SASSA Child Support Grant: How to Apply?

SASSA Child Support Grant are payments from the South African government to primary caregivers of children under 18. Primary caregivers can be parents, grandparents, or anyone over 16 who has primary responsibility for caring for the child. Children in low-income households can apply for the grant if they need financial assistance to take care of their children.

Up to six children, other than their biological or legal children, may be supported by a primary caregiver.

A top-up CSG was introduced by SASSA on 1 June 2022 in order to help relatives provide for the basic needs of orphans. Beginning on 1 April 2023, children will be entitled to a top-up payment of R250 per month.

The total amount of the Child Support Grant per child is R750 per month.

What is the child support grant?

The child support grant is designed to help low-income families meet their children’s basic needs. As a result of the grant, other income will not be replaced, but the gap in living expenses will be bridged. 

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Who can apply for the grant?

The following requirements must be met if you are the primary caregiver for a child (a parent, grandparent, or anyone who primarily cares for the child):

• Citizenship or permanent residency in South Africa is required.
• If you’re single, you shouldn’t earn more than R52 800 a year (R4 400 a month). You shouldn’t earn more than R105 600 (R8 800) per month if you’re married. 

Providing proof that you are the child’s primary caregiver is required if you are not the parent. A police report or the biological parent’s affidavit, a social worker’s report or a letter from the child’s school’s principal are all acceptable documents.

A child must meet the following requirements in order to qualify:

• You must be under the age of 18,
• Not be under the care of a state institution,
• Children live with their primary caregiver, who isn’t paid.

The child and you must live in South Africa. If your biological or legally adopted children are more than 6, you cannot receive the grant.

A grant isn’t available to you if you are:

• Taking care of the child for a fee,
• In addition to not being the primary caregiver for the child,
• A grant has already been awarded to the child,
• The institution you represent is responsible for the child’s care.

The grant is only available to people with low financial circumstances. Means tests are used to determine eligibility.

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Eligibility Criteria

SASSA Child Support Grant applications must be submitted in accordance with the eligibility requirements (note that these requirements are subject to change). As a rule, the following criteria must be met:

• South African citizens, permanent residents, and refugees are eligible to apply
• South Africa must be your home and the home of your child
• If you are the primary caregiver for the child (parent, grandparent, or anyone older than 16 years of age), you must be the primary care provider.
• To care for the child, you cannot receive any payment
• Under 18 years of age is required for the child
• If the child is of school going age, they must attend school
• A state institution cannot be the child’s place of care
• The means test must be met by you and your spouse

Documents Required

When applying for the SASSA child support grant, applicants must supply the following documents (original documents or certified copies):

• a copy of the child’s birth certificate (if you do not have this document, a SASSA official will help you fill out an affidavit or sworn statement).
• SASSA will assist you in filling out a sworn statement or affidavit form if you do not have a South African Identity Document.
• A sworn statement or affidavit from your spouse, if you are married (if you do not have this document available, a SASSA official will assist you).
• Any of the following can be used as proof of household income:
  • If employed, pay slips or bank statements for the last three months
  • If you are receiving UIF, you will need a UIF card
  • If unemployed and not receiving UIF, an affidavit from your previous employer or a discharge certificate
  • If you are receiving a pension, your pension receipt
  • Obtain proof that you have tried but have not been able to receive child support from the other biological parent
• The following documents will prove you are the child’s primary caretaker (if you are not the child’s parent):
  • An affidavit from the police
  • Report of a social worker
  • Affidavit from the biological parent of the child
  • Principal’s letter to the parent

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How to Apply For Sassa Child Support Grant

SASSA offices close to you can assist you with applications for the Child Support Grant, or you can apply online (click here for instructions on applying online).

You can have a family member or friend apply for you if you are unable to visit the SASSA branch yourself. The person must bring a doctor’s note explaining why they cannot come.

SASSA officers must be present when completing the application form at SASSA offices. You or your designated person can get help from a SASSA officer if you are unable to complete the application form.

Your SASSA official will provide you with a receipt when you have completed your application. As proof of your application, you must keep your receipt.

You can apply for FREE.

Grant Amount and Payment Schedule

SASSA Child Support Grants provide financial assistance to eligible beneficiaries on a monthly basis. In order to keep pace with the cost of living, the government adjusts the grant amount annually. Grant amounts are currently set at R500 per month per child. A SASSA payment card or direct deposit is used to make the monthly payment to caregivers. Beneficiaries benefit from convenience and security as a result.

