THE South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) cardholders, who are still using the old SASSA card, which will be fully phased out by September 30, this year, should swap their old card for a new one.
In a statement, SA Post Office (SAPO) advised SASSA beneficiaries to swap their cards before end of August to avoid a last minute rush.
“We have deployed resources throughout the country to ensure that as many people as possible are put onto the new SASSA cards before the end of August. As a result, people should not leave it to the last minute to swap their cards.
“It takes approximately three minutes to be issued with a new card once you reach the card issue desk on site, so, it is a very swift process,” said SAPO’s chief operating officer Lindiwe Kwele.
According to the statement, the new SASSA card is issued by the Post Office’s Postbank and it has been specifically designed to prevent challenges with the illegal deductions that left many beneficiaries out of pocket in the past years.
“The only deductions that will be allowed on the new SASSA card will be for funeral policies on non-child grants, which should also not be more than 10% of the total grant,” the statement read.
The new SASSA card which operates fully within the national payment systems has the following exciting benefits:
. Three cash withdrawals from any participating merchant (such as Shoprite, Boxer, etc).
. One free over-the-counter cash at the Post Office.
. Free swipes (purchase payments) at all merchants.
. One free ATM balance inquiry per month.
SAPO said beneficiaries will not be charged R10 per month or any such ‘service fee’, when using the new SASSA card, so, a person gets their grant in full.
“The new SASSA card is yellowish to gold in colour. You can still change to the new SASSA card even if you unwittingly accepted another card recently,” Kwele concluded.
SASSA beneficiaries should contact their nearest SASSA office for more information.
