Sassa card holders urged to go gold

SOCIAL grant beneficiaries in Kimberley and the Northern Cape who have already swopped their old white Sassa card with the new gold card, have been advised that their social grant will be available from tomorrow at ATMs, supermarkets and South African Post Office outlets.

The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) said yesterday that some beneficiaries were, however, still holding onto their old white Sassa card. “This will not help them or us, at all,” Sassa spokesperson, Inno Khunou, said yesterday.

“It is common knowledge that the Cash Paymaster Services (CPS) contract was extended by the Constitutional Court only until September 30, 2018 and this card swopping process was done to ensure a seamless transition from CPS to the South African Post Office (Sapo),” Khunou said.

“Beneficiaries who have not swopped their old white Sassa card with the new one, will have to visit the post office or their nearest Sassa local office to first swop their old card for the new gold card before they can receive their September grant.”

To swop their old white card to the new gold card, beneficiaries are required to bring along their old white Sassa card as well as their Identity Document or smartcard, but not a copy thereof.

“Once they have received their new gold Sassa card, beneficiaries will be able to access their money at any post office, supermarkets and ATMs using their PIN. Beneficiaries who forget their PIN can visit their nearest Sassa local office or Sapo branch to be assisted to reset their PINs.”

Khunou said that in the Northern Cape, Sassa was urging beneficiaries to draw their social grant promptly as the money would be available tomorrow. “This will afford us enough time to deal with any unforeseen challenges in the run-up to the end of September.”

Khunou pointed out that beneficiaries using their personal bank accounts for their grants were not affected by the card swop, unless they wanted to change from their personal bank to the new Sassa card or vice versa.

“In that instance, they have to approach Sassa or the Sapo with their Sassa card and ID,” she said.