Roll-out of new SASSA cards
Residents who receive grants from the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) might already know the old cards are being replaced by new cards.
POLOKWANE – Sassa is working closely with the South African Post Office (Sapo) to issued new cards to beneficiaries at local post offices.
Malatswa Molepa, Sassa Assistant Manager Client Services, addressed elderly residents at the recent Go Turquoise campaign at Bolivia Lodge in the city where he discussed the new card with them.
“Those who are bedridden can still apply for a grant. Your next of kin should visit the nearest Sassa offices and inform them about the situation after which they will send an official to the house to assist the beneficiary with the necessary paperwork and information about the card and the processes,” he said.
On some of the questions asked relating to the new cards, Molepa explained how the process will work.
“Sassa has signed a service agreement with Sapo to offer electronic banking services through a special disbursement account (SDA) to beneficiaries as one of the methods grants can be paid. Beneficiaries can also open an account at a bank of their choice. They will then use their own personal account to receive the grants. We encourage beneficiaries to open an account at their bank so that they get their money from the account. ”
The Sassa/Sapo card to be issued will be encrypted with Beneficiaries Bio-metrics.
“All the beneficiaries who get cash will receive new PIN-enabled Sassa cards. New beneficiaries will no longer be given an option of the cash payment. Those beneficiaries who are unable to manage a PIN-enabled card are encouraged to appoint procurators to assist them with transacting in the electronic environment. This can be done at any Sassa office. The process to change the old Sassa/CPS card for the new Sassa/Sapo cards will again commence this month.”
Molepa added that with the new Sassa card, beneficiaries will have three free merchant withdrawals, three card swipes at merchants, one mini-statement, one ATM balance per month, one full statement per month, one pin reset and one replacement card each year.
The changing will take place at identified venues and Sassa will inform beneficiaries of these locations through media like radio and newspapers.
