Comprehensive Guide to the SASSA Child Support Grant (CGS)

bySifiso Andreas Last updated on:

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.

SASSA CHILD SUPPORT GRANT

How Much is Child Support Grant in 2025?

The child support grant amount is currently R560 per month per child, following a R30 increase announced in the 2025 Budget Speech. This increase took effect from April 1, 2025. The top-up amount remains at R270 per month per child, bringing the total to R830 per month per child for those receiving both the standard and top-up grants. This adjustment is part of government efforts to support low-income households amid rising living costs.

SASSA Child Support Grant Amount 2025

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;

  1. For Single Person:  R 63,600 per year income
  2. 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:

  1. Copies of the death certificates of both father and mother
  2. 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 Status Check

Use any of the following methods to check your children’s grant status:

  • Visit https://sassagrantcheck.co.za, enter your ID number and phone number, and click “Check Status.”
  • Visit the SASSA Services portal, log in to your account, and click “Track Application.”
  • Visit nearest branch and inquire about your grant status.

Child Support Grant Payment Dates for 2025-2026

Here is the payday schedule for under 18 sassa grant from April 2025 to March 2026:

  • April: 4/04/2025
  • May: 8/05/2025
  • June: 5/06/2025
  • July: 4/07/2025
  • August: 7/08/2025
  • September: 4/09/2025
  • October: 4/10/2025
  • November: 6/11/2025
  • December: 4/12/2025
  • January: 8/01/2026
  • February: 5/02/2026
  • March: 5/03/2026

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.

Sifiso Andreas

Editor at SGC

Sifiso Andreas

Hi! I’m Sifiso Andreas, with a background as a Grant Administrator at SASSA, I bring firsthand experience and deep knowledge of social welfare programs in South Africa. My goal is to help you navigate the complexities of social grants, scholarships, and government assistance with up-to-date resources and expert guidance. Join me for the latest updates and essential information on SASSA grants.

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8 Comments

  2. I didn’t know that I can loose the child support grant if I qualify for the SRD grant so can I please ask you to cancel it. It was an honest mistake. I’m desperately trying to feed my child and baby that’s on the way the 28 of June 2025

    Reply

  3. Hi there just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The words in your content seem to be running off the screen in Ie. I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with web browser compatibility but I figured I’d post to let you know. The design look great though! Hope you get the issue solved soon. Thanks

    Reply

  4. My child support grant stopped last year as he was 18 but when I apply for SRD for him it say the account already exist so I can’t apply for him. What could be the problem there?

    Reply

    1. It seems like case identity theft. Please report to sassa on official email or visit nearest office and report it.

      Reply

    1. It takes 60-90 days before sassa approves your grant after you have registered for it. They will verify all the information.

      Reply

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