What is Child Grant?
The child support grant is important for the protection of children living in poverty. It provides financial support to the primary caregiver in need, of any child under the age of 18.
How To Qualify For a Child Grant In South Africa
How do you know if you qualify?
You must:
- Be the child’s primary caregiver (e.g. parent, grandparent, or a child over 16 heading a family). Note: If you are not the child’s parent, you must provide proof that you are the child’s primary caregiver through an affidavit from a police official, a social worker’s report, an affidavit from the biological parent, or a letter from the principal of the school attended by the child.
- Be a South African citizen or permanent resident.
- Do not earn more than R52 800 per year if you are single. If you are married, your combined income should not be above R105 600 per year.
The child must:
- be under the age of 18 years
- not be cared for in a state institution
- live with the primary caregiver who is not paid to look after the child.
Both you and the child must live in South Africa.
Note: You cannot get this grant for more than six children who are not your biological or legally adopted children.
How will you be paid?
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) will pay the grant to you through one of the following methods:
- cash at a specific pay point on a particular day
- electronic deposit into your bank or Postbank account (the bank may charge you for the service)
- an institution acting as administrator of the grant.
How long does it take
- It may take up to three months to process your application.
- If your grant is approved, you will be paid from the date on which you applied.
How much does it cost
The service is free.
Types of grants
Social Assistance is provided in the form of:
• Grant for older persons;
• Disability grant;
• War veterans grant;
• Care dependency grant;
• Foster child grant;
• Child support grant;
• Grant-in-aid;
• Social relief of distress.