SASSA beneficiaries await card upgrades as deadline looms
With just weeks left until the new deadline, more than 2.4 million SASSA grant beneficiaries are still waiting for their gold cards to be upgraded. Postbank and SASSA ramp up efforts to clear the backlog, but long queues and access issues remain a challenge.
Postbank and the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) are intensifying efforts to clear the growing backlog of approximately 2.4 million grant beneficiaries who still need to upgrade their SASSA gold cards.
Despite some progress, only 550 000 of the 2.9 million cards requiring replacement have been processed so far, leaving a significant number of vulnerable recipients facing uncertainty.
The two agencies briefed Parliament on Tuesday, providing an update on the ongoing card replacement initiative, which has been marred by logistical challenges and long queues at designated service points.
ALSO READ: Deadline for SASSA cards extended to March 20
As of now, the deadline for completing the card upgrades has been extended to March 20, allowing additional time for all beneficiaries to receive their new cards and maintain uninterrupted access to their social grants.
SASSA’s acting CEO, Themba Matlou, addressed lawmakers, emphasising that significant efforts are being made to tackle the logistical issues, including the long wait times that have frustrated many beneficiaries.
“We have already spoken to many community members and traditional leadership to ensure that we have sufficient infrastructure, such as community halls and other facilities, to facilitate a smoother transition and avoid compromising the dignity of our beneficiaries,” said Matlou.
While the deadline extension offers some relief, it highlights the scale of the challenge faced by Postbank and SASSA in completing the card replacement process.
The upgrade was initially scheduled for completion late last year, but delays, compounded by technical issues and resource constraints, have set back efforts to replace all of the gold cards.
ALSO READ: SASSA gold cards expire on February 28
While the upgrades are designed to ensure beneficiaries can continue to receive their grants without disruption, some individuals face more difficult challenges in accessing the replacement process.
Several people, particularly the elderly, those with disabilities, or those dealing with health complications, have been unable to attend designated service points due to mobility issues or other barriers.
The Alberton Record has raised concerns from community members who have been unable to use the USSD code provided by SASSA for card replacements and those who face challenges in physically going to the centres to relevant departments.
As soon as the comment is received, the Alberton Record will inform our readers.
