SASSA Child Support Grant: Application, Amount & Key Details

Are you sick and tired of dealing with the financial challenges while raising a child as a guardian or caregiver? Let me tell you about the SASSA Child Support Grant (CSG) that shares your burden. This program helps you to access a monthly stipend per child. With this much-provided relief, you can provide better care to the child under your guardianship, giving them access to healthcare, education, and other essential resources.

Sounds good? There is another good news that this grant is extended beyond biological parents and is accessible to caregivers also. I agree that taking care of a child is very expensive. Therefore, I want to help you understand how the grant works, the application process, status check, and other important details.

How Much is Child Support Grant in 2024?

The child grant amount is currently R530 /month per child with an additional top-up amount of R260 /month per child, bringing the total to R790 per month per child.

The grant was increased by R20 this year and will remain the same after October 2024. However, the top-up amount will increase by R10 in October 2024, making the total top-up amount R270.

How Much is Child Support Grant in 2024?

Who is Eligible to Receive a Child Grant?

According to the eligibility criteria, to qualify for the grant, you must be:

South African citizens, hold permanent resident status or have refugee status
Older than 16 years as the primary caregiver of the child
Your child should be under 18 years old
The child must not be in the care of a government institution
Can’t get grant for more than 6 children (who are not adopted or biological)
Applicant and spouse must comply with the means test

What is Means Test for SASSA Child Grant?

The means test aims to determine whether the family is eligible for the grant based on income. Means test criteria for children grant was also updated in April 2024. Following are the latest income thresholds;

For Single Person: R 63,600 per year income
For Married Person: R 127,200 per year income

Who Qualifies for Child Support Grant Top Up?

To receive the top-up amount, the beneficiary must meet the general requirements and prove the child is an orphan by providing:

Copies of the death certificates of both father and mother
If one parent is deceased and the other is unknown, the applicant must provide the death certificate of one parent and an affidavit attesting to the unknown status of the other parent.

What Documents are Needed to Apply for a Child Grant?

The below-mentioned certified documents are necessary for social grant application:

South African identity document of applicant and spouse
The child’s identity document or birth certificate
Marital status certificate / Decree of Divorce
Proof of income if declared
If no income then the SASSA affidavit
Certified copy of bank statement
Proof of any maintenance received
If you’re not the child’s biological parent, you must prove you’re the primary caretaker by providing one of the following; a sworn police statement, a letter from the school principal, a social worker’s report, or permission from the biological parents.
A death certificate or missing person report (if any parent is missing)

How to Apply for Child Support Grant?

Apply by Visiting Nearest Office

You can apply for this assistance by visiting the nearest SASSA office:

Visit the SASSA office located in your area
Meet with the SASSA officer who will guide you and provide the necessary forms
Obtain the Child Grant application form and fill it accurately
Attach attested copies of all required documents
Review and submit the form
Get a dated stamped receipt, and keep it safe for future assistance

More detailed information is available on official SASSA website at www.sassa.gov.za.

Apply for Child Grant Online

To get social grants, you can apply online as well. The application process is divided into sections starting from registration and then the submission process.

Step 1: Registration on SASSA services portal

Visit the web portal of SASSA services
Register Your Account
Check “I Agree” and approve your consent
Fill “Client-Registration e-form” :

Citizenship
ID number
ID document type
Confirm identity number
Choose your title
Write surname and full name
Provide an active email address
Choose and confirm the password
Add a cell phone number

Click the “Register Me” button

Your account is created and you will receive the confirmation text soon.

Step 2: Submission of child grant application

Login to your account
Click “Apply for a Grant” and then select “Child Support Grant”
Fill out the form
Upload scanned copies of high-resolution documents
Submit the application

Child Support Grant Payment Dates for 2024-2025

Here is the payday schedule for under 18 sassa grant from March 2024 to March 2025:

April: 5/04/2024
May: 7/05/2024
June: 6/06/2024
July: 4/07/2024
August: 6/08/2024
September: 5/09/2024
October: 4/10/2024
November: 7/11/2024
December: 5/12/2024
January: 7/01/2025
February: 6/02/2025
March: 6/03/2025

What if your Application is not Approved?

SASSA takes about three months to decide on your children’s grant application. If your application is successful, you will receive grant from the day you applied. In case, your grant is rejected, you have the option to appeal. Visit DSD website and appeal within 90 days of receiving the rejection notification.

When Does Children’s Support Grant Stop?

A child’s death or absence from the country
Child turns 18 years of age
Failure to claim for 3 consecutive months
The child admitted to any state institution

FAQs

SASSA’s processing time for this grant is three months.

When applying, you can specify the payment method. The grant can be paid out in cash from a designated point or you can directly get the deposited amount into your bank account.

The child grant is reviewed periodically. It is important to inform the department about changing circumstances, otherwise they will cancel the grant.

When the SASSA Kids Support Grant application is approved, you will start receiving the funds from the date you applied.

Yes, you must provide certified copies of your documents.

Dial USSD code *120*3210# or *120*69277# on your phone.