How to Apply for SASSA Foster Child Grant in 2025

The Foster Child Grant is a social grant provided by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) to support foster parents caring for children legally placed in their custody due to being orphaned, abandoned, at risk, abused, or neglected. 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.

SASSA Foster Child Grant.

Table of Contents

Do You Qualify for the Foster Child Grant?

To qualify for the Foster Child Grant, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee.
  • Live in South Africa, along with the child.
  • Have the foster child legally placed in your care by a court order, and the child must remain in your care.
  • The child must be younger than 18 years old.

How Much Will You Get?

You will receive R1,250 per month per child.

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 (e.g., welfare organizations).

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 Grant Be Reviewed?

The grant will be reviewed when the court order placing the child in your care expires, typically every two years. You will be notified three months in advance of the need to review the grant. If you receive the grant through a bank, institution, or procurator, you must complete a life certificate at a SASSA office every year to prove you are still alive.

When May the Grant Be Suspended?

The grant may be suspended for the following reasons:

  • A change in your circumstances.
  • The outcome of a review.
  • Failure to cooperate during a review.
  • Committing fraud or misrepresenting yourself.
  • A mistake made during the approval of the grant.

When Will the Grant Lapse?

The grant will lapse if:

  • The child or the last living foster parent passes away.
  • The child is admitted to a state institution.
  • The grant is not claimed for three consecutive months.
  • You are absent from South Africa.
  • The child is no longer in your foster care.
  • You are no longer a refugee (if applicable).

How to Apply for the Grant

To apply for the Foster Child Grant, follow these steps:

  1. Visit the nearest SASSA office.
  2. Bring the following documents:
    • Your 13-digit bar-coded South African ID and the child’s birth certificate.
    • If you are a refugee, your status permit and refugee ID.
    • If you don’t have your 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, or school principal) who knows you and the child.
      • Submit proof that you have applied for an ID and/or birth certificate at the Department of Home Affairs.
      • Submit a temporary ID issued by the Department of Home Affairs (if applicable).
    • A baptismal certificate (if available).
    • A road to health clinic card (if available).
    • If the child is at school, the child’s school certificate.
    • Birth certificate(s) of the child/children or their identity documents from their country of origin.
    • Court order that placed the child in your care.
    • Proof of your marital status.
  3. Complete the application form in the presence of a SASSA officer (only you or the officer may fill out the form).
  4. Receive a receipt as proof of your application.

Note: If you are too old or sick to visit the office, a family member or friend can apply on your behalf with a letter from you and/or a doctor’s note explaining why you cannot attend. If you don’t obtain an ID, your grant may be suspended.

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 the court placed the child in your care.

How Much Does It Cost?

The application process is free.

FAQs for SASSA Foster Child Grant

Can I apply for the Foster Child Grant if the child is over 18?

No, the child must be younger than 18 years old to qualify for the Foster Child Grant.

What happens if I don’t have the child’s birth certificate?

If you don’t have the child’s birth certificate, you can complete an affidavit on a standard SASSA format, provide a sworn statement from a reputable person who knows you and the child, and submit proof that you have applied for the birth certificate at the Department of Home Affairs.

How often is the grant reviewed?

The grant is reviewed when the court order placing the child in your care expires, typically every two years. You will be notified three months in advance of the review.

What is a life certificate, and why is it required?

A life certificate is a document to prove that you, the foster parent, are still alive. If you receive the grant through a bank, institution, or procurator, you must complete this certificate annually at a SASSA office.

Contact SASSA

For further assistance, you can contact SASSA through the following channels: