There are two ways to get and obtain a new SASSA card, either online or going to the post office office/SASSA in person i.e. face to face. However, the single most important factor in determining your chances of getting a new SASSA card successfully is hinged on your marital status ( i.e. whether you are single or married).
This guideline explains everything you need to know, the requirements, and eligibility status; so clear your mind and carefully read the steps you need to follow.
I concur with you on the facts that there are many benefits inherent in having your own SASSA card compared to just receiving everything via eWallet or SMS, while 7 out of 10 applicants for a new SASSA card do get rejected because of ignorance, these guidelines clear the way so that you will not make mistake like others.
2 Requirements for getting a new SASSA Card
The major requirements are divided into two for ease of understanding so that you will not get confused and also for you to get prepared.
- Eligibility Criteria
- Physical documents of identity
Now, for each, the following clarifies what is expected of you:
The eligibility criteria for a new SASSA card are:
- You must be a South African citizen or you must have an asylum/special permit ( this applies to foreigners)
- In terms of age, if you are less than 18 years old, you cannot apply for the SASSA card
- The SASSA card is for easy collection of the SASSA grants, therefore, you must have or be collecting a grant already or qualified to be getting the grant.
- You cannot use the SASSA card for other types of grants. So, if you are already collecting other types of grants, do not bother applying because the computer system and database will see your name and ID.
- Now to most reasons why the SASSA card application is rejected: For single applicants ( i.e. not married), your income must not be more than R86,280 in a year ( being lesser than this figure is better)
- If you are married, the combined income of you and your partner must be less than R172,560 in a year
- In terms of Assets ( physical things you own), for a single individual, the value must not be greater than R1,227,600. This is different for married couples, the combined asset’s total value and worth should not exceed R2,455,400.
Once you are cleared on the above, the second requirements are just physical items i.e. documents you need to present, a brief synopsis of the documents required for a new SASSA card are:
- If you are a South African, your SA ID card is needed, if you are a foreigner, your asylum papers and or any special permit document you have
- The second document is your proof of address, this can be your TV license receipt, water bills, or electricity bill. Any municipality or official document showing your house address is okay.
- And lastly, your active phone number is a major requirement. Please remember that this phone number should be the number you used when registering in the first place.
Steps To Apply For a New SASSA Card
- Appling Online
- Applying At the Post Office
1. Applying for A SASSA Card Online
The following steps should be followed and implemented with patience and with full focus of concentration:
1. Visit the SASSA Website and Register
The website to visit is https://services.sassa.gov.za/portal/r/sassa/sassa/home. You can access this from your phone or PC ( personal computer)
To get there, just type the above in the browser and click enter ( just the same way you type facebook.com) in your browser.
Once it opens, the next step is to register; the following information is needed for a successful registration:
- Your name ( Full name), email address, phone number, and ID/passport number.
- For security purposes, create a password that you can remember easily and which at the same time no one can guess or know.
- If you have an account already, just click login instead of clicking on register. These buttons are positioned at the top right-hand corner of the page or just look at the three dots on the page when accessing from your phone.
2. Locate Card application
After the successful registration or you have been able to log in, navigate the mouse to the card services icon/button. From here, click on Apply for a new Sassa card.
How this appears may look a little bit different on a PC ( Desktop computer) and your mobile phone, but they all have the same objectives.
3. Pop-up information page that needs to be filled
A pop-up detailed information page will appear the moment you click on apply for a new SASSA card. All that is required from you is to fill the page with some information of yours with accuracy. This information includes:
- Your first name and last name ( i.e. surname)
- Your real SA ID number. If you are a foreigner, your valid passport number or asylum is required.
- Date of birth and cell phone number
- Your house address ( please use the same address that coincides with those on your proof of address document).
- And finally, you need to pick the SASSA grant you are receiving
4. Documents Upload
- In 80 percent of cases, you will be mandated to upload your original documents (i.e. ID, proof of identity, and address).
- If your phone has a sharp resolution, you can take a clear picture with it and upload it. If it is rejected, just take the documents to a computer center, scan and upload them ( PDF format is ideal)
5. Review and review again
Reviewing everything you have filled requires patience and scrutiny by checking it again and again. It is not a good thing to commit an error because you will have to start all over again, probably after a few days.
After spending 5 minutes or more checking and reviewing everything and you are damn sure it is good to go, then press the submit button.
6. Confirmation
You should expect to get an SMS, screen notification, and/or email acknowledging the submission of your application. If you do not get it, just wait for a few minutes. If nothing happens, it means an error has occurred in transit probably due to an internet problem. You just have to start again.
If you receive the confirmation, good luck. At this point, it is no longer in your hands as you have to wait for SASSA to process everything and then get back to you. Just be patient for a few days and you will receive a message to collect your card or denial.
7. Card collection
The good news you will receive if the application is processed successfully is an SMS or email notification to collect your new SASSA card.
The date and where to collect it will be relayed in the message. In most cases, you will collect the SASSA card either at the nearest SASSA office or the nearest post office.
Please note that before the SASSA card can be handed over to you, you will need to show them the notification for collection you received and also the original physical copy of your proof of identity.
And now, to the second method of applying for a new SASSA card;
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2. Applying for A SASSA Card At The Post Office
For most people who prefer doing things face to face and are probably not familiar with using the internet for the application, this option of going to the post office is another great option.
Just to be clear, the steps below are the same as the steps above because you will need to go with those physical copies of the required documents which are your SA ID, proof of address, and your phone number!!
The processes and steps to apply for a new SASSA card when you go to the post office are illustrated below:
1. Locate the nearest post office
Every municipality or area has a post office close to where you stay. Though you may need to take a taxi or bus there, it is usually not far.
If you are not sure where the nearest post office is, go to Google and type post office near me and it will be listed and shown.
2. Go during working hours
No one will attend to you when you visit the post office when they have closed. Most typical post offices in South Africa open by 8 am and close by 4 pm, except Saturdays where they open by 9 am and close by 1 pm.
3. Customer service/Enquiry desk
Remember that you are not going to the post office to collect a parcel or letter but rather to apply for a new SASSA card. On getting to the post office, inquire about the customer service representative you will meet.
You will need to tell him/her the reason why you are there and that is to apply for a new SASSA card, she/he will bring out the forms for you to fill out and also guide you.
4. Present your documents and Fill SASSA application form
You will be required to show the customer service agent/staff there your original documents and also submit photocopies of these original documents to the person.
After this, the SASSA card application form will be given to you, and you will be required to fill the form with your accurate first and last name, address, SA ID/Asylum /Passport number, contact information, and type of grant.
If you are confused or lost, the customer representative will guide you.
5. Receipt collection
On filling out the application correctly, the staff will collect the form, double check, and if satisfied, a receipt of acknowledgment will be given to you.
This receipt is important because it contains vital information ( like the reference number etc.) you will need for the collection of the SASSA card when ready
6. Card collection
Within a matter of days, an SMS and email will be sent to you notifying you of the readiness of the card and when you should come and collect it.
Summary
In a nutshell, the process of obtaining a new SASSA card is not cumbersome. I prefer doing everything online on the phone, but if you prefer going to the post office, so be it.
The whole application process will not exceed 30 minutes and the collection of the SASSA card if successful and approved should not take more than 9 days.
