Many elderly Sassa beneficiaries from Melkbosstrand to Milnerton are growing increasingly anxious about the approaching deadline to swap their Sassa gold cards for new Postbank or bank cards, fearing they might miss their March pension payments if they don’t update their cards in time.
The government has since extended the deadline for the card swap from 28 February to 20 March, easing some of the anxiety.
Local ward councillors, Sue van der Linde, Jonathan Mills, Anthony Benadie and Fabian Ah-Sing has made it their duty to assist the elderly who are currently struggling.
Last week, Ah-Sing assisted many elderly at the Brooklyn Library and Ysterplaat Primary until 16:00.
The Joe Slovo Community Hall and Summer Greens Community Hall were packed on Tuesday 25 February and Wednesday 26 February when FNB assisted residents with opening bank accounts to help them transition from the Sassa cards to receiving their grants in a bank account.
“This outreach was a great success as it made the process easier for residents, ensuring they didn’t have to stand in long queues at the bank. Stay tuned for more Sassa card replacement outreaches happening soon.”
By offering this alternative, the event helped alleviate the anxiety of many elderly community members, ensuring they could access their grants with less hassle and stress.
More help coming
Mills is also reaching out to the community to swing by Bayside Mall on Wednesday 12 March where they will be assisting those who want to set up a bank mandate.
“If you are happy to have your grants paid directly into your bank account, then you no longer need to switch your card. By submitting a bank mandate to Sassa along with your ID, bank account letter, and proof of address you can receive your grant each month via EFT,” Mills says.
Van der Linde has arranged for a number of the main banks to join at the Shoprite entrance to Bayside Mall on Wednesday 12 March. All are welcome.
“The DA has been pushing to help improve the gold-to-black Sassa card switch nationwide. Along with the deadline extension which was granted, our MEC for Social Development has also told Sassa that more service points need to be opened in the Western Cape,” Mills says.
