VerifiedMost SASSA grants do not have to be renewed. An older persons grant, a permanent disability grant or a child support grant keeps paying as long as you still qualify. There are, however, four situations where you must do something to keep your grant, and one where you need a new card.
Situations where you need to act
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| You are paid into a bank account, through an institution or by a procurator | Complete your annual life certification at a SASSA office so SASSA knows you are still alive and living in South Africa. |
| You have a temporary disability grant | It stops on its end date. Reapply before then, with a new medical assessment. |
| SASSA sends you a review notice | Go to the SASSA office named in the notice with the documents it asks for. |
| Your grant was suspended for not being collected | A grant lapses if it is not collected for three months in a row. Visit a SASSA office to have it reinstated. |
| You still have a SASSA gold card | Get a free Postbank black card. The gold card deadline was 31 August 2026. |
Life certification
Beneficiaries of older persons, disability and war veterans grants who are paid into a bank account, or whose grant is collected for them, must confirm once a year that they are alive. SASSA now does this with a fingerprint or face scan at its offices. If it is missed, the grant is suspended, not cancelled, and it starts again once the certification is done.
Temporary disability grants
A temporary disability grant is awarded for six to twelve months when a SASSA-appointed doctor finds that your condition should improve. Book a new medical assessment before it ends and apply again. See how to book a SASSA medical assessment.
Replacing a gold card
- Dial *120*355# to find the nearest card replacement point.
- Go to a participating store or Postbank replacement site with your ID and old card.
- Collect your black card and choose a new PIN. It costs nothing.
Card renewals are no longer done at Post Office branches: Postbank stopped offering services at Post Offices from 1 May 2026.
Lost or damaged card
Call Postbank on 0800 53 54 55 straight away to block a lost or stolen card, then ask where to get a replacement.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to renew my older persons grant every year?
No. The grant continues while you qualify. If you are paid into a bank account, you only need to complete the annual life certification.
Where do I renew my SASSA card?
Old gold cards are replaced with Postbank black cards at participating retailers and Postbank replacement sites. Dial *120*355# to find one.
What happens when a temporary disability grant ends?
Payments stop on the end date. You need a new medical assessment and a new application to continue receiving a disability grant.