Apply for SASSA Child Support Grant
Monthly support for qualifying primary caregivers
The SASSA Child Support Grant helps a qualifying primary caregiver meet the basic needs of a child under 18. The caregiver does not always have to be the child’s biological parent, but must take primary responsibility for the child’s daily care and meet the applicable SASSA requirements.
You can apply for the SASSA Child Support Grant if you are the primary caregiver of a child under 18, you and the child live in South Africa, you meet SASSA’s citizenship or residence requirements and your household meets the applicable means test. The current Child Support Grant is R580 per month per qualifying child.
The grant is paid to the primary caregiver to help meet the child’s basic needs. It is not restricted only to biological mothers. Fathers, grandparents and other qualifying caregivers can apply where they are genuinely responsible for the child’s daily care.
For a comparison with other child grants, see Type of SASSA Grants .
Who Qualifies for the SASSA Child Support Grant?
The current SASSA eligibility rules require the caregiver and child to meet several conditions.
A qualifying father, grandparent, adult relative or another person who has primary responsibility for the child’s daily needs can potentially qualify.
Who Counts as the Primary Caregiver?
The primary caregiver is the person who takes the main responsibility for meeting the child’s daily care needs.
A biological or legally recognised parent who provides the child’s day-to-day care can apply where the other requirements are met.
A relative caring for the child can potentially qualify even though they are not the child’s biological parent.
A person who is not related to the child can potentially qualify if they can prove that they have primary responsibility for the child’s daily needs.
How old must the caregiver be?
SASSA’s current Child Support Grant information says the primary caregiver must be older than 16 years.
What if you are not the child’s parent?
SASSA may require evidence showing that you are genuinely the child’s primary caregiver.
Supporting evidence can include, depending on the case:
- An affidavit confirming the caregiving arrangement.
- A social worker’s report.
- A statement or affidavit from the biological parent.
- A letter from the child’s school principal.
- Other evidence requested by SASSA.
SASSA can ask for evidence showing who is actually responsible for the child’s daily care.
How Much Is the SASSA Child Support Grant?
The current monthly amount is R580 for each qualifying child.
A qualifying relative caring for an orphan can receive the standard R580 plus the current 50% Top-Up of R290.
This page uses an evergreen URL. When government changes the Child Support Grant amount, the amount on this page should be updated rather than creating a new article with a different year in the URL.
SASSA Child Support Grant Means Test
The Child Support Grant is subject to a means test.
The purpose of the means test is to determine whether the caregiver’s financial circumstances fall within the limits set for the grant.
SASSA can consider:
- The caregiver’s income.
- The spouse’s income where the caregiver is married.
- Bank statements.
- Salary or wages.
- Pension or annuity income.
- Interest and investments.
- Rental income.
- Other income relevant to the application.
Means-test limits are adjusted over time. Some older government pages continue to display financial thresholds from previous grant cycles, so an old figure should not be treated as the current limit simply because it still appears online.
Does your spouse’s income count?
Yes, where the applicant is married, SASSA applies the applicable means-test requirements to the caregiver and spouse.
Do you need to be unemployed?
No. Employment by itself does not automatically prevent a caregiver from qualifying.
The important question is whether the applicant’s financial circumstances fall within the applicable Child Support Grant means test.
Can You Get the Grant for More Than One Child?
Yes. A primary caregiver can receive the Child Support Grant for more than one qualifying child.
The current SASSA eligibility information says an applicant cannot apply for more than six children who are not their biological children.
This rule should not be read as saying that a biological parent can receive a grant only for six of their own qualifying children. The restriction specifically concerns non-biological children under the current SASSA wording.
Documents Needed for the Child Support Grant
The exact document list depends on your family circumstances and the information supplied in the application.
SASSA Services currently says documents uploaded through its portal should be certified and that the system generates the supporting document list based on the information in the application.
What if you do not have an ID or the child’s birth certificate?
The official grant application process provides an alternative route for applicants who do not yet have the normal identity documents.
Depending on the situation, SASSA can require:
- A SASSA-format affidavit completed before a Commissioner of Oaths.
- A sworn statement from a reputable person who knows you and the child.
