The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has confirmed the indefinite suspension of Postbank’s black card issuance, urging beneficiaries still using SASSA gold cards to urgently make alternative banking arrangements to avoid payment disruptions.
According to SASSA and Postbank, the decision to halt the issuance of new black cards comes after a series of technical and logistical issues that have affected card functionality and service reliability. The black card was initially introduced as a replacement solution for the expiring SASSA gold card, which is used by millions of social grant beneficiaries across the country.
However, the black card rollout has now been suspended indefinitely, raising concerns about grant payment continuity for vulnerable recipients.
“SASSA is aware of the Postbank decision and urges all beneficiaries still using the gold card to consider switching to a bank account of their choice,” said a SASSA spokesperson.
Beneficiaries are encouraged to open bank accounts with any registered financial institution and submit their new banking details to SASSA via its online platform or nearest local office. This will ensure that monthly payments—such as the Older Person’s Grant, Child Support Grant, and the R350 SRD Grant—are not interrupted.
What Beneficiaries Should Do:
- Open a personal bank account with a recognised bank (e.g. Capitec, FNB, ABSA, Standard Bank, etc.)
- Update your SASSA banking details through https://srd.sassa.gov.za or at a SASSA office
- Ensure the account is registered in your name, as grants cannot be paid into someone else’s account
Postbank, in its public communication, acknowledged its system challenges and stated it is working on resolving them, but gave no timeline on when the black card program will resume.
This development has sparked renewed calls for reliable, inclusive, and accessible financial solutions for social grant recipients, many of whom live in remote and underserved areas.
SASSA reassures beneficiaries that their funds remain safe and accessible but emphasizes the importance of updating payment channels to avoid delays.
For queries or assistance, beneficiaries can contact the SASSA Toll-Free Line at 0800 60 10 11.
