Despite the ongoing turmoil surrounding frozen Ithala accounts and recent contentious High Court rulings, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has confirmed that February 2025 Children’s Grants will proceed as scheduled. Beneficiaries can expect payments from Thursday, February 6, ensuring that millions of children relying on social assistance will receive their much-needed support.
The Child Support Grant is a lifeline for lower-income households, providing crucial financial aid to cover children’s basic needs. Processed alongside the Foster Child and Care Dependency Grants, these payments follow a strict schedule in the first week of each month. For February 2025, beneficiaries will receive the following amounts: Child Support Grant – R530, Care Dependency Grant – R2,190, and Foster Child Grant – R1,190. Those wishing to confirm their payment status can do so at sassacheck.com, using their phone number and South African ID to verify approval.
However, a major deadline looms over beneficiaries still using the SASSA Gold Card. Postbank has officially confirmed that these cards will cease functioning after Friday, February 28, 2025. Beneficiaries are strongly urged to upgrade to the new Postbank Black Card to avoid disruptions in accessing their grants. In a public notice, Postbank advised those needing assistance to dial *120*218*3# to locate nearby outlets facilitating the transition. Until the cutoff date, the Gold Card remains valid for withdrawals at major retail chains such as Shoprite, Pick n Pay, Spar, and Boxer, as well as ATMs nationwide.
Adding to concerns, SASSA has issued a fraud alert regarding a fake eKYC verification link currently circulating. Scammers are attempting to deceive beneficiaries into providing personal information under the guise of updating their grant details. SASSA has clarified that its official eKYC system is temporarily down for maintenance, and any messages prompting users to verify their details should be ignored. The agency assured beneficiaries that updates on the system’s status would be communicated once it is operational again.
With essential grant payments rolling out, an impending card replacement deadline, and rising cyber threats, SASSA beneficiaries must stay vigilant. As February unfolds, navigating these challenges will be crucial for millions who depend on these funds.
