SASSA Care Dependency Grant – How Apply & Accept Grant

Feeling stressed with your child’s daily needs or medical bills, caring for a child with a serious disability is not easy, both emotionally or financially. Good news, the South African government offers the SASSA care dependency grant, which helps families to take care of their child with ease. You’re not alone. SASSA care dependency grant is here for you. Even you can check your SRD Status without any worries.

How Can I Apply For The SASSA Care Dependency Grant?

Applying for a care dependency grant is simple and easy. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you apply:

• Visit the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) office nearest to you
• Bring 13-digit barcode identity number (ID)
• Birth certificate of your child

If you don’t have an ID or birth certificate, follow the following procedure:

• Fill out the special SASSA affidavit form in front of a commissioner of oath (not a SASSA worker)
• Bring a statement signed by someone trusted, like a counselor, minister, or school principal who confirms your name or age
• SASSA official will take your fingerprints
• They will send you to the Department of Home Affairs to apply for an ID
• Your grant may be stopped if you don’t get your ID in time
• If a baptismal certificate is available, bring it as well
• Road to health clinic card, if available
• School report, if available
• Medical report which confirms your child’s disability
• Proof of your marital status
• Proof of your income (salary slip, bank statement or pension slip) – not applicable for refugee foster parents

If you are not the child’s parent:

• Bring proof you are the child’s primary caregiver
• Affidavit from the police officer
• Social worker report
• Affidavit from the child’s biological parents
• A letter from the school principal from the child’s educational institutions
• Proof from the biological parents that the child has tried to get the other parent to pay maintenance
• Proof of unemployment insurance fund (UIF)
• Or a discharge certificate from your last job
• A refugee foster parent must bring a refugee ID and refugee status permission
• If you are a foster parent, bring the court custody order of the child

SASSA will refer a doctor from the state to examine your child. Complete all your application forms in the presence of a SASSA officer. But it is important to remember that only you, as an applicant or a SASSA official, can complete the application.

After applying, SASSA will give you a receipt. Keep it as proof that you applied for the grant. The application form is not available online; you can get the form at the nearest SASSA office.

What Is The SASSA Care Dependency Grant?

This type of grant is a monthly aid provided by the government. This grant supports children from birth to 18 years old who need full-time and special care due to their disabilities. This grant helps children to cover costs like medication, therapy, transport, hospital or other special equipment or basic needs.

You can apply for the grant if you are the child parent, foster parent or legal guardian. You are legally responsible for the child care. But it is important that child must be under 18, living in South Africa, having severe disability certified by a doctor.

What Are The Eligibility Criteria For The SASSA Care Dependency Grant?

Wondering if you qualify for the SASSA Care Dependency Grant? Here are the simple rules the caregiver must meet eligibility criteria for the fund:

For The Caregiver:

• Must be a South African citizen
• Live in South Africa while applying
• Must be a parent, foster parent or guardian appointed by the court
• Qualify in terms of mean test
• Submit a medical report confirming your child’s disability
• If you are single, your income must be less than R223,200 per year
• If you are married, your combined income must not exceed R446 400 per year
• The income limit does not apply to foster parents
• Applicants cannot apply for more than six non-biological children

For The Child:

• Age must be under 18 years old
• Must live in South Africa while applying for the grant
• Have serious disability
• Not cared for full-time in any government institution
• Declared permanently disabled by a state-approved doctor

A child with a severe disability does not qualify for the care dependency grant if your child is not being looked after full-time for more than 6 months by an institution funded by the government, like a psychiatric hospital or special care center.

What Are The Reasons Behind The Grant Lapse Or Stopped?

Your grant may stop for a few specific reasons:

• If a child dies
• Children turn 18
• The child is admitted to a government institution
• The child is not living in South Africa
• Caregivers did not collect the money for three consecutive months

What Factors Caused The Grant Suspension?

Your SASSA grant will be suspended if the following factors occur:

• The child’s situation changes
• The outcome of the review conducted by SASSA
• Failure to cooperate with the SASSA officer during the review
• Providing false or misleading information
• If there was a mistake when the child’s grant was approved initially

How Will You Want To Receive The Payment For Your Grant?

SASSA uses the following methods to pay the grant:

• Get your grant on a certain day at a specific pay point
• Electronic payment deposited into your bank account (the bank may charge a fee for this service)
• An institution that is not funded by the government, like special care for people with disabilities, may receive a grant

Note: If you are ill or can’t travel and are worried about how to collect your payment, don’t worry. You can appoint a procurator at the SASSA office or give a power of attorney to someone trusted to collect the money on your behalf.

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