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Parliament Welcomes SASSA Gold Card Validity Extension

Parliament Welcomes SASSA Gold Card Validity Extension. The Portfolio Committee on Social Development has officially welcomed the extension of the validity period of SASSA Gold Cards, offering a critical lifeline to over a million South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) grant beneficiaries whose cards were set to expire. The extension, granted by Postbank, ensures continued access to social grant payments during the transition to the new Postbank Black Card system.

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Why the Extension Was Crucial for Beneficiaries

Millions of South Africans depend on monthly social grant payments to support their basic needs. These include:

Older Persons pension grant
Disability grant
War Veterans grant
Care Dependency grant
Foster Child grant
Child Support grant
Child Support Top-Up grant
Grant-in-aid

According to official figures, SASSA processes over 18 million permanent grant payments every month. Over 3 million recipients have used SASSA Gold Cards to access these funds. Without the extension, more than one million people would have been at risk of being cut off from their social assistance.

SASSA Gold Cards

Postbank has made it clear: SASSA Gold Cards will officially expire at the end of May 2025. This two-month extension is final, and there will be no further deadline extensions. Beneficiaries must replace their gold cards with Postbank Black Cards within this grace period.

Gold cards expired: 20 March 2025
Extension granted: Valid until 31 May 2025
Final date to switch to black card: Before end of May 2025

Transition to Postbank Black Cards

The Postbank Black Card was introduced in 2024 as part of a nationwide upgrade to enhance security, improve access, and streamline the payment process for SASSA beneficiaries. Chairperson Bridget Masango urged citizens not to delay:

“Please get your black cards within this extended period to avoid the unbearable consequences of not accessing your grant without a black card.”

The rollout was meant to be smooth and inclusive, ensuring no disruption to grant payments. However, beneficiaries were surprised earlier in 2025 when SASSA confirmed that gold cards would stop working by end of February. This created confusion and concern across communities, leading to parliamentary calls for an extension.

Parliament’s Reaction to the Rollout

Despite the extension, parliament has voiced dissatisfaction with Postbank’s handling of the transition process. The inefficiency and lack of preparedness in rolling out the new black cards drew criticism, especially considering the high stakes involved in social welfare support.

The Portfolio Committee has emphasized the need for:

Better communication with beneficiaries
Increased card distribution capacity
Improved accessibility in rural and remote areas

Updated Notices from Postbank

In light of the new deadline and ongoing confusion, Postbank has issued several key updates for beneficiaries:

Do Not Visit Post Offices for Grant Payments
- Post Office-based payments were temporarily reintroduced after gold cards expired in March. This method has now been withdrawn.
No Cardless Payments Available
- Cardless services have been permanently discontinued. Postbank has clarified that no beneficiaries are currently registered for cardless payments.
Replace Gold Cards Urgently
- All beneficiaries using SASSA gold cards must visit a Postbank-approved location to collect and activate their new black card.

What Should Beneficiaries Do Now?

To avoid losing access to grant payments, all SASSA beneficiaries still using expired or soon-to-expire gold cards must act immediately:

Visit a designated Postbank site with valid identification
Ensure all your contact and personal details are up to date
Collect and activate your Postbank Black Card
Avoid third-party agents or unauthorized service providers

Conclusion

SASSA Gold Card validity extension until May 31, 2025, is a temporary relief, not a permanent solution. With over a million people still needing to convert to the Postbank Black Card, time is running out.