SSB Card Renewals Paused due to Card Supply Shortage

On August 4th, the Social Security Board (SSB) announced that it has temporarily suspended the renewal of expired Social Security cards until September 14th due to a shortage of card stock. The board clarified that the disruption affects only replacement cards for expired Social Security cards. First-time applicants and holders of temporary Social Security cards will continue to be served.
The SSB said the delay was caused by supply issues affecting card stock availability, which slowed the production of replacement cards. According to the board, registration applications will continue to be accepted at all SSB branches, and cards for first-time applicants and holders of temporary cards will still be printed using the available supply.
The announcement stated that individuals with expired Social Security cards need not stop using them immediately. The SSB advised customers renewing expired cards to continue using their current cards during the temporary suspension, as their registration records remain valid in the system. Access to Social Security services, benefits, and customer records will not be affected.
In San Pedro, residents who visited the local SSB office said they were told to continue using their expired cards until renewals resume. The Social Security Board also apologized for the inconvenience and thanked the public for its patience and understanding while it works to restore normal service.
However, Belize Bank has confirmed that its San Pedro branch will not accept expired Social Security cards as valid identification. Customers will be required to present another valid form of identification for banking transactions. Atlantic Bank was unavailable for comment as of press time.
While the temporary disruption may inconvenience individuals awaiting replacement cards, the overall impact on Social Security services is expected to be limited. If the supply issue is resolved as anticipated, the renewal of expired Social Security cards should resume on September 14, allowing normal operations to continue.