Pensioners still using the green ID book should know this before the cut-off

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Older South Africans holding the green ID book could save money and stress by acting before Home Affairs changes course.

0 Smart ID and Green ID book. Image: File/Canva SASSA pensioners aged 60 and older can replace their green barcoded ID book with a smart ID card free of charge at Home Affairs, according to the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) official requirements guide. Other citizens applying for the same card pay R140.

The switch is becoming urgent. The DHA is preparing to announce a roadmap for phasing out the green ID book, which is still used by around 16 million people, according to Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber.

The DHA lists four documents for pensioners applying for their first smart ID. Applicants need their green barcoded ID book, or an affidavit if the book has been lost. They also need proof of residence, or they can simply provide a residential address if they do not have proof.

Married pensioners must bring a marriage certificate, and divorced pensioners must bring their divorce decree. Home Affairs uses these documents to verify marital status, so pensioners whose circumstances have changed should bring the paperwork to avoid delays.

The minister has warned that the green ID book is particularly vulnerable to fraud. For grant recipients, this matters because SASSA relies on a valid identity document to confirm who is receiving payments.

However, there is no need to panic yet. No official cut-off date has been announced, and Home Affairs has stressed that green ID books remain legal and valid for now. The department has said the green ID book will only be phased out once smart ID access becomes widely available.

Long queues and travel costs remain a concern for many older South Africans. In April 2026, a Member of Parliament asked the minister how elderly citizens in rural areas would cope. The DHA replied that it is mindful of the challenges some elderly citizens may face and pointed to the rollout of smart ID services at hundreds more bank branches.

Schreiber said access to smart ID services increased by 250% in just 19 weeks through the bank partnership. Home Affairs planning documents also mention mobile offices and home visits to help citizens who cannot travel.

Pensioners who use a bank branch should confirm whether any fee applies before paying, as the free pensioner category is listed in the DHA brochure. Applying early also means avoiding the rush that is likely to follow once Home Affairs announces a final cut-off date.

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