SASSA beneficiaries have until 31 August 2026 to replace their Gold Cards with Postbank Black Cards.
By Mapaballo Borotho

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has urged beneficiaries who still need to replace their Gold Cards with the new Postbank Black Cards to do so before the 31 August 2026 deadline.
The call follows a warning from Postbank that beneficiaries who fail to make the switch could experience difficulties accessing their grant payments, as concerns grow over long queues and a last-minute rush.
Phemelo Motene spoke to Postbank Chief Commercial Officer Thami Cele about what’s being done to avoid a repeat of last year’s rollout challenges and what beneficiaries need to know.
Cele said there are currently 280,000 beneficiaries who still need to replace their Gold Cards.
“We wouldn’t be doing justice if we didn’t appreciate all the beneficiaries who have already swapped their cards. We thank them and are calling on others not to be left behind. They need to hurry and get their Black Cards,” he said.
Cele said the Gold Cards will expire on 31 August, after which beneficiaries will no longer be able to access their funds using those cards.
“The biggest challenge is that if you do not change your card, you will not be able to access your funds. Your money will still be paid into your account; however, accessing that money will be a challenge, which can be inconvenient,” he added.
Listen to the podcast for the full discussion.
Steps to replace your SASSA Gold Card
- Dial *120*355# on your mobile phone to locate your nearest Postbank card replacement site.
- Replacing your Gold Card with a Postbank Black Card is free of charge.
- Take along a valid South African ID or a temporary identity document when replacing your card.
- Do not visit SASSA offices for Gold Card or Postbank Black Card payment enquiries. Instead, visit a nearby Postbank service point or contact the Postbank call centre for assistance.
- Card replacement sites operate Monday to Friday, from 09:00 to 17:00.
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