Sassa Foster Child Grant: How to Apply in 2023?

SASSA offers Foster Child Grants to foster parents or caregivers who take care of foster children placed under their care through the foster care system. Foster Child Grants serve as a social grant program to support foster parents or caregivers. The Foster Child Grant consists of the following important points:

SASSA Foster Child Grant

Foster care is an essential system that provides support and care for children who are unable to live with their biological parents. The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) recognizes the importance of foster care and offers various grants to assist foster parents in fulfilling their responsibilities. One such grant is the SASSA Foster Child Grant, which provides financial aid to foster parents to support the well-being and development of the foster child.

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Understanding the SASSA Foster Child Grant

Assisting foster parents to provide for the needs of foster children, the SASSA Foster Child Grant is a government initiative. As part of this grant, the recipient is able to cover essential expenses for their child’s well-being, including education, healthcare, clothing, and other necessities. Foster parents will be relieved of financial burdens, and foster children will receive proper care and support.

Application Process for the SASSA Foster Child Grant

There is a straightforward process for applying for the SASSA Foster Child Grant. Foster parents can obtain the necessary application forms from their local SASSA office or online portal. Forms require detailed information about foster parents, foster children, and proof of eligibility. In order to expedite the application process, it is essential to provide accurate and current information.

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Foster Child Grant Eligibility Criteria

The following criteria must be met in order to be eligible for the Foster Child Grant:

• South African citizenship, permanent residency, or refugee status is required.
• Foster a child or provide care to one placed in your care through foster care.
• Under the age of 18 must be a child.
• For the child, the government cannot provide any other social grants.

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Foster Child Grant Requirements

In order to apply for a foster child grant through SASSA, applicants must bring the following documents (originals or certified copies):

• A SASSA official will assist you in filling out a sworn statement or affidavit if you do not have the child’s birth certificate available.
• An official of the SASSA will assist you in filling out a sworn statement or affidavit form if you do not have your South African Identity Document available.
• If you are a refugee, your status permit and refugee ID
• If you are married, your spouse’s South African Identity Document (a SASSA official can assist you in filling out an affidavit or sworn statement if this document is not available).
• Obtain proof of your spouse’s relationship – any of the following:
  • Certificate of marriage: if you are married
  • If divorced, divorce order:
  • Death certificate of your spouse if he or she has passed away
  • If any of the above do not apply (e.g., if you are living with a partner and unmarried, if you are separated or do not have contact with your spouse), then please provide a sworn statement or affidavit.
• Foster parent court order proving your role as a foster parent

How to Apply For Foster Child Grant Application

A social worker from the Department of Social Development should be consulted before you apply for a foster child grant. Your legal status as a foster parent will be confirmed by the social worker’s court order.

You can apply for the Foster Child Grant in person at a SASSA office near you or you may apply online (read instructions here on how to do so).

SASSA’s office has the application form, which must be completed in the presence of a SASSA officer. You can get assistance from a SASSA officer if you or they are unable to complete the application form.

As soon as your application is completed and stamped, you’ll receive a receipt with the name of the SASSA official who helped you. As proof of application, you must keep your receipt.

You do not have to pay anything to apply.

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Benefits and Coverage of the SASSA Foster Child Grant

Foster parents can receive financial assistance from SASSA to meet the basic needs of their foster children through the Foster Child Grant. In addition to school fees and textbooks, the grant covers various educational expenses. As well as medical check-ups, vaccinations, and treatment costs, it also helps with healthcare costs. Further, clothing, nutrition, and other essentials necessary for the child’s well-being are covered by the grant.

SASSA Foster Child Grant Outcome

Applicants are notified in writing if their applications have been approved or rejected within 90 days of their application submission. SASSA will provide you with the reason for your rejection if you were rejected.

A SASSA reassessment can be requested if your application is rejected. SASSA Grant Application for Reconsideration can be downloaded here.

A minister of social development may hear your appeal if, after reconsideration, your application is still rejected. 

SASSA Foster Child Grant Payments

Once your grant application has been approved, you will receive your payment on the application date. The Children’s Court will pay you the grant once the child is legally placed in your care.

Depending on your preference, SASSA will pay your Foster Child Grant in the following ways:

• Your bank account will be debited directly
• Pay points approved for cash collection
• From specific institutions

A Consent Form for Bank Payment of the SASSA Grant must be completed, along with the following documents, if you wish to receive your grant in your bank account. Proof of identity (ID, birth certificate, driver’s license) and proof of your bank account (received from the bank) or 3 months’ bank statement that identifies your personal details (name and bank account number).

Your new payment method will take effect the following month if you visit the Welfare office to change it.

It is possible for you to nominate someone to collect your grant for you if you are unable to do so yourself.

Grants must be collected every month – if they aren’t collected for three consecutive months, they will be cancelled and you’ll have to apply again. 

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SASSA Foster Child Grant Reviews

Generally, the grant will be reviewed every two years as soon as the court order expires.

In order to continue receiving a grant, grant-holders must confirm that they still meet the grant’s criteria. The purpose of reviewing your application is to determine whether your circumstances have changed.

An applicant will receive a written notice from SASSA three months before their application will be reviewed. Upon receiving the notification, you will be informed when the review will be conducted and what will happen afterward. An acknowledgment of compliance will be sent to you following the completion of the review. 

SASSA Foster Child Grant Suspension

The following reasons may cause your grant to be suspended:

• You no longer qualify for the grant due to a change in circumstances
• Your application contained inaccurate or false information
• When the grant was being reviewed, you failed to cooperate
• A review’s outcome
• There was an error in approving the grant

SASSA Foster Child Grant Restoration

Within 90 days of receiving the suspension, you can apply to have the grant reinstated if it was suspended for one of the reasons above. 

SASSA Foster Child Grant Lapse

The following reasons may cause your grant to lapse:

• A child who has reached 18 years of age will lose the grant at the end of the month in which he or she turns 18
• As the child has died, the grant will expire on the last day of the month of death
• You have been removed from the care of the foster child
• State-funded institutions admit children whose grants expire after seven months from the date of admission
• A child leaves school
• Foster parents are no longer alive
• Foster parents fail to claim the grant for three consecutive months

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SASSA Foster Child Grant Notes

You have the following responsibilities as a grant holder:

• If your or your child’s personal or financial circumstances change, please inform SASSA as soon as possible
• Changes in your physical address or contact information should be brought to the attention of SASSA

SASSA will send official notices to the applicant’s most recent address by registered mail, so applicants must inform SASSA immediately of any changes. Grants may be suspended if you do not respond to the notices or if you do not act upon them.

Fraudulent activities will not be tolerated by SASSA.

Responsibilities and Obligations of Foster Parents

The role of foster parents is crucial for foster children’s development and growth. Foster parents must also fulfill certain obligations and responsibilities in addition to receiving financial assistance from SASSA. 

Support the foster child emotionally, provide educational opportunities, and ensure that he or she has access to health care and education. Maintaining regular contact with SASSA and complying with any required reporting requirements is also important for foster parents.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

SASSA Foster Child Grants help foster parents provide the necessary support and care to foster children. Providing educational, healthcare, and basic needs assistance through these grants ensures that vulnerable children have a brighter future. If you are a foster parent in South Africa, you can benefit from the SASSA Foster Child Grant.