Expired gold Sassa cards still active, officials assure public

Pasa announced last month it had extended the validity of expired Sassa/Postbank gold cards until 31 December.

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The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has assured social grant beneficiaries with gold cards they can still receive their grants without any disruptions until the end of the year.

This follows a call made by Sassa last month to all those with gold cards which have expired or are about to expire to collect their new gold cards at post offices across the country.

However, the Payment Association of South Africa (Pasa) announced last month it had extended the validity of expired Sassa/Postbank gold cards until 31 December.

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Cards can be used

And Sassa’s Gauteng and Mpumalanga executive manager Themba Matlou has also urged beneficiaries with gold cards not to panic, as their cards will only expire at the end of the year.

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This means beneficiaries can continue using their expired cards for social grants payment transactions at ATMs and merchant point of sale withdrawals and purchases, without the need to collect new cards or switch to other banks.

“We would like to inform all social grant beneficiaries with gold cards that have expired and those that are about to expire not to be worried, as the cards’ validity has been extended to end of December 2023,” said Matlou.

Matlou said recipients were entitled to a payment channel of their choice.

“They can still visit Sassa offices to change the method of payment so they can get their money at their own personal banks. This card can be used at any ATM and machines,” she added.

No food parcels

Meanwhile, the social security agency has warned the public against an advertisement announcing that the social security agency is giving out food parcel vouchers.

The advertisement on social media claims that over 980 000 people will receive food parcel vouchers this year. “Please be alert of the fake information which does not come from Sassa.

The agency is not giving out any food parcel vouchers,” Sassa said.

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