THE Portfolio Committee on Social Development has welcomed a two-month extension for the validity of SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) gold cards, granting beneficiaries additional time to transition to Postbank’s black cards.

The extension, announced by Postbank and the Sassa, aims to ensure a smoother process as beneficiaries migrate to the new payment system.

The committee, however, issued a firm reminder that this extension was final. After May 2025, beneficiaries who have not swapped their gold cards for black cards will no longer be able to access their grants.

“The committee is with you in this journey of changing to the new black cards,” Chairperson Bridget Masango said. “Please get your black cards within this extended period to avoid the unbearable consequences of not accessing your grant without a black card.”

Postbank has also issued critical guidance for beneficiaries still holding gold cards. These individuals are advised not to use Post Office branches to access their grants during the transition period. Postbank also confirmed that cardless services were no longer available, and no beneficiaries have been registered for such services moving forward.

The committee has urged all Sassa beneficiaries to act swiftly and ensure they obtain their black cards before the deadline expires. With the extension set to conclude at the end of May 2025, the message is clear: delays could result in severe disruptions to grant payments.

Masango reiterated her appeal, saying: “This is a crucial step to secure uninterrupted access to your social grants. Do not wait until the last minute — act now to avoid unnecessary hardship.”

Beneficiaries were encouraged to visit their nearest Postbank branch or approved service points to facilitate the swap and ensure compliance with the new system. As the countdown begins, the committee remains committed to supporting beneficiaries through this transition, while emphasising the importance of adhering to the deadline.

For those relying on these grants as a lifeline, the stakes could not be higher. The call to action is urgent, and the message from both the committee and Postbank is unequivocal: The time to act is now.

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Deadline alert: SASSA beneficiaries must exchange gold cards for black cards now