- Proof that an ID or birth certificate has been applied for at Home Affairs.
- A temporary identity document where available.
- A baptismal certificate where available.
- The child’s Road to Health card where available.
- A school report where available.
Follow any SASSA instruction to complete the Home Affairs identity or birth-registration process.
How to Apply for the SASSA Child Support Grant
The current SASSA Services Portal includes the Child Support Grant among its grant options.
Applicants can register a profile, complete the applicable online application and upload supporting documents where the portal allows the service.
You can also apply through a SASSA office using the normal social grant application procedure.
Keep the receipt issued after the application because it is proof of the date on which you applied.
Make sure you are genuinely responsible for the child’s daily needs.
The child must be under 18 under the current Child Support Grant rules.
Gather your ID or residence documentation and the child’s birth record.
Gather the income and banking information required for the means test.
If you are not the child’s parent, gather evidence showing that you are the primary caregiver.
Use SASSA Services where applicable or complete the application through a SASSA office.
Save the online confirmation or keep the receipt provided by SASSA.
Check the application status and respond if SASSA requests more documents.
Can You Apply for the Child Support Grant Online?
Yes. The current SASSA Services Portal includes the Child Support Grant among its online grant service options.
To use SASSA Services, you generally need to:
- Create a SASSA Services profile.
- Provide your cellphone number for OTP verification.
- Provide an email address for notifications.
- Complete the Child Support Grant application.
- Upload the supporting documents generated for your application.
- Submit the application and monitor the status.
If identity verification fails, documentation cannot be completed online or SASSA specifically instructs you to attend an office, follow the instructions given for your case.
What Is the Child Support Grant Top-Up?
The Child Support Grant Top-Up provides additional support for qualifying relatives caring for orphaned children.
It is an additional amount linked to the Child Support Grant for eligible relatives caring for orphaned children.
Who can apply for the Top-Up?
The policy is aimed at qualifying relatives caring for orphaned children, including relatives such as:
- Grandparents.
- Brothers or sisters.
- Aunts or uncles.
- Cousins.
- Other qualifying relatives caring for an orphan.
Do you need a foster-care court order?
The Child Support Grant Top-Up was specifically introduced so that eligible relatives caring for orphans could obtain the higher Child Support Grant without first having to obtain a foster-care court order for the child.
The relative still needs to meet the Child Support Grant eligibility requirements and provide the required proof that the child is an orphan.
The Foster Child Grant applies where a child has been legally placed in foster care. The CSG Top-Up is a different route for qualifying relatives caring for orphaned children.
For court-ordered foster care, see SASSA Foster Child Grant .
Child Support Grant vs Care Dependency Grant
A Child Support Grant is not the same as the Care Dependency Grant.
| Grant | Who it is mainly for | Current amount |
|---|---|---|
| Child Support Grant | A qualifying primary caregiver raising a child under 18. | R580 per qualifying child |
| Child Support Grant Top-Up | A qualifying relative caring for an orphaned child. | R870 under the current R580 + R290 structure |
| Care Dependency Grant | A qualifying caregiver of a child under 18 with a severe disability requiring permanent or full-time special care. | R2,400 |
| Foster Child Grant | A child legally placed in foster care under a court order. | R1,290 before the scheduled October 2026 increase |
If the child has a severe disability requiring permanent special care, read SASSA Care Dependency Grant .
How Long Does a Child Support Grant Application Take?
The official government service information says a Child Support Grant application can take up to three months to process.
The process can include:
- Identity verification.
- Checking the child’s information.
- Verifying the caregiver relationship.
- Means-test assessment.
- Reviewing financial information.
- Checking outstanding supporting documents.
Keep your application receipt or electronic confirmation because it shows when the application was submitted.
How Is the Child Support Grant Paid?
The grant can be deposited electronically into an approved bank account.
Applicable beneficiaries can access payments through the approved Postbank grant-payment arrangement.
An institution can administer the grant in qualifying circumstances.
When are Child Support Grants paid?
Child Support Grants fall within the Children’s Grants category on SASSA’s normal monthly payment calendar.
The Children’s Grant date changes from month to month.
