Postbank has confirmed this week that SASSA Gold Cards will continue to work beyond 31 May 2025.
This was after a frantic scramble earlier this year as Postbank warned that Gold Cards would become obsolete.
But grant beneficiaries who have not yet migrated to the Postbank Black Cards will now continue to be paid their SASSA grants in the SASSA Gold cards until further notice.
SASSA Gold Cards will continue to work across all payment systems, including ATM’s and Point Of Sale (POS) machines.
Beneficiaries can also continue to withdraw cash at all Postbank’s partner retail stores and can continue swiping for purchases.
It comes as Postbank temporarily suspended the distribution of new Black Cards at its sites until further notice.
This, however, has no impact on anyone who currently has a Postbank Black Card, as that card will also continue to work as per normal.
Postbank CEO Nikki Mbengashe says the delay will ensure that all beneficiaries will eventually switch, without the threat of card expiration hanging over their heads.
“In keeping with our commitment that we made that Postbank will ensure that no beneficiary will be left with no access to their grants and that there will be no disruptions in payments of grants, Gold Cards will continue to work until every beneficiary is transitioned to the new black card. We are therefore hopeful and confident that this announcement addresses any concern relating to the payments of any beneficiaries that may not have yet obtained their Black Cards.”
In light of all the recent confusion, and back and forth on card expiry deadlines, Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Social Development, and the Western Cape Government have called on beneficiaries to switch to a commercial bank of their choice as soon as possible.
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But Mbengashe says beneficiaries are “strongly advised to ignore any call” that they must change banks, as this is unnecessary.
While the distribution of new Black Cards has been put on hold, Postbank card distribution sites will remain open and available to beneficiaries to access the following services:
- PIN resets
- Reissuing of Black Cards for any beneficiary who has experienced a lost/stolen card incident
- Beneficiaries seeking to register for the cardless payment alternative.
