Last chance to re-register for social grants

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has to date re-registered 11 million social grant recipients on the new SASSA biometric payment card system. Those South Africans who have not yet registered or received temporary SASSA payment cards, have until 31 March 2013 to re-register.

Below is some information to help you re-register:

Where do I re-register for a SASSA card?

At a re-registration site closest to you. Phone 0800 601 011, 0800 600 160 or 012 400 2322 for more information.

What documents do I need to re-register?

• Your original 13 digit green bar coded identity document.
• The original birth certificate of the child/children.
• Letter of award from SASSA (if you are in possession of 7777 ID number).

What should I do if I am sick, frail, bedridden or a senior citizen and cannot get to the site?

You must contact the toll free numbers - 0800 601 011, 0800 600 160 or 012 400 2322 – to request a home visit.

How do I access my social grant with the new SASSA payment card?

Your social grant can be accessed at any cash pay point, at participating payment vendors like Boxer, Pick n Pay, Spar, Checkers and Shoprite free of charge. If you choose to use your card at the ATM, you will be charged normal bank charges.

What should I do if I lost my SASSA payment card?

You will be required to pay R20 for a replacement card, which you can get at your local SASSA office.

What should I do if my SASSA card gets damaged?

Visit your nearest SASSA office for a replacement card free of charge.

What is a pin code?

It is the four digit number that you will chose when you first receive your SASSA payment card. Your pin must be kept a secret.

What happens if I use the wrong pin?

If you have forgotten your pin and entered the wrong pin three times at an ATM, the card is retained by the ATM. If you use the incorrect pin at participating payment vendors such as Boxer, Pick n Pay, Checkers, Shoprite, Spar, the money will not be paid over and your card will be locked.

What must I do if I have forgotten my pin code?

Go to your local SASSA office for your pin code to be reset free of charge.

Can I retain my old bank account?

Yes, you will be required to call the toll free number every month for your social grant to be transferred from the SASSA card to your personal bank account.

How do I deposit money into my SASSA card?

You are able to deposit funds into your SASSA bank account in one of three ways:

1. Using the Easypay bill payment system

An Easypay bill payment reference number is printed at the back of each SASSA card. Bank card beneficiaries can go to any outlet which supports Easypay bill payments (for example Shoprite, Checkers, Boxer, Pick n Pay) and pay funds into their bank accounts by providing this Easypay reference number. It will take approximately 48 hours for the funds to be transferred into the account.

2. Electronic funds transfer (EFT)

You can also make use of internet banking) from a third party bank account using the bank account number and branch code you provided when you enrolled. The funds will be available in your account by the next day.

3. Third party bank transfer

You can do an over-the-counter transfer at a third par bank by filling out a transfer slip to move funds from an account at that bank to the bank account number and branch code you provided when you registered.

The funds will be available in your account by the next day. This is the most expensive way to deposit funds into your account as the third party bank levies bank charges for making such transfers.

Can I use the new social grant card at any ATM?

You can withdraw your social grant from any ATM in the national payment system provided you have set a pin on the SASSA payment card during the re-registration process. Fees are charged for ATM transactions.

What happens to my money of I do not withdraw it every month?

If you do not withdraw your money for three consecutive months the grant is automatically cancelled.