Check SASSA Payment Dates for confirmed dates.
Once the money is available in the approved account, it can remain there until you need to use it.
How to Check Your Child Support Grant Status
Applications connected to SASSA Services can be tracked through the portal.
SASSA Services currently shows statuses including:
- Application Submitted.
- Application Assessed.
- Application Documents Outstanding.
- Application Pending.
- Incomplete Application Saved.
Use How to Check Your SASSA Grant Status for the meaning of each status.
If the portal shows that the application is incomplete, finish the required sections and submit it before expecting a final assessment.
What If Your Child Support Grant Is Rejected?
SASSA should inform you why the application was unsuccessful.
Possible reasons can include:
- The child does not meet the age requirement.
- The applicant is not accepted as the primary caregiver.
- The means test is not met.
- Required documents are missing.
- Identity information cannot be verified.
- The child is cared for in a state institution.
- The residence requirements are not met.
- The non-biological child limit is exceeded.
The standard social grant process provides for an appeal within 90 days after notification that the application was unsuccessful.
The Child Support Grant is a standard social grant. The SRD R370 uses a separate Independent Tribunal appeal process.
Can SASSA Review a Child Support Grant?
Yes. SASSA can review the grant after approval to confirm that the caregiver and child continue to meet the eligibility requirements.
A review can involve checking:
- Caregiver income.
- Spouse income where applicable.
- Whether the child remains in the caregiver’s care.
- Residence information.
- Identity information.
- Banking information.
- Other eligibility circumstances.
Failure to respond to a legitimate review can delay payments and can eventually affect continued eligibility.
When Does the Child Support Grant Stop?
A Child Support Grant does not continue indefinitely.
The grant can end or be affected when:
- The child reaches the end of the qualifying age period.
- The child dies.
- The caregiver no longer has the child in their care.
- The child is admitted to a state institution under circumstances that end eligibility.
- The financial circumstances no longer meet the applicable rules.
- The grant was obtained using false information or fraud.
- SASSA cannot confirm continued eligibility after a required review.
What happens when the child turns 18?
The standard Child Support Grant is for a child under the age of 18. It does not automatically convert into another SASSA grant when the child reaches adulthood.
If the young person has a severe disability or another circumstance that may qualify them for a different grant after age 18, that grant has its own application and eligibility process.
Common Child Support Grant Application Mistakes
| Mistake | Better approach |
|---|---|
| Using an old means-test figure | Check the current financial requirements when applying. |
| Not proving primary caregiving | If you are not the parent, prepare evidence that you are responsible for the child’s daily care. |
| Missing child documents | Prepare the birth certificate and other requested child records. |
| Ignoring spouse income | Provide the required spouse information if you are married. |
| Confusing CSG with Foster Child Grant | Use the grant that matches the child’s actual legal and caregiving circumstances. |
| Paying someone to apply | The SASSA grant application is free. Use official SASSA services. |
| Not completing an online application | Check that the portal shows the application as submitted rather than saved as incomplete. |
| Losing the application receipt | Keep proof of the application until SASSA has finalised the case. |
Useful SASSA Guides
Main SASSA guide covering grant types, applications, amounts and payments.
Compare the Child Support Grant with other SASSA grants.
Track an application and understand current application statuses.
Check confirmed Children’s Grant payment dates.
For a qualifying child with a severe disability requiring full-time special care.
For children legally placed in foster care under the applicable court process.
Visit the SASSA category for applications, grant amounts, status checks, payment dates and beneficiary help.
SASSA Child Support Grant Questions
How much is the SASSA Child Support Grant?
The current standard Child Support Grant is R580 per month for each qualifying child.
What age must a child be for the Child Support Grant?
The child must be under 18 under the current SASSA Child Support Grant rules.
How old must the primary caregiver be?
SASSA’s current Child Support Grant information says the primary caregiver must be older than 16 years.
Does the caregiver have to be the child’s biological parent?
No. A qualifying person who is not the biological parent can receive the grant if they are the child’s genuine primary caregiver and can provide the evidence required by SASSA.
Can a grandmother apply for the Child Support Grant?
