The SASSA card is used by beneficiaries of social grants such as care dependency grants, old age grants, or grants in aid, in South Africa to receive their grants electronically. It’s a debit card that allows beneficiaries to withdraw their grants from ATMs, pay for purchases at point-of-sale machines, and make transfers. It’s an important tool for delivering social welfare benefits to eligible individuals and families in South Africa.
Postbank, an organization in South Africa responsible for handling SASSA grants has informed the government about the issues regarding the SASSA cards. These issues impede the SASSA beneficiaries from withdrawing their grant funds from ATMs and retailers while using SASSA cards. However, Postbank is also working to resolve these issues and has announced that these issues will be rectified soon.
If your SASSA card declined, it might be due to many reasons. You will receive a notification stating that your card is invalid or the transaction declined due to insufficient funds. You don’t need to worry as these issues are mostly due to technical faults in the Postbank system, leading to declined withdrawal. Some important reasons why your SASSA card was declined are given below.
Reasons why SASSA card declined
Here are a few reasons why your SASSA card declined:
Insufficient Funds in Your Account
It may be that your SASSA account does not have enough funds in it. So always check your SASSA balance before you use your SASSA card.
Limited SASSA Funds
SASSA funds are sometimes limited and it may take up to two days to receive your SASSA grant.
Incorrect PIN
Sometimes beneficiaries enter the incorrect PIN for their SASSA card which results in a declined SASSA card.
Technical issues in the Postbank System
Some glitches may arise in the Postbank system when the workload is high. This can result in a declined SASSA card, even when your grant has been approved.
Blocked Personal Account
If the bank account you used in your grant application is blocked or has pending transactions, your SASSA card will be declined
Involvement in Fraudulent Activities
If SASSA finds out that your SASSA card was used in fraudulent activities or was involved in any suspicious activity, it will be blocked until further investigation.
Income Limit Exceeded
If your income exceeds the income limit of SASSA established through the Means Test (R624), your SASSA card will be declined.
Discontinued/Canceled Grant
If the grant you are receiving is canceled or discontinued by SASSA, it will result in a declined SASSA card.
Expired SASSA Card
If your SASSA card has expired, then it will ultimately be declined. You should renew your card to use it again.
Issues in ATM
The SASSA card may also be declined due to technical problems in the ATM you’re using. Trying another ATM can help resolve the issue.
Withdrawal Restrictions
Your SASSA may have reached its daily withdrawal limits. It’s important you check your daily withdrawal limit before using your SASSa card.
Damaged SASSA card
If your SASSA card is damaged or its chip is cracked or worn out, it might not work. In such a case, you should request a replacement card from SASSA.
Lost or Stolen Card: If your card is lost, it must be reported to the SASSA team to prevent unauthorized access.
How to Resolve the Issue of SASSA Card Declined
If your SASSA card is declined, here is a guide to resolve this issue:
If the above method doesn’t work then follow the instructions given below:
SASSA Card Blocked
If you’re a South African citizen receiving social grants from the government, you are most likely to have an SASSA card. SASSA card acts as a lifeline for the SASSA beneficiaries, as it provides an easy pathway to withdraw the grant funds. If you accidentally or intentionally blocked your SASSA card, here are some ways to unblock it:
Visiting Your Nearest SASSA Office
Visiting your nearest SASSA office if your SASSA card was blocked due to technical issues or if you need clarification is beneficial. The SASSA staff will assist you in unblocking your card and resolving any issues you may be facing.
Resetting Your PIN
If you are sure your card is blocked because you entered the wrong PIN too many times, you can reset your PIN at your nearest SASSA office. They only ask you to provide identification to prove that you are the cardholder, and that’s it.
Waiting for the Block to Expire
SASSA cards can be blocked if the daily withdrawal limit is exceeded. It is not a big problem as you just have to wait until the next day, and the block expires. You can then use your card as normal.
Reactivating Your Card
If you fail to collect your grant on time, this can also block the SASSA card. You must reactivate your card by visiting the nearest SASSA office with your proof of identity and grant application.
Retrieve Your PIN
You can request a One-time PIN from the department on WhatsApp. This will allow you to access your form and reset your PIN. All you need to do is follow the below-mentioned steps and you are good to go.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the SASSA card stands as a cornerstone in South Africa’s social welfare system, offering a multitude of benefits to eligible individuals and families. Its importance lies in its role in promoting financial inclusion, enhancing convenience, ensuring security, fostering accountability, and empowering beneficiaries. By providing a reliable and efficient means for the distribution of social grants, the SASSA card not only facilitates access to essential funds but also contributes to the overall well-being and dignity of recipients. The SASSA beneficiaries can always use the above-mentioned methods to get their declined SASSA card working again.