Dealing with a lost or stolen SASSA card can be really stressful. This card allows you to access your welfare grant money from the South African government. Without it, you may struggle to afford basic needs like food, rent, transport and other living costs.
The good news is that SASSA has official processes to deal with lost or stolen grant cards. By following the right steps quickly, you can get a replacement card issued. This will ensure you don’t miss out on receiving your crucial monthly grant payments.
If your SASSA card is lost or stolen, immediately report it by calling 0800 60 10 11 or visiting a SASSA office to deactivate it. Next, complete the Lost Card Affidavit form with details like your ID and grant number. Attach supporting documents like ID copy and police case number if stolen. Submit the Affidavit at SASSA, Post Office, or via email. You’ll receive a replacement SASSA card within 5-7 working days at the same location you submitted the Affidavit. Set a new PIN when collecting the new card.
In this guide, we’ll explain exactly what you need to do if your SASSA card goes missing or gets stolen. We’ll cover reporting it, applying for a new one, and making sure your grant money keeps coming.
The very first and most important step is reporting your lost or stolen SASSA card immediately. This deactivates the card so nobody else can access or withdraw money from your grant account.
How to Report the Lost or Stolen SASSA Card?
You can report a lost/stolen SASSA card by:
Calling the toll-free SASSA helpline at 0800 60 10 11
Visiting your nearest local SASSA office in person
When reporting the lost card, you’ll need to provide some key details like:
Your full name and ID number
The 16-digit SASSA card number (if known)
When and where you last had the card
SASSA will then instantly deactivate that lost/stolen card from their banking systems. This blocks it from being used to withdraw funds from your grant account.
They’ll also send you a one-time PIN (OTP) code to verify your identity before processing the card deactivation.
Step 2: Complete the Lost Card Affidavit Form
Next, you need to fill out SASSA’s official “Lost Card Affidavit” form. This legal document declares that your card is truly lost or stolen, rather than just being misplaced temporarily somewhere.
How to Get the Lost Card Affidavit Form?
There are two ways to get the Affidavit form:
Pick it up at any SASSA office or Post Office branch
Download and print from sassa.gov.za
You must complete the form carefully with accurate personal info like:
Your ID number and contact details
SASSA grant reference number
Lost card number (if available)
Date and details of when you lost the card
Be sure to attach copies of supporting documents too:
Certified copy of your green ID book or smart ID card (both sides)
Copy of latest SASSA grant payslip
Police case number (if card was stolen rather than lost)
Step 3: Submit the Completed Affidavit
Once you’ve filled out the full Affidavit with supporting docs, you can submit it in a few ways:
No matter which method, be sure to get a receipt or reference number. This proves you reported the lost card properly to SASSA.
After processing your Affidavit, SASSA will request a replacement card to be printed and issued for your grant account.
Step 4: Receiving Your New SASSA Card
You should receive your new replacement SASSA card within around 5-7 working days after reporting the previous one lost/stolen.
The new card will be sent to the same SASSA office or Post Office branch where you submitted the Affidavit initially.
When collecting, you must show ID and provide your grant reference number again for security checks. The new card will be activated and ready to use immediately.
It’s highly recommended to set a brand new PIN code that’s different from your previous lost/stolen card’s PIN. This prevents anyone who may have discovered that old PIN from accessing your grant money.
The Key Points
Losing your main SASSA card for accessing grant payments is inconvenient. But by following the proper procedures, you can get it resolved safely:
Report lost/stolen cards immediately to deactivate them
Complete the Lost Card Affidavit form carefully
Attach supporting ID and documentation
Submit Affidavit at SASSA office, Post Office or by email
Collect new replacement card in around 1 week
Set a new PIN code on the new card
By acting fast to report, you prevent unauthorized withdrawals from your grant account. Following up with the full Affidavit then ensures your new replacement card gets issued as soon as possible.
If you have any other questions, contact the SASSA helpline at 0800 60 10 11 or your local office. Their friendly staff can guide you through every step until you have that new active card in your hands.
By handling a lost or stolen SASSA card properly, you don’t need to go without access to your vital welfare grant money for long. Just be vigilant, and follow SASSA’s official replacement processes to the letter.
I’m Anele Zulu, a South African social worker dedicated to serving my country’s most vulnerable. With my degree and field expertise, I empower underprivileged communities through compassionate support and tireless advocacy on this website. My goal is simplifying access to services so families can uplift themselves