Yes, a grandmother or another qualifying caregiver can potentially apply if they have primary responsibility for the child and meet the other SASSA requirements.
Can a father apply for the Child Support Grant?
Yes. The Child Support Grant is not restricted to mothers. A father who is the qualifying primary caregiver can apply.
Do I need to be unemployed to get the Child Support Grant?
No. Employment does not automatically disqualify a caregiver. SASSA uses the applicable means test to determine whether the applicant’s financial circumstances qualify.
Does my husband’s or wife’s income count?
Yes, where the applicant is married, the applicant and spouse must meet the applicable SASSA means-test requirements.
Can I receive the Child Support Grant for more than one child?
Yes. A qualifying caregiver can receive the grant for multiple qualifying children. SASSA currently limits an applicant to six non-biological children.
Can I apply for the Child Support Grant online?
Yes. SASSA’s current Services Portal includes the Child Support Grant among its available grant service options.
How much does it cost to apply?
The SASSA Child Support Grant application is free.
What documents do I need?
Documents can include the caregiver’s identity document, the child’s birth certificate, proof of income, bank statements, marital status documents, maintenance information and proof of primary caregiving where required.
What if I do not have the child’s birth certificate?
SASSA has an alternative application process involving affidavits and other evidence where normal identity documents are not yet available, but the caregiver should also follow the Home Affairs process to obtain the required birth certificate.
How long does the Child Support Grant application take?
The official government service information says an application can take up to three months to process.
Will I be paid from the date I applied?
Government guidance states that if the Child Support Grant application is approved, payment is generally calculated from the date of the successful application.
What is the Child Support Grant Top-Up?
The Top-Up is additional support attached to the Child Support Grant for qualifying relatives caring for orphaned children. It is not a separate grant.
How much is the Child Support Grant Top-Up?
With the standard Child Support Grant currently at R580, the 50% Top-Up is R290, giving a current combined amount of R870 for a qualifying child.
Do I need a foster-care court order for the CSG Top-Up?
The Top-Up was introduced so that qualifying relatives caring for orphans could receive enhanced Child Support Grant assistance without first needing a foster-care court order. The applicant must still provide the required proof that the child is an orphan and meet the Child Support Grant requirements.
What can I do if my Child Support Grant application is rejected?
SASSA should provide the reason for the rejection. If you disagree with the final decision, the standard social grant process generally allows an appeal within 90 days after notification.
When are Child Support Grants paid?
The Child Support Grant is paid within SASSA’s Children’s Grants payment category. The exact payment date changes each month according to the official SASSA calendar.
Can SASSA review the Child Support Grant later?
Yes. SASSA can review a grant after approval to confirm that the caregiver and child continue to meet the eligibility requirements.
SASSA Child Support Grant Help
Need help with a Child Support Grant application?
Contact SASSA if you cannot complete the application, cannot prove that you are the primary caregiver, have missing child documents, need clarification about the current means test or have waited beyond the normal processing period without an outcome.
How to Apply for SASSA Child Support Grant in 2025
The Child Support Grant is a social grant provided by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) to assist needy primary caregivers in raising children under 18. This guide outlines the eligibility criteria, application process, payment details, and what to do if your application is not approved, ensuring you can access this essential financial support in 2025.
Table of Contents
- Do You Qualify for the Child Support Grant?
- How Much Will You Get?
- How Will You Be Paid?
- When May the Child’s Grant Be Reviewed?
- When May the Child’s Grant Be Suspended?
- When Will the Child’s Grant Lapse?
- How to Apply for the Grant
- What If Your Application Is Not Approved?
- How Long Does It Take?
- How Much Does It Cost?
- FAQs for SASSA Child Support Grant
Do You Qualify for the Child Support Grant?
To qualify for the Child Support Grant, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be the child’s primary caregiver (e.g., parent, grandparent, or a child over 16 heading a family). If not the parent, provide proof of primary caregiving through:
- An affidavit from a police official.
- A social worker’s report.
- An affidavit from the biological parent.
- A letter from the principal of the child’s school.
- Be a South African citizen or permanent resident.
- Not earn more than R52,800 per year if single or R105,600 combined if married.
