Social grant beneficiaries, who are still using the old South Africa Social Security Agency (SASSA) cards, are urged to go swap their old cards for the new cards this weekend.
The South African Post Office (SAPO) and SASSA will on 16 and 17 May conduct a nationwide blitz in more than 70 dedicated card swap venues throughout the country.
SAPO Chief Operations Officer, Lindiwe Kwele, urged SASSA beneficiaries to take advantage of these extended operating periods over weekends and swap their cards before the end of August to avoid the 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,” Kwele said.
The old SASSA card will be fully phased-out by 30 September 2018.
Protecting beneficiaries
The new SASSA card is issued by the SA 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 new SASSA card operates fully within the national payment systems and it 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 enquiry per month.
No service charges
Kwele assured beneficiaries that they will get their grant in full and not be charged R10 per month, or any such ‘service fee’.
“It is important for beneficiaries to know which card will cost, and how much, when exercising their choice. 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. It is really your choice,” Kwele explained.
For the full list of venues where card swaps are done this weekend, visit: http://www.postoffice.co.za/Newsroom/Pressreleases/2018/sassacardswop1617june18.pdf.
For updates during nationwide blitz, follow at @SAgovnews, @OfficialSASSA, @GovernmentZA, @The_DSD, @GCISMedia. Join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #NewSASSACard. – SAnews.gov.za
South Africa Today – South Africa News
