SASSA-Postbank clients must feel like they’ve been at the centre of the country’s worst soap opera so far in 2025. We’ll recount the ups and downs of the saga below. But the pertinent facts for anyone receiving SASSA grants through a Postbank account is that these terminate on Wednesday 31 December 2025 …
Therefore, all remaining SASSA-Postbank clients – understood to be more than two million – are urged to open an alternative bank account as soon as possible. Likewise, you must still contact the agency to update your banking details before the end the year to not suffer any delays in payment.
SASSA-POSTBANK CLIENTS
Now, let’s catch you up on the chicanery impacting SASSA-Postbank clients. Back in September 2025, the Gauteng High Court granted a temporary three-month extension to the Master Service Agreement (MSA) between the two parties.
The South African Social Security Agency said at the time that the extension: “Put the interests of millions of its beneficiaries first, as we strive to produce an improved customer experience with no service interruptions.”
However, civil advocacy groups worry that, firstly, SASSA-Postbank clients will be hit with service fees when they shut and transfer money out of their accounts. Secondly, that Postbank’s notoriously weak IT system may be unable to handle more than two-million account closures in the time remaining.
NO ONE WILL GO WITHOUT A GRANT THIS XMAS
However, agency CEO Temba Matlou has reassured all SASSA-Postbank clients that no one will have their grant terminated. “All eligible SASSA-Postbank clients will continue receiving their grants. According to the Social Assistance Act, beneficiaries are paid their social grants into any account of their choosing. Those with Postbank accounts are no exception and termination of the MSA has no bearing on that,” concluded Matlou.
Nevertheless, all remaining SASSA-Postbank clients are encouraged to change banks as soon as possible to avoid dissapointment. And here’s how you do so:
- Setup a new account at a bank of your choosing. You most likely will have to go into a bank branch to do this.
- Then visit your nearest SASSA office and bring along the below documents.
- Valid ID document, plus a certified copy.
- Bank statement and/or bank card proving your new bank account.
- Your still-valid SASSA-Postbank card.
HELP FOR SASSA-POSTBANK CLIENTS
There is a mandatory Change of Payment form, which a SASSA staff member will help you fill out. If you haven’t already, you will undergo mandatory SASSA biometric enrolment at the same time, too. This means they will take a digital photo of you and take your fingerprints. Major SASSA offices and branches are staying open till 18h00 for the month of December.
- SASSA Toll-Free Call: 0800 60 10 11
- SASSA Head Office: 012 400 2322
- Email SASSA: grantenquiries@sassa.gov.za
But what do you think? Will SASSA-Postbank clients be served in time? Or will it be another Gold-to-Black card swap scenario? Where the elderly and disabled simply wait for hours and hours with no assistance? Let us know in the comments section below …
