SASSA Card Renewal Process [2024]

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) offers various social grants. The beneficiaries can use different methods to receive their grant payment. It is observed that around 48% of grant holders collect their grants in cash from Pick-n-Pay points, retailers, or ATMs using the SASSA gold cards. If your SASSA card validity is expired then SASSA card renewal must be done.

If your SASSA card is expired and you want the SASSA card renewal in 2024 then there is good news for you. SASSA has decided to extend the card validity and hence announced that SASSA gold cards will be valid for another new year. Previously, it was set to expire on December 31, 2023, but because of this extension, you can still receive your grant payments using a gold card throughout 2024. It remains valid until you receive any further notice from SASSA.

In this article, I have covered the complete process of how to renew your SASSA card, which post offices to visit, the documents required, the deadline, etc. Let’s see everything in detail:

SASSA Card Validity

The grant holders who are eligible for various social grants have been provided with the SASSA grants card. These cards are used to collect the grant payment in cash from retailers or cash collection points. Previously, these cards were valid for a certain period and hence required to be renewed for further use. In the last week, Postbank of South Africa announced that there will be no expiration date for SASSA gold cards. But the cardholders have to renew them for further usage.

Dr. Bongani Diako (Postbank’s head of communication) said:

This important development means that millions of social grant beneficiaries do not have to change their SASSA gold cards to the cards of the other banks.

The extension of the SASSA gold card’s validity ensures continuity for beneficiaries, and they do not have to endure the inconvenience and expenses of changing their gold cards to other payment methods that are often costly

Postbank’s head of communication, Dr Bongani Diako

This extension by Postbank is just a temporary solution as the mass replacement of millions of cards is logistically challenging. The SASSA committee and Postbank are developing a comprehensive solution for the future SASSA card renewal process to make it smooth and efficient for all cardholders.

Important Things To Know Before You Renew Your Expired SASSA Card

Though the expiry date of the SASSA gold card is extended, you need to renew the card for further usage. Before you renew your gold cards, keep these points in mind –

1) You must be eligible for the grant

SASSA cards are only meant to receive your grant payments. So you must be eligible for the SASSA grants. If you are not further eligible for SASSA grants then there is no use in renewing your card.

2) Only Postbank can renew Your SASSA card

To renew your gold card, you have to visit the Postbank office. Only Postbank can renew your SASSA grant cards. Other banks don’t have authorization for SASSA card renewal. Dr. Bongani Diako (Postbank’s head of communication) has already stated:

The Postbank is the only bank mandated to replace Sassa gold cards. These gold cards will be valid post-December 2023, and beneficiaries may continue to use them as normal.

– Dr. Bongani Diako

3) You have to visit the post office in person for card renewal

To renew your SASSA gold card, visit your nearest Post office branch in person. There is no online procedure for renewal.

So before you renew your SASSA card, keep these points in mind to ensure a smooth process.

How SASSA Card Renewal Is Done? – Step-By-Step Guide

If you don’t know how to renew your SASSA card, then don’t worry I have shared the complete process of renewing your SASSA card –

Step 1) – Gather required documents

To renew your SASSA grant card, you have to submit some documents including:

Identity document
Your expired SASSA card
Your address proof
Utility bills

Step 2) – Visit your nearest South African Postbank office

As said above, you can renew your SASSA card only at the Postbank office. So contact your nearest SASSA branch and tell officials that you want to renew the SASSA card.

Step 3) – Identity verification and form completion

Once you visit the SASSA office, the officials will ask you for the required documents for identity verification. On successful verification, you will get the SASSA card renewal form. Complete that form, and SASSA officials will guide you through the complete renewal process and the required steps.

Step 4) – Fill out the form

You have to fill the given form with the correct and true details. It’s important to provide the correct and updated details. False or incorrect information may lead to rejection of your card.

Step 5) – Submit the application form and get a receipt

Once your SASSA card renewal form is completed, submit it to the SASSA representatives. You will get the submission receipt from the officials. Use this receipt to collect your SASSA gold card. You will receive a notification once your SASSA card is renewed. You can collect your SASSA card from the South Africa Post Office (SAPO) or Postbank branch.

