SASSA Grants Guide 2026
The SASSA Child Support Grant pays R580 per child per month from April 2026. It goes to the primary caregiver of qualifying children under 18 — not directly to the child. Over 13 million South African children benefit from this grant, making it the largest social assistance programme in the country.
You can receive the grant for multiple children. A grandmother caring for three grandchildren receives R580 × 3 = R1,740 per month. This guide covers exactly who qualifies (both the caregiver and the child), what documents you need, how to apply, and what happens when a child turns 18.
| Detail | Amount |
|---|---|
| Amount per child | R580 per month |
| Previous amount (before April 2026) | R560 per month |
| Increase | +R20 per child |
| First payment at new amount | 8 April 2026 |
| Paid to | Primary caregiver — not the child |
| No. of children capped | No official limit — each qualifying child is counted |
Example of multiple children:
| Children in Care | Monthly Total |
|---|---|
| 1 child | R580 |
| 2 children | R1,160 |
| 3 children | R1,740 |
| 4 children | R2,320 |
| 5 children | R2,900 |
Each child must individually meet the eligibility criteria. You cannot claim for a child who is receiving a Foster Child Grant or who lives elsewhere.
Both the child and the caregiver must meet separate requirements.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Age | Under 18 years at the time of application |
| Nationality | South African citizen, permanent resident, or recognised refugee |
| Residency | Must live with the caregiver claiming the grant |
| Other grants | Cannot simultaneously receive a Foster Child Grant |
| School attendance | Children aged 7–18 are expected to be enrolled in school (not strictly enforced for initial applications, but can be queried at renewal) |
The grant stops automatically in the month the child turns 18. SASSA links to Home Affairs birth records and terminates payments without the caregiver needing to do anything.
You do not need to be the biological parent. Any adult who is the child’s primary caregiver can apply.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Relationship | Primary caregiver — the person primarily responsible for the child’s day-to-day care |
| Nationality | South African citizen, permanent resident, or recognised refugee |
| Residency | Living in South Africa |
| Income (single caregiver) | Below R4,800/month (R57,600/year) |
| Income (married caregiver) | Below R9,600/month (R115,200/year combined) |
| Other qualifying adults | Only