SASSA Care Dependency Grant: How to Apply?

Sassa Care Dependency Grant (CGD) is paid by the South African government to parents, foster parents, or primary caregivers of children under the age of 18, who have a mental or physical disability and require full-time supervision. State-funded institutions cannot care for the child. The child must receive permanent home care.

Care Dependency Grants are valued at R2 080 per child, per month, as of 1 April 2023. From 1 October 2023, the grant will increase by R10 to R2 090.

Understanding the SASSA Care Dependency Grant

The SASSA Care Dependency Grant is a social security grant provided by the South African government. It is designed to assist individuals who require special care due to severe disabilities or medical conditions. The grant aims to alleviate the financial burden faced by these individuals and their families, enabling them to access essential services and support.

How to Apply for Sassa Care Dependency Grant

Applying for the Care Dependency Grant is as easy as visiting your local SASSA office or applying online (read the instructions on how to apply online via the SASSA services website.

In the event that you are too ill, old, or disabled to visit the SASSA office yourself, a family member or friend may apply on your behalf.

A SASSA officer must be present when the application form is completed at the SASSA office. You or the person you appointed may need assistance from a SASSA officer if you or they are unable to complete the application form on your own.

The SASSA official who assisted with your application will sign the dated stamped receipt. As proof of your application, you must keep your receipt.

There is no cost associated with the application process.

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Sassa Care Dependency Grant Requirements

The SASSA Care Dependency Grant is only available to individuals who meet the criteria (please be aware that these criteria may change). Criteria include the following:

• Applicants must be South African citizens, permanent residents, or refugees
• Parents, foster parents, or primary caregivers of children under 18 are eligible
• A state-funded institution cannot provide permanent care to the child
• South Africa must be your home and the child’s home
• Proof that the child receives permanent care or support must be provided
• The amount below applies to you and your spouse (foster parents are not subject to this test).

Sassa Care Dependency Grant Application Documents

To apply for the SASSA care dependency grant, applicants must submit the following documents (originals or certified copies):

• Applicants must submit a SASSA affidavit confirming personal information (download the affidavit here) if their ID document or birth certificate is not available.
• Your ID documents and your spouse’s ID documents (if you don’t have your own ID documents, you may complete the SASSA affidavits here).
• The following proofs of household income are acceptable:
  • If employed, pay slips
  • If receiving UIF, a UIF card must be presented
  • Unemployment affidavit
  • If on pension, pension receipt
  • Proof of child maintenance or evidence of your attempts to receive maintenance from the other biological parent but were unsuccessful
• The following documents are proof of your spousal relationship:
  • Certificate of marriage: if you are married
  • Order of divorce: if divorced
  • Death certificate of your spouse: if your spouse has passed away
  • A sworn statement or affidavit if none of the above apply (e.g. single and unmarried, separated or not in communication with your spouse).
  • If applicable, a court order proving your role as a foster parent
  • If you are not the child’s parent, you must submit an affidavit from the police, an affidavit from the biological parent, a letter from the school, or a social worker’s report.
• In the case of a married couple, a sworn statement or affidavit detailing your income and the income of your spouse
• An assessment or medical report from a doctor confirming that the child is severely disabled, either physically or mentally, and therefore requires permanent care.

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Sassa Care Dependency Grant Means Test

A means test is used by SASSA when awarding social grants. The means test is used to determine whether an applicant qualifies for a grant based on their income. Applicants must not earn more than R249 600 a year for single applicants, and combined incomes must not exceed R499 200 a year for married applicants (this is for 1 April 2023) to pass the means test.

For married applicants, half of the combined income is taken into account.

Care Dependency Grants and Child Grants are available to foster parents who have a Care Dependent child (the means test does not apply to foster parents). 

CARE DEPENDENCY GRANT OUTCOME

Applicants are notified in writing whether their application has been approved or rejected within 30 business days of submission. In the event that you are rejected, SASSA will provide you with a reason for the rejection.

If SASSA rejects your application, you can ask for a reassessment. SASSA Grant Application for Reconsideration can be downloaded here.

A Minister of Social Development appeal may be taken if your application is still rejected after reconsideration.

The first payment will be made within 3 months of the applicant being approved. Payments will be backdated to the date you applied. 

Care Dependency Grant Payments

On the date on which your grant application was approved, you will receive your payment.

(Depending on your preference) you can receive your Care Dependency Grant in one of three ways:

• Payable directly to your bank account
• Cash is collected at approved pay points
• From specific institutions

You will need to complete the Consent Form for Bank Payment of SASSA Grant as well as provide the following documents if you wish to receive your grant by bank account: a copy of your ID, birth certificate, drivers license, and proof of your bank account (received from the bank) or a bank statement showing your name and account number for a period of three months.

The new payment method will take effect the following month if you change your payment method at the Welfare office.

You may nominate someone to collect your grant on your behalf if you are unable to do so yourself. 

Care Dependency Grant Reviews

A copy of all your income must be included in your application.

To continue receiving grants, grant-holders must demonstrate that they still meet the grant’s criteria. We review your application to determine whether your circumstances have changed.

Applications will be notified by SASSA three months before they are reviewed. It will inform you when the review will take place, where it will take place, and what will happen afterward. A home visit will be conducted for bedridden applicants. You will receive a receipt of compliance after the review has been completed.

In the event that refugee status expires, an applicant’s application will be reviewed. 

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Grant Suspension

The following reasons may cause your grant to be suspended:

• Whether financially or medically, your circumstances change
• Your application contained false or incorrect information
• When the grant was being reviewed, you failed to cooperate
• Review results
• Despite the fact that it should not have been approved, the grant was approved

Grant Restoration

Within 90 days of receiving a suspension of your grant for any of the reasons above, you may apply to have it restored.

Care Dependency Grant Lapse

The following reasons may cause your grant to lapse:

• A care-dependent child who turns 18 loses their grant on the last day of the month in which they turn 18 (the child may still be eligible for a disability grant after turning 18).
• The grant will expire at the end of the month during which the care-dependent child died
• Upon admission to a state-funded institution, the grant expires seven months after the child’s admission.
• You are no longer a refugee or your child is care-dependent

Sassa Care Dependency Grant Notes

You have the following responsibilities as a grant holder:

• Whenever your personal or financial situation changes, keep SASSA informed
• If your physical address or contact information changes, keep SASSA informed

SASSA will send official notices by registered mail to your most recent address if you change your address. Your grant may be suspended if you fail to respond to the notices or do not act on them.

Fraudulent activities will not be tolerated by SASSA.

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FAQs

Conclusion

The SASSA Care Dependency Grant serves as a vital support system for individuals with severe disabilities or medical conditions in South Africa. By providing financial assistance and access to essential services, the grant enhances the quality of life for beneficiaries and their families. It is crucial for eligible individuals to understand the application process, meet the necessary criteria, and access the support they deserve.

Also, read How to Cancel SASSA Relief Grant or Reinstate it?