Foster Child Grant

SASSA provides financial help to foster parents to support the care of foster children. These children are placed in foster care because of situations like being orphaned, abandoned, or mistreated. Foster parents need to take care of the child’s basic needs, such as food, clothing, and a place to live. They also need to provide medical care, education, and other necessary support.

This type of SASSA garant is usually given until the child turns 18. If the child is still in high school or secondary school, the grant can continue until they turn 21. The grant will stop if the child finishes school or starts earning more than the allowed limit.

How Can I Apply for the SASSA Foster Child grant?

To apply for the foster child grant, follow the following procedure 

• Visit the nearest South African Social Security Agency SASSA office near you.
• 13-digit barcoded South African ID
• Childbirth certificate 
• Take your refuge ID and status permit (if you are a refugee )

If you don’t have ID and or child birth certificate

• Complete the affidavit in front of the commissioner of Oaths 
• Bring a sworn statement from someone trusted in your community who knows you and your child 
• SASSA will take care of your fingerprints 
• They will refer to the Department of Home Affairs that you apply for your ID 

If you don’t apply for your ID, your grant may be suspended

• Proof applied for an ID or birth certificate 
• Temporary ID home affairs  if you have any 
• Child baptismal certificate 
• Child Road to Health Clinic road 
• School certificate or school report 
• Birth certificate or identification documents of the child 
• Prove of court order as you are officially the foster parent of a child 
• Proof of marital status 

Complete the application form at the nearby SASSA office . It is important that only you, as an applicant or Sassa official, are  allowed to fill out the form.  Once you have applied, you will get the recipients for child support grant. Please keep it safe for record purpose.

What does the Foster Child Grant mean?

The foster child grant is a monthly payment provided by SASSA to help foster parents take care of foster children.  This money helps to provide children with daily basic needs. to get the grant, the child must be officially placed with you, but the children’s court child may be 

• Orphaned
• Abandoned 
• At risk 
• Abused 
• Or neglected 

As a result, foster parents will be responsible for the child’s food, education, health and other basic needs of the child.

What are the Eligibility Criteria for the SASSA Foster grant?

To apply for the grant, you must qualify for the certain criteria set by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) 

• You are a South African citizen, Permanent resident or refugee 
• You and your child must live in South Africa 
• The child must be legally placed by the court in your care 
• The child must be under 18 years old 
• The child must pass the mean test 

The fund is specially designed for children such as orphans or those who have been abused or neglected by their biological parents. 

Does SASSA Conduct Any Review After Grant Approval?

A foster child grant may be reviewed when the court order expires. It usually happens after every two years. When it’s time for the review, Sassa will send a letter three months in advance before the review. 

You will also need to go to the SASSA office once a year to fill out the life certificate. This certificate proves that you are still alive and should continue receiving your grant. 

What Factors Can Cause the Suspension of Your Foster Child Grant?

The following factor may cause the suspension of your grant 

• A change in your circumstance 
• The outcome of the review conducted by SASSA
• Fail to cooperate with the SASSA officials 
• Give false information or commit any fraud 
• If there was any mistake when your grant was approved 

When Will Your Foster Child Grant Lapse or be Stopped?

Your grant may lapse due to certain reasons 

• If a child or foster parents die
• The child may be taken care of by the government institution 
• Grant is not collected for three consecutive numbers 
• Not available in the country 
• The child is no longer in your foster care 
• If you are not a refugee anymore 

What Are the Available Methods to Receive the Foster Child Grant?

You can use the following method to get the grant payment 

• Receive your grant on a scheduled date at the specific pay point 
• You can choose to get your grant in your bank account (it may apply service fee )
• Institutions not funded by the government can also receive your grant 

If you can’t collect your grant yourself, you can give someone permission to collect it for you. You can either assign a protector at the SASSA office or give a power of attorney to a trusted person to collect the money on your behalf.

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