Sassa Child Support Grant Means Test

A means test is used by SASSA to award social grants. In order to determine whether an applicant qualifies for a grant, a means test is used. For single applicants to pass the means test, they must earn less than R60 000 per year, and for married applicants, they must earn less than R120 000 per year (according to the thresholds as of 1 April 2023) .

In the case of married applicants, half the joint income will be taken into account.

Child Support Grant Outcome

The decision on your application will be communicated to you in writing within 90 days of receiving it. You will be informed why you were rejected by SASSA if you were rejected.

If SASSA rejects your application, you can request a reassessment. The SASSA Reconsideration Application can be downloaded here.

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

Before SASSA reviews applications, applicants will receive a notification in writing. You will receive a notification when and where the review will occur, as well as what will happen following the review. In the case of bedridden applicants, a home visit will be made. A compliance receipt will be issued to you after the review is complete. 

How is the Child Support Grant paid?

As soon as your grant is approved, you will receive payment on the date that you applied.
There are three ways in which you can receive your Child Support Grant (depending on your preference):

• Your bank account will be credited directly
• Paypoints approved for cash collection
• From specific institutions

To receive a SASSA grant in your bank account, you must fill out the Consent Form for Bank Payment of SASSA Grant along with the following documents: a copy of your identification (ID, birth certificate, drivers license) and a copy of your bank statement (received from the bank) showing your personal information (name and bank account number) for the past three months.

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

Your grant may be collected by someone else if you are unable to collect it yourself.

If you do not collect the grant each month for three consecutive months, the grant will be cancelled, and you will have to reapply.

Child Support Grant Reviews

All incomes received must be documented in your application.

To continue receiving the grant, grant-holders are reviewed to ensure that they still meet the requirements. If your circumstances have changed, your application will be reviewed.

Applications will be notified in writing three months before they are reviewed by SASSA. You will receive a notification when and where the review will take place and what will happen next. Upon completion of the compliance review, you will receive a receipt.

As soon as the refugee status expires, applications from refugees will be reviewed. 

Child Support Grant Suspension

The following reasons may cause your grant to be suspended:

• You no longer pass the means test because your financial circumstances have changed
• In your application, you provided false or incorrect information
• The grant review was not conducted in a cooperative manner by you
• Outcome of a review
• A grant was approved when it shouldn’t have been

Child Support Grant Restoration

Within 90 days of receiving the notice that your grant has been suspended, you may apply to have it restored.
 

Child Support Grant Cancellation

There are several reasons why your grant may be canceled:

• South Africa is no longer the child’s home
• As of the last day of the month in which the child turned 18, the grant will expire
• In the event that the child dies, the grant will expire on the last day of the month in which they died
• In the event that a child is admitted to a state-funded institution, the grant will expire on the first day of the seventh month following the date of admission
• Three consecutive months without claiming the grant by the primary caregiver

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Child Support Grant Notes

You have the following responsibilities as a grant holder:

• Inform SASSA if your or your child’s personal or financial circumstances change
• Changes to your physical address or contact information should be reported to SASSA immediately

You must notify SASSA immediately if your address changes, as official notices are sent to your most recent address. Suspension of your grant may occur if you do not receive or act upon the notices.

Neither SASSA nor its employees will tolerate any fraudulent activity.

Impact and Benefits

Families with vulnerable children have benefited significantly from the SASSA Child Support Grant. It reduces caregivers’ financial burden by providing a regular income. By receiving a grant, families are able to meet their children’s basic needs, including nutrition, education, and healthcare. As a result, beneficiaries have improved access to education and reduced school dropout rates. In addition, the grant contributes significantly to reducing poverty and social inequality by addressing financial disparities among vulnerable families.

Challenges and Criticisms

It is true that the SASSA Child Support Grant has been a valuable program, but it has also been met with challenges and criticism. Potential fraud and misuse of funds are two of the main concerns. In order to ensure that the grant reaches the intended beneficiaries, efforts are continually made to improve the verification process. There have also been calls for a higher grant amount to better align with the rising cost of living and support families more significantly.

Future Improvements

SASSA Child Support Grant is being improved in several ways to enhance its effectiveness. The process of application and payment will be streamlined with the development of better technology infrastructure. Increasing public awareness of the grant and its benefits will also make sure eligible families have access to it. In order to improve the overall support provided to vulnerable children and their families, SASSA needs to continue working with relevant stakeholders.

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FAQs

Conclusion

As part of South Africa’s efforts to uplift vulnerable children and families, the SASSA Child Support Grant plays a vital role. It alleviates poverty and promotes children’s development through its financial assistance. Grant beneficiaries continue to benefit from the grant despite challenges. As part of the government’s commitment to social welfare, the SASSA Child Support Grant ensures access to basic necessities and reduces inequality.

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