Last chance to swap Sassa gold cards as Postbank phases them out after August

Social grant beneficiaries still using Sassa gold cards have been urged to replace them with Postbank black cards before the cards are phased out, after Postbank said the gold cards will no longer be accepted for transactions after 30 August 2026.

Who should act and when

Postbank said the July social grant payment cycle will be the last opportunity for beneficiaries to use their Sassa gold cards before the permanent phase-out. The bank warned that beneficiaries who do not replace their gold cards before the end of August will be unable to access their grant payments with those cards.

How to get a replacement card

Postbank has been replacing Sassa gold cards with black cards since April 2026. Beneficiaries can collect black cards from Postbank service points located inside selected Shoprite, Checkers, Usave, Pick n Pay, Boxer and Spar stores.

To find the nearest collection point, beneficiaries can dial *120*355# from any cellphone. Postbank also provided a contact number for queries: 0800 53 54 55.

What to bring and practical details

Customers must bring a valid South African ID or a temporary ID to collect a card. Cards can be collected in any province, regardless of where the Sassa grant was originally approved.

Postbank said replacement is free of charge, requires no forms, and the new black cards work immediately after collection. Any balance on an existing gold card will automatically transfer to the new card.

Warnings and support

Postbank urged beneficiaries not to delay, noting that response to the replacement programme has been lower than expected and that leaving the swap to the last minute could lead to long queues and delays that may affect beneficiaries’ ability to receive grants.

The bank extended operating days at many card replacement sites to include Saturdays to ease the migration process, and encouraged those with lost or stolen gold cards or difficulties using them to replace cards before the deadline.

Official appeal

“We appeal to every grant beneficiary who has not yet migrated to the new black cards to use the July payment period to replace their Sassa gold cards,” said Postbank chief commercial officer Thami Cele. “Failure to do so will result in beneficiaries being unable to access their payments with their Sassa gold cards, as the cards have expired and will no longer be accepted in the payments system.”

Beneficiaries needing more information can contact Postbank on 0800 53 54 55 or dial *120*355# to locate the nearest collection point.