SASSA Foster Child Grant: Find out what you are owed
· The South African
If you are raising a child under a court-approved foster care arrangement, SASSA is putting R1 290 into your pocket every month per child, a figure that increased by R40 in April and will rise again to R1 300 in October. Yet thousands of qualifying foster parents across South Africa are still not claiming the Foster Child Grant. Here is a full breakdown of who qualifies, what to bring, and how to make sure the money lands in your account every month.
The SASSA Foster Child Grant exists to ensure that children placed in foster care receive the financial support they need, regardless of their foster parent’s income. Here is a complete breakdown of who qualifies, what documents to gather, and what foster parents need to know before they apply.
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Who can apply for the Foster Child Grant?
SASSA sets out clear criteria for who qualifies. To be eligible, the applicant must:
- Be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or recognised refugee residing in South Africa
- Reside in South Africa together with the foster child
- Ensure the foster child remains in their care and is not placed in a state-funded institution
- Hold a valid court order confirming the foster care placement
One of the most important things to note is that the Foster Child Grant is not means-tested – meaning SASSA does not consider the foster parent’s income when assessing eligibility. This sets it apart from several other social grants and means that working foster parents are not automatically disqualified from receiving support.
How many children can a foster parent claim for?
Foster parents can generally claim the grant for up to six foster children. However, SASSA makes an exception where the children are siblings or blood relations, or where the court determines that extending the grant beyond six children serves the best interests of all the children involved, as contemplated in Section 185(1) of the Children’s Act.
Can the grant extend beyond childhood?
Yes, and this is something many foster parents do not know. SASSA can extend the Foster Child Grant to age 21, provided the young person is still attending school or a tertiary institution and the foster parent submits the necessary supporting documentation to confirm enrolment. This means foster parents supporting a child through university do not necessarily lose their grant the moment that child turns 18.
Additionally, a foster child who is care-dependent may qualify for both the Foster Child Grant and the Care Dependency Grant simultaneously, providing a higher combined level of support for children with greater needs.
What documents do you need to apply?
Gathering the right paperwork before heading to a SASSA office saves time and prevents unnecessary delays. The required documents for a Foster Child Grant application include:
- Certified copy of a valid 13-digit barcoded ID for the applicant and their spouse, if married. If unavailable, SASSA will accept alternative identification
- Certified copy of a valid Section 24 refugee permit, where applicable
- Certified copy of the foster child’s 13-digit birth certificate
- Proof of marital status – this could be a marriage certificate, death certificate of a spouse, divorce decree, or an affidavit in the case of desertion
- Bank account confirmation letter or three months’ bank statements for the account into which the grant should be paid
- Valid court order confirming foster care placement
- Proof of school attendance for children between 7 and 18 years old – though SASSA notes that failure to provide this will not automatically result in the refusal of the grant
- Proof of school or tertiary attendance for foster children over 18 who are still studying
SASSA notes that additional documents or information may be requested during the one-on-one screening process, so applicants should be prepared to provide further supporting material if asked.
Foster parents who believe they may qualify are encouraged to visit their nearest SASSA office or contact the agency through its official channels to begin the application process. With the grant not being means tested, far more South Africans may be eligible than they realise.