The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has announced that Postbank will no longer manage social grant payments as of December 2025. This major change affects millions of beneficiaries who currently receive their SASSA payments through Postbank accounts and Gold Cards.
What This Means for SASSA Beneficiaries
Approximately 2 million beneficiaries, mainly Older Persons Grant recipients, will be impacted by this transition. SASSA advises all clients currently using Postbank Gold Cards to switch to new payment methods as soon as possible to avoid disruptions.
- After December 2025, Postbank-linked SASSA Gold Cards will become inactive and cannot be used for ATM withdrawals, balance checks, or store purchases.
- Beneficiaries are encouraged to obtain the Postbank Black Card or another valid payment method accepted by SASSA.
- Postbank has confirmed it will fulfill all existing payment obligations until its contracts end, after which services will be discontinued.
November 2025 Social Grant Payment Schedule
- Older Persons Grant: 4 November 2025
- Disability Grant: 5 November 2025
- Child Support Grant: 6 November 2025
Transition and Safety Precautions
- Beneficiaries should visit their nearest Postbank branch, Checkers, Shoprite, or Pick n Pay to collect a replacement card.
- Bring a valid South African ID or a temporary ID document when requesting a new card.
- SASSA urges beneficiaries to ignore messages asking for personal or banking information — these may be scam attempts.
Summary Table – November 2025 Payment Transition
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Affected Beneficiaries | ~2 million recipients using Postbank Gold Cards |
| End of Agreement Date | December 2025 |
| November 2025 Payment Dates | Older Persons – 4 Nov; Disability – 5 Nov; Child Support – 6 Nov |
| Required Action | Switch to new payment cards before contract ends |
| Card Replacement Locations | Postbank branches, Checkers, Shoprite, Pick n Pay |
| Identification Needed | South African ID or Temporary ID |
FAQs
Q1: Will my SASSA payments be affected when Postbank stops working with SASSA?
Yes. If you still use a Postbank-linked SASSA Gold Card, you must switch to a new payment method to continue receiving your grant.
Q2: Where can I collect my new payment card?
New cards can be collected from Postbank branches or major retailers such as Checkers, Shoprite, and Pick n Pay.
Q3: When are the November 2025 payment dates?
Older Persons Grant – 4 November; Disability Grant – 5 November; Child Support Grant – 6 November 2025.
This transition marks a major update in South Africa’s social grant payment system. Beneficiaries are urged to take quick action to avoid interruptions and ensure continued access to their payments. Stay updated through official SASSA channels for verified announcements and guidance.
