SASSA Card – From 1 August 2025, SASSA beneficiaries across South Africa will experience a groundbreaking change in how they access their monthly support. In a bold move aimed at reducing transport burdens and boosting daily mobility, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has announced that all SASSA cards will now double as “Petrol Cards.” This means beneficiaries can use their SASSA cards to refuel their vehicles at designated petrol stations, with pre-approved monthly fuel limits. The initiative, rolled out in collaboration with major fuel providers and the Department of Social Development, seeks to bring added value and ease to millions of grant recipients who rely heavily on personal transport. The new SASSA fuel benefit is being introduced as part of the government’s ongoing digitization drive and social relief expansion. With rising petrol prices and transportation costs putting pressure on low-income households, this system aims to cushion the impact by ensuring direct access to essential fuel. Beneficiaries will not need cash to refuel — instead, the SASSA card can be swiped at partnered fuel stations just like a debit card. This unique hybrid model transforms the traditional SASSA card into a dual-use payment method — one for cash withdrawals and grant usage, and another for fuel support. To prevent abuse, the government has implemented monthly caps and transaction tracking measures. Additionally, this facility will be limited to specific beneficiaries, including those receiving disability, old-age, and child care grants who have registered for fuel support. Below is a complete breakdown of this major reform and what it means for millions of South Africans from August 2025.
How the SASSA Card System Will Work
The system is simple, user-friendly, and digital-first. SASSA beneficiaries can swipe their cards at eligible fuel pumps and refuel based on monthly allowances.
- Applicable from: 1 August 2025
- Beneficiaries: Old Age, Disability, Foster Care, and Child Support Grant holders
- Partner stations: Shell, Engen, BP, Caltex (selected locations)
- Authentication: PIN required, like a normal card transaction
- Monthly fuel allowance: Pre-set depending on grant type
- No need for physical cash or bank transfers
- Usage limited to personal/private vehicles only
- Tracking through SASSA digital backend and receipts
SASSA Card – Monthly Fuel Limits by Grant Type
Each grant category will receive a different monthly fuel limit. This table outlines the provisional limits.
| Grant Type | Monthly Fuel Limit | Eligible Vehicle Use | Card Usage Hours | Max Swipe Transactions | Partnered Brands |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Age Grant | R400 | 1 private car | 6 AM to 10 PM | 4 per month | Shell, BP |
| Disability Grant | R500 | 1 vehicle per recipient | 24/7 | 6 per month | Engen, Caltex |
| Foster Care Grant | R350 | Transport for dependents | 6 AM to 8 PM | 3 per month | Shell |
| Child Support Grant | R300 | School/clinic transport | 6 AM to 6 PM | 2 per month | BP |
| War Veteran Grant | R600 | Special disability vehicle | 24/7 | 5 per month | Engen |
| Grant-in-Aid | R250 | Medical transport support | 8 AM to 6 PM | 2 per month | Caltex |
| SRD Grant (Pilot) | R200 | Temporary pilot beneficiaries | 8 AM to 8 PM | 1 per month | Shell (limited) |
Where Can You Swipe the SASSA Card for Fuel?
Not all fuel stations will accept the SASSA card at launch. The government is rolling this out in phases.
- Shell (pilot program in Gauteng and KZN)
- BP (active in Western Cape)
- Engen (expected in Northern Cape, Free State)
- Caltex (limited branches in Eastern Cape)
- Petrol stations will have visible “SASSA ACCEPTED HERE” signs
- PIN verification required during swipe
- Only registered vehicle license plates will be eligible
SASSA Card – Station-wise Implementation Timeline
This rollout will take place in phases. Below is the tentative timeline:
| Province | Fuel Partners | Start Date | Availability Type | Number of Sites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gauteng | Shell, BP | 1 Aug 2025 | Full | 240 |
| Western Cape | BP, Caltex | 3 Aug 2025 | Partial | 170 |
| Eastern Cape | Caltex, Engen | 5 Aug 2025 | Limited pilot | 130 |
| KZN | Shell, Engen | 6 Aug 2025 | Full | 260 |
| Limpopo | BP, Caltex | 10 Aug 2025 | Pilot | 80 |
| Free State | Engen | 15 Aug 2025 | Testing phase | 60 |
| Mpumalanga | Shell | 18 Aug 2025 | Full rollout | 110 |
SASSA Card – How to Activate Your Card for Petrol Usage
Eligible recipients will need to activate the feature to start using the fuel benefit.
- Visit nearest SASSA office or service kiosk
- Submit copy of vehicle registration (RC)
- Link vehicle license plate to your grant profile
- Complete fingerprint or Face ID verification
- Wait 24-48 hours for digital linking
- Receive confirmation SMS once activated
Digital Activation Via SASSA App (Optional)
SASSA’s mobile app will also support remote activation from mid-August 2025.
- Log in using registered grant ID
- Go to “Petrol Card Feature” tab
- Enter your vehicle registration details
- Upload proof of ownership (JPG/PDF)
- Submit and await confirmation within 48 hours
Who Is Eligible for the SASSA Petrol Card Function?
The card feature is not universal — it is limited to those meeting specific criteria.
- Must be receiving a permanent grant (no temporary SRD beyond pilot group)
- Only one vehicle per beneficiary can be linked
- Vehicle must be used for household support (e.g. groceries, school)
- Fuel limit cannot be exchanged for cash or other services
- Beneficiary must reside in pilot provinces initially
Common Disqualifications
Applicants will be disqualified under the following circumstances:
- No vehicle registered in beneficiary’s name
- Multiple vehicles linked to the same ID
- Vehicle used for commercial taxi/ride-share
- Beneficiary resides outside approved zones
- Outstanding grant KYC or fraud alerts
Monitoring and Security Protocols in Place
To prevent fraud and misuse, strong security layers will be in place for each swipe.
- Fuel station staff trained to validate SASSA card use
- Card must match vehicle plate on file
- Swipe logs monitored by Postbank and SASSA
- Monthly overuse alerts sent to registered mobile numbers
- Random audits and spot checks
- Fuel not permitted to be stored in containers
Reporting Misuse or Errors
In case of misuse or technical errors:
- Call SASSA helpline: 0800 60 10 11
- Use the SASSA App “Report Issue” tab
- Visit nearest SASSA regional office
- Provide last transaction slip or receipt
- All issues resolved within 5–7 working days
How This Change Benefits SASSA Beneficiaries
This initiative isn’t just about petrol. It’s about improving dignity, independence, and access.
- Reduces transport costs for essentials like groceries or clinic visits
- Empowers rural households who rely on personal vehicles
- Promotes better school attendance through transport support
- Minimizes cash handling risks and ATM dependency
- Adds digital value to an existing government scheme
Estimated Monthly Savings Per Household
Below is an estimate of how much beneficiaries can save monthly:
| Grant Type | Avg. Monthly Fuel Need | SASSA Fuel Coverage | Monthly Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Age Grant | R600 | R400 | R200 |
| Disability Grant | R800 | R500 | R300 |
| Foster Care Grant | R500 | R350 | R150 |
| Child Support Grant | R450 | R300 | R150 |
| War Veteran Grant | R900 | R600 | R300 |
This landmark move by the South African government is a significant step toward modernizing the country’s welfare system. By transforming the traditional SASSA card into a hybrid tool for both grant access and fuel support, millions of South Africans will find it easier to travel, save money, and live with greater dignity. Beneficiaries are encouraged to prepare for this change by updating their vehicle registration and confirming eligibility before 1 August 2025.
FAQs of SASSA Card
Q1: Can I buy fuel for someone else with my card?
No, the card is linked to a specific registered vehicle. Misuse may lead to suspension.
Q2: Will unused fuel benefits roll over to next month?
No, any unspent fuel limit will expire at the end of each month.
Q3: Can I change the vehicle linked to my card later?
Yes, but only once every 6 months and with proper documentation.
Q4: Will SRD Grant holders also get this benefit?
Only a small pilot group under SRD will participate initially. Nationwide SRD inclusion is not confirmed.
Q5: What if my nearest fuel station does not support SASSA swipe?
You will need to find a listed partner station. An official list will be updated on the SASSA website and app.
