Your SASSA Grant, No Card Needed — Cardless Withdrawal Methods for 2026
If you do not have your SASSA card — whether it is lost, stolen, damaged, or you are waiting for a replacement — you can still access your grant funds using one of the methods below. You do not need to wait for a replacement card before collecting your money.
Method 1 — Retail OTP Withdrawal (Most Common)
This is the most widely used cardless withdrawal method. It works at SASSA-partnered retail stores across South Africa.
What you need:
- Your South African ID document (ID book or smart card)
- Your registered cellphone (the number linked to your SASSA account)
- Your SASSA or Postbank card PIN if prompted
How it works:
- Go to the nearest participating retailer (see list below)
- Tell the cashier you want to collect your SASSA grant
- Provide your ID number and registered cellphone number
- The cashier will trigger a USSD prompt or send an OTP to your phone
- Follow the prompts on your phone to approve the transaction
- Collect your cash from the cashier and keep your receipt
Participating retailers:
- Shoprite
- Checkers
- Pick n Pay
- Boxer
- Usave
Important: The OTP is sent to the cellphone number registered with SASSA. If you recently changed your number and have not updated it with SASSA, the OTP will go to your old number. Update your number first at your nearest SASSA office before attempting this method.
Method 2 — Postbank Biometric ATM (Fingerprint)
If your fingerprint is registered on the SASSA system, you can withdraw at Postbank ATMs that have a fingerprint scanner. These are available at many Post Office branches nationwide.
How it works:
- Go to a Postbank ATM with a fingerprint scanner at your nearest Post Office branch
- Select Cardless Services or Biometric Access on the screen
- Enter your South African ID number
- Place your registered finger on the fingerprint scanner
- Once verified, select the amount and collect your cash
Note: This method is only available at Postbank ATMs with biometric scanners — not all Post Office branches have them. Call SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 to confirm your nearest location.
Method 3 — Bank CashSend or eWallet (If Your Grant Goes to a Bank)
If your SRD R370 grant payment method is set to a bank CashSend or eWallet service, your bank will send you a collection code by SMS when your payment is ready.
Common bank cardless services:
- ABSA CashSend — use the code at ABSA ATMs
- FNB eWallet — use the code at FNB ATMs or Pick n Pay
- Standard Bank Instant Money — use the code at Standard Bank ATMs or selected retailers
How it works:
- Wait for the SMS from your bank with your collection code(s)
- Go to the relevant bank’s ATM or partnered retailer
- Select the cardless withdrawal option
- Enter your collection code and ID number as prompted
- Collect your cash
If you have not yet set your payment method to a bank CashSend service, you can change it at srd.sassa.gov.za under Banking Details.
Which Method Should You Use?
| Your Situation | Best Method |
|---|---|
| Grant paid to retail cash pick-up | Retail OTP at Shoprite, Pick n Pay, etc. |
| Have fingerprint registered with SASSA | Postbank biometric ATM |
| Grant paid to bank CashSend or eWallet | Bank CashSend at relevant bank ATM |
| Grant paid into your bank account | Use your bank’s own cardless withdrawal or visit a branch |
What to Do If Your Card Was Lost or Stolen
Collecting your grant without a card is a temporary solution. If your card is lost or stolen you should block it and request a replacement as soon as possible.
- Call SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 immediately to block the card
- If stolen, open a case at your nearest police station and get a case number
- Visit your nearest SASSA office with your ID, proof of residence, and police case number (if stolen) to request a replacement
- Replacement cards typically take 7 to 14 business days to process
While waiting for your replacement card, continue using the retail OTP method or Postbank biometric ATM to access your funds. See our full guide: How to Block Your SASSA Card.
Troubleshooting — Common Problems and Solutions
The OTP is not arriving on my phone Your cellphone number may not match what is registered with SASSA. Visit your nearest SASSA office to update your registered number. Until your number is updated, the OTP cannot reach you.
The retailer says my grant is not available Check your grant status at srd.sassa.gov.za to confirm your payment has been processed for the current month. If your status shows approved but no payment date, contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11.
The biometric ATM does not recognise my fingerprint Ensure your finger is clean and dry and press firmly on the scanner. If the problem persists, try a different registered finger. If your fingerprint is not registered, you will need to visit a SASSA office to complete biometric registration.
I received a collection code but the ATM rejected it Make sure you are using the correct bank’s ATM for your specific service (ABSA code at ABSA ATM, FNB code at FNB ATM, etc.). Codes are bank-specific and will not work at a different bank’s machine. Also check that the code has not expired — bank codes are time-limited.
I do not have my cellphone with me You cannot complete an OTP or USSD-based withdrawal without your registered cellphone. Bring your registered phone with you when collecting your grant.
Safety Tips When Withdrawing Without a Card
Never share your OTP with anyone. The OTP is a one-time code that authorises your withdrawal. Anyone with your OTP can collect your cash. Do not show it to cashiers, bystanders, or anyone else — the cashier only needs you to confirm on your own phone.
Only use official retail partners. Only collect your grant at the retailers listed above. Do not hand your ID or phone to anyone outside of an official store environment.
Withdraw in a safe, well-lit area. If you are using a Postbank ATM, use one inside a Post Office branch rather than a standalone machine where possible.
Update your phone number with SASSA promptly if it changes. A mismatch between your registered number and your current SIM will block you from receiving OTPs for cardless withdrawals. Update at your nearest SASSA office as soon as your number changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I collect my SASSA R370 grant at a store without a card? Go to a participating retailer (Shoprite, Pick n Pay, Boxer, Checkers, or Usave). Tell the cashier you want to collect your SASSA grant. Provide your ID number and registered cellphone number. You will receive an OTP on your phone — follow the prompts to confirm and collect your cash.
Can I withdraw my SASSA grant at an ATM without a card? Yes, at Postbank ATMs with biometric fingerprint scanners available at Post Office branches. Select Cardless Services, enter your ID number, and use your registered fingerprint to verify and withdraw.
What do I need to collect my SASSA grant without a card? Your South African ID document and the registered cellphone number linked to your SASSA account. Some methods may also require your SASSA or Postbank card PIN.
Can I collect my SASSA grant at Pick n Pay without a card? Yes. Pick n Pay is a participating SASSA retail partner. Provide your ID and registered cellphone number at the till, confirm the OTP on your phone, and the cashier will give you your cash.
What if I lost my phone and my SASSA card? Visit your nearest SASSA office with your ID document. Staff can assist you with alternative identity verification to access your funds. Contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 first to explain your situation.
Does it cost anything to withdraw without a card at a retailer? SASSA does not charge for retail OTP withdrawals. Individual retailers may apply their standard cash withdrawal terms. Confirm with the specific store if you are unsure.
How long is the OTP valid for? OTPs are time-limited and typically expire within a few minutes. Use your OTP immediately after receiving it. If it expires, ask the cashier to re-trigger the process.
My SASSA payment is approved but I cannot collect at the store. What is wrong? Your payment may not yet have been released for that specific collection method. Check your status at srd.sassa.gov.za. If your status shows approved but no payment date, contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11.
Information on this page is sourced from official SASSA announcements and verified against www.sassa.gov.za. For official queries contact SASSA directly at www.sassa.gov.za or call 0800 60 10 11.