Just like your debit card, once you receive your SASSA grant card, you have to activate it. Follow the instructions given on the card to activate it. For security reasons, every SASSA card has a security PIN. Keep this PIN secret, and never share it with anyone to avoid any threat.

Voila! It’s done. Your SASSA card renewal process is completed and your SASSA gold card is ready to use. You can use this card at any ATM or South African bank. You can also use this card at retail outlets, and Pick n Pay points like Shoprite, Boxer, Spar, and Usave.

Note – Some days ago, news was circulating that when beneficiaries visited the retail shops to withdraw money, merchants were forcing them to purchase to receive their grant money.

When this concern was raised, SASSA clearly stated that beneficiaries should report such shops or retail outlets that force them to buy goods or anything before paying their SASSA grants money. Your grant money is only meant for you and you have every right to use the money as you wish.

What Are The Benefits of the SASSA Grant Card?

There are various benefits of using the SASSA gold card as your grant payment method, which includes:

Secure and easy access to grant money: If you don’t want to carry cash with you and want money on the go, then using a SASSA gold card you can access your money at any ATM or retail shop. It avoids the risk of theft or financial loss.
Easy online payments: SASSA card can be used to make any online payments like electricity bills, SABC TV license, or any other government services. It helps you to make any payments from anywhere at your convenience.
Free transaction statements: When you use the SASSA gold card at Postbank or any partnered retail shops, you get the first withdrawal for free. You can also check your balance for free and get 3 monthly mini-statements for free.

These are some of the main benefits that you get from using the SASSA grant card. There are other benefits too. Using the SASSA card makes your life more financially secure and helps you focus on your life without worrying too much.

What if I want to receive my grant payment directly into my bank account?

Receiving your money directly in cash is a good choice for people who don’t have a bank account or who want the grant money in cash. This method is very secure and convenient for many people. But if you are someone looking to get your money directly in your bank account then you need to update your bank details in the SASSA portal.

Once you update your payment method, you will start to receive the funds before the 15th of each month.

What if I Lost My SASSA Gold Card?

If you have lost your SASSA grant card, then firstly you must block your card. Contact the SASSA officials and ask them to block your card. After that file a First Information Report (FIR) at your local police station. This will help you in avoiding the potential financial loss.

Once you have done the above procedure, the next step is reapplying for the SASSA grant card. For that, visit your nearest Postbank office with the FIR copy and follow the same procedure that I have discussed above to apply for a new SASSA card. The complete procedure is the same, except you need the FIR copy.

So when you visit the Postbank office, inform the officials that you have lost your old SASSA grants card and you are applying for a new card.

FAQs

To renew your SASSA grant card, you can visit any post office in your region. Just take the necessary documents with you when you visit the office.

You have to submit your identity document, proof of residence, expired SASSA card, and utility bills to renew your SASSA card.

Previously, the SASSA cards were going to expire in December 2023. However as the mass renewal of cards was not possible, Postbank extended the card’s validity for a further one year.

If your SASSA card is expired then you have to renew it as soon as possible to receive the grant payments without any interruption.

You can’t apply for a new SASSA card online. You have to visit the nearest Postbank office to get a new SASSA card.

You have to pay the new SASSA card fee which is R26 to Post office staff along with the required documents.

SASSA provides you with flexibility and convenience in choosing the payment method. You can choose direct bank transfer if you don’t want to use the SASSA gold card.

You can use your SASSA card for online payment of various services and also to buy groceries at till points.

No, SASSA cards will not be discontinued, as many beneficiaries use these cards to receive the grant payment.

Conclusion

In this article, we have seen the complete SASSA card renewal process. Many people use SASSA gold cards to receive their grant payments. That’s why it is important to renew your expired SASSA cards. To renew your SASSA card you have to visit the Postbank office in person. The recent extension of SASSA card validity has provided relief to the millions of grant beneficiaries for instant renewal.

Beneficiaries can use their SASSA grant cards for another year 2024 without any issue. This extension was given due to the mass replacement of the SASSA card. Postbank is planning, how these cards can be renewed and going to share the update as soon as possible. You must check out our blog section regularly to stay updated with the latest SASSA news.