The SASSA Gold Card expiration date has arrived, but the Western Cape MEC for Social Development Jaco Londt has urged grant beneficiaries not to panic. There are still options available to make the switch. The Gold Cards will become obsolete from today, 20 March.
Beneficiaries’ money is secured, but they will not be able to withdraw money or make purchases, with the old cards after today.
Beneficiaries are advised to go to their nearest Post Office with their ID and cellphone to withdraw cash from the old cards. The same applies for April’s grant payment dates.
According to SASSA, about 102,000 people in the Western Cape have switched to Postbank Black Cards, while over 44,000 have changed to banks. More than 174,000 people still have Gold Cards.
According to Londt, Postbank has given beneficiaries until the end of June to switch over to their Black Cards.
He also encouraged people to consider going to their bank and local SASSA office to change their payment method and have their grants paid directly into their bank accounts.
“Public representatives, banks, civil society, and even retailers have been doing a tremendous job of helping beneficiaries open their own bank accounts and submit forms to SASSA. These outreaches must continue, so that all beneficiaries are able to access their grants with the next payment cycle.”
Meanwhile, Postbank says from today, 20 March it will be increasing the service points for card migration in the Western Cape.
These are the sites currently active:
- Pick n Pay Parow
- Shoprite Parow
- Boxer Philipi
- USave Bellville
- Shoprite Bayside Mall
- Shoprite Thembalethu (George)
- Shoprite Eeseteriver
- Shoprite Gugulethu
- Shoprite Khayelitsha
- Shoprite Vredenburg
- Shoprite Strand
- Shoprite Adderley
- Boxer Mitchell’s Plain
- Shoprite George
- Pick n Pay Paarl
- Pick n Pay Vangate
- Pick n Pay Mitchells plain
- Shoprite Worcestor
- Usave (Caledon)
- Pick n Pay Beaufort West
- Shoprite Oudsthroon
- Shoprite Vredendal
- Usave Prince Albert
- Usave Swellendam
- Roving team 1
- Roving team 2
Sites expected to go live from 20 March:
28. Spar Khayelitsha
29. Spar Hilltop
30. Spar Saldanha
31. Spar Langebaan
32. Spar Vredendaal
33. Spar Eesterriver
34. Spar Clanwilliam
35. SUPER Spar Zevenwacht
36. SPAR Cape Station
37. SPAR Wynberg
38. SUPER Spar Gugulethu
39. SUPER Spar Vangate
40. SaveMor Worcester
41. SUPER Belhar
42. SaveMor Marina
The MEC says Postbank will be prioritising the USave in St Helena Bay, and the Overberg and Garden Route regions.
They are also planning outreaches in Grabouw and Hermanus next week.
“We will communicate the details of these outreaches and where the roving teams will be on social media, as the information becomes available from Postbank. We will also monitor the activities to ensure that they stick to their commitments.”
Londt has reiterated his call on beneficiaries not to wait to change their payment method or change to the Postbank Black Card.
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