Postbank has sent a final appeal to approximately 80,000 social grant recipients who have not yet switched from SASSA gold cards to black cards. This call came less than five days before the deadline of August 31.
The bank emphasized that the deadline will not be extended and strongly recommended that affected recipients complete the migration as soon as possible to avoid disruptions in the payment of grants. Since the start of the process in 2025, over 1.8 million recipients have already switched to black cards.
The final phase of the migration, which began in April 2026, targeted about 420,000 recipients, of whom less than 80,000 remain. Most of these incomplete migrations are concentrated in the KwaZulu-Natal province, where about 20,000 recipients still need to change their card. This is followed by the Western Cape with 17,000, the Eastern Cape with 15,000, and Gauteng with 14,000.
What happens if the deadline is missed?
Postbank's Chief Commercial Officer, Thami Sele, stated that the bank aims to ensure that recipients do not face payment interruptions, which many households depend on. He noted: 'Our priority as a state bank responsible for financial inclusion is to ensure that no recipient experiences disruptions in grant payments, which we know they depend on deeply.'
Sele added: 'We understand that grant payments are an important source of livelihood for many families, and we want to ensure that no one is unfairly inconvenienced; therefore, we are making this final special appeal to all remaining recipients to complete their migration within the remaining period, which is less than five days.'
Postbank reported that it has implemented additional operational measures at card replacement points to meet the increased demand in the final days of the migration. Recipients who have not yet changed their cards can visit the nearest Postbank card replacement point, where they will be assisted with the process.
The bank also stressed that recipients who miss the August 31 deadline will still receive their social grants, and their accounts will remain active after that date. However, before accessing the funds, affected recipients must first complete the transition to a black card. Postbank plans to keep most of its card replacement points open for some time after the deadline to assist those who did not manage to make it by August 31.
Where can cards be changed?
Recipients can complete the migration at Postbank branches located inside certain retail stores, including Shoprite, Checkers, Usave, Pick n Pay, Boxer, and Spar. To find the nearest card migration point, dial *120*355# from any mobile phone.
The migration process is free, and the recipient only needs a valid ID or temporary identification. Cards can be obtained in any province, even if it differs from the province where the SASSA recipient's grant was approved. Black cards become active immediately upon issuance, and visiting a SASSA office or filling out any forms is not required. Any balance on the recipient's gold card will automatically transfer to the black card and become available. For more information, recipients can contact Postbank at 0800 5354 55. Postbank confirmed its commitment to ensuring safe, reliable, and uninterrupted receipt of grants by recipients.