SASSA Grants Guide 2026
The SASSA Care Dependency Grant is R2,400 per month from April 2026. It is for parents or caregivers of children with severe disabilities or chronic illnesses who require full-time care. At R2,400, it is the highest grant available for caregivers of children — significantly more than the Child Support Grant (R580).
| Detail | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly amount | R2,400 (from April 2026) |
| Previous amount | R2,320 |
| Increase | +R80 |
| First payment at R2,400 | 8 April 2026 |
Both the caregiver and the child must meet specific requirements.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Age | Under 18 years |
| Condition | Severe disability or chronic illness requiring full-time care |
| Medical assessment | Must be assessed by a SASSA-designated medical officer |
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Nationality | South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee |
| Relationship | Parent, guardian, or primary caregiver of the child |
| Income | Must meet SASSA means test thresholds |
SASSA assesses each child individually — there is no fixed list of qualifying conditions. Common qualifying conditions include:
The key criterion is that the child’s condition requires full-time care — not just regular medical treatment or support.
| Care Dependency Grant | Child Support Grant | |
|---|---|---|
| Amount | R2,400/month | R580/month |
| Child requirement | Severe disability, full-time care needed | Any child under 18 |
| Medical assessment | Required | Not required |
| Means test | Yes (caregiver income) | Yes (caregiver income) |
| Same child | Cannot receive both | Cannot receive both |
For the same child, you receive one grant or the other — not both. If your child has a severe disability requiring full-time care, the Care Dependency Grant (R2,400) is the appropriate grant, not the Child Support Grant.
Documents to bring:
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Your SA ID document | Green barcoded book or Smart ID card |
| Child’s birth certificate | Unabridged preferred |
| Medical report | From child’s doctor or hospital describing the condition |
| Proof of income | Payslips, pension, or affidavit |
| Proof of address | Utility bill or lease agreement |
Steps:
The Care Dependency Grant stops when the child turns 18. If the young adult continues to need significant care due to their disability, the caregiver or the young adult themselves may apply for the Disability Grant in their own name — which also pays R2,400/month.
R2,400 per month from April 2026. This is the same amount as the Older Persons and Disability Grants, and significantly more than the Child Support Grant (R580).
Any severe disability or chronic illness that requires full-time care. This includes cerebral palsy, severe autism, Down syndrome, severe intellectual disability, and serious chronic illnesses. SASSA’s designated medical officer assesses the child’s condition individually.
No. You can only receive one grant per child. If your child has a severe disability requiring full-time care, apply for the Care Dependency Grant (R2,400) — not the Child Support Grant (R580). These grants are mutually exclusive for the same child.
Yes. The grant stops when the child turns 18. At that point, you can apply for the Disability Grant in the young adult’s own name if they still cannot support themselves due to their disability.
Yes. The caregiver’s income must meet SASSA’s means test thresholds. The exact income limit is aligned with standard SASSA grant means test criteria. See the SASSA means test guide for details.
Ready to check your SASSA status?
Use the official SASSA portal — free and updated monthly.