- Both you and the child must live in South Africa.
The child must:
- Be under 18 years old.
- Not be cared for in a state institution.
- Live with the primary caregiver who is not paid to look after the child.
Note: You cannot receive this grant for more than six non-biological or non-legally adopted children.
How Much Will You Get?
You will receive R560 per month per child (comprising a base amount of R560 plus a top-up of R280).
How Will You Be Paid?
SASSA will pay the grant through one of the following methods:
- Cash at a specific pay point on a particular day.
- Electronic deposit into your bank or Postbank account (note: the bank may charge a fee for this service).
- An institution acting as the administrator of the grant.
Note: If you are unable to collect the money yourself, you can appoint a procurator at a SASSA office or give someone power of attorney to collect the grant on your behalf.
When May the Child’s Grant Be Reviewed?
SASSA may decide to review the child’s grant based on the income you declared during your application. You will be notified three months in advance of the review date or when a life certificate (proof that the child is still alive) is due. If you receive the grant through a bank, institution, or procurator, you must complete a life certificate for the child at a SASSA office every year.
When May the Child’s Grant Be Suspended?
The child’s grant may be suspended for the following reasons:
- A change in your circumstances (e.g., increased income).
- The outcome of a review.
- Failure to cooperate during a review.
- Committing fraud or misrepresenting the child.
- A mistake made during the approval of the grant.
- The child is no longer in your care.
When Will the Child’s Grant Lapse?
The grant will lapse if:
- The child passes away.
- The child is admitted to a state institution.
- The caregiver does not claim the grant for three consecutive months.
- The child is absent from South Africa.
- The child turns 18 (at the end of the month).
How to Apply for the Grant
To apply for the Child Support Grant, follow these steps:
- Visit the nearest SASSA office.
- Bring the following documents:
- Your 13-digit bar-coded South African ID and the child’s birth certificate. If you don’t have an ID or the child’s birth certificate:
- Complete an affidavit on a standard SASSA format in the presence of a Commissioner of Oaths (not a SASSA official).
- Provide a sworn statement by a reputable person (e.g., councillor, traditional leader, social worker, minister of religion) who knows you and the child.
- Proof of application for an ID and/or birth certificate at the Department of Home Affairs.
- A temporary ID issued by the Department of Home Affairs (if applicable).
- Baptismal certificate (if available).
- Road to health clinic card (if available).
- School report (if available).
- Proof of any maintenance you receive for the child.
- Proof of your earnings.
- Your marriage certificate (if applicable).
- If divorced, the court order confirming custody of the child.
- If one or both parents are deceased or missing, the death certificate or a missing person’s report from the police.
- Your 13-digit bar-coded South African ID and the child’s birth certificate. If you don’t have an ID or the child’s birth certificate:
- Complete the application form in the presence of a SASSA official (only you or the official may fill out the form).
- Receive a receipt as proof of your application.
What If Your Application Is Not Approved?
If your application is not approved, SASSA will inform you in writing with the reasons for the decision. If you disagree, you can appeal to the Minister of Social Development at the national Department of Social Development within 90 days of receiving the notification.
How Long Does It Take?
It may take up to three months to process your application. If approved, payments will start from the date you applied.
How Much Does It Cost?
The application process is free.
FAQs for SASSA Child Support Grant
Yes, you can apply if you are the child’s primary caregiver (e.g., grandparent or a child over 16 heading a family). You must provide proof of primary caregiving, such as an affidavit from a police official, a social worker’s report, an affidavit from the biological parent, or a letter from the child’s school principal.
If you lack an ID or the child’s birth certificate, you must complete a SASSA affidavit in the presence of a Commissioner of Oaths (not a SASSA official) and provide a sworn statement from a reputable person verifying your identity and the child’s. You must also show proof of applying for an ID or birth certificate at the Department of Home Affairs.
You cannot receive the Child Support Grant for more than six children who are not your biological or legally adopted children.
If the grant is suspended due to changes in circumstances, failure to cooperate during a review, fraud, or a mistake in approval, contact your nearest SASSA office to address the issue. You may need to provide updated information or appeal the decision.
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