Parliament Welcomes SASSA Gold Card Validity Extension
Parliament Welcomes SASSA Gold Card Validity Extension. In a major relief for millions of vulnerable South Africans, Parliament has officially welcomed the extension of the SASSA Gold Card validity period.
This development brings temporary peace of mind to more than one million South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) beneficiaries who were at risk of losing access to their monthly social grants.
The Portfolio Committee on Social Development, chaired by Bridget Masango, commended the move and urged all beneficiaries to act swiftly during this final extension period.
Why Was the SASSA Gold Card Extension Necessary?
The SASSA Gold Card, once a secure and trusted payment method for social grant beneficiaries, was due to expire in February 2025, sparking panic among recipients. Over 3 million South Africans rely on this card to receive their monthly grants, which include:
- Older Persons Pension Grant
- Disability Grant
- War Veterans Grant
- Care Dependency Grant
- Foster Child Grant
- Child Support Grant
- Child Support Grant Top-Up
- Grant-in-Aid
When the cards expired in March 2025, more than a million grant beneficiaries faced uncertainty, until a temporary solution was announced.
Postbank Black Card
To resolve the issue, Postbank launched the Postbank Black Card rollout in 2024 as the official successor to the SASSA Gold Card. Initially, it was promised that no SASSA Gold Cards would expire until every beneficiary had received their new black card. However, the deadline was later moved to February 2025, with cards finally expiring on 20 March 2025.
Replace Your SASSA Gold Card by May 2025
Postbank has now set a final expiry date of 31 May 2025 for the SASSA Gold Cards. This extension is non-negotiable, and there will be no alternative method for accessing grants after this date.
“Please get your black cards within this extended period to avoid the unbearable consequences of not accessing your grant without a black card,” said Committee Chairperson Bridget Masango.
Changes in Grant Collection: What You Need to Know
Beneficiaries must also note some key changes in grant collection procedures:
- No more cardless services: Postbank has confirmed that no grant recipients are registered for cardless withdrawals. This option is no longer available.
- Post Office no longer an option: The use of the Post Office for collecting grants using expired gold cards was allowed temporarily in March but has now been completely withdrawn.
- Direct card usage only: From now on, only the new Postbank Black Cards can be used to access social grants.
Where to Get Your New Postbank Black Card
If your gold card has expired or is about to, you should visit a Postbank branch or a designated SASSA grant payment point to replace it. Make sure to bring your original ID document and expired gold card for verification.
Beneficiaries must not delay. The extension is a final grace period, and missing the May deadline could cut you off from social grant payments.
Criticism of the Rollout
Despite the extension, Postbank’s black card rollout has been heavily criticized. Parliament referred to the process as “inefficient and poorly managed”, citing long queues, limited public communication, and logistical delays in delivering the cards.
Beneficiaries in rural and under-resourced areas have particularly struggled to access replacement cards, adding to the urgency of the situation.
SASSA Beneficiaries
Important Update Action RequiredSASSA Gold Cards Expire31 May 2025Replacement CardPostbank Black CardWhere to Get ItPostbank branches or payment pointsCardless ServicesNo longer available post Office AccessNo longer supported required DocumentsID and expired gold card
Conclusion
As we move deeper into 2025, the focus must be on ensuring that every SASSA beneficiary secures their Postbank Black Card before the final deadline. With over 18 million permanent grant payments processed each month, smooth and uninterrupted access to these funds is crucial for millions of families.
