Pick n Pay, Boxer, Shoprite, Usave and OK.
“To use this new payment method, SASSA beneficiaries just need to bring their ID documents and SASSA/Postbank gold card PIN to any of the participating retailers. At the till point, they will be asked to validate their identity and enter their cellphone number, and then enter their PIN to receive their payment. The process is fast, free, and safe, and beneficiaries can get assistance from cashiers if needed,” the bank said.
Follow the steps below to receive your grant at any participating retailer without your SASSA card:
- Bring your cellphone, ID document and have your SASSA/Postbank gold card PIN ready.
- Go to the till point and provide your ID and cellphone number to verify your identity as a registered grant beneficiary.
- You’ll receive a confirmation message on your phone (you don’t need to have airtime).
- Enter your SASSA/gold card PIN (the same one used for ATM withdrawals).
- The cashier will give you the requested amount of money.
The new cardless payment method will be available as from Thursday, 4 May 2023. It will help reduce the card renewal or replacement queues at Post Office branches countrywide.
For further information on the decision to extend the validity of expired SASSA gold cards as well as the new cardless payment method, watch an interview with Postbank spokesperson Dr Bongani Diako on YouTube here.
1 Comment
I went to pick a pay today ,with granny it shows card expired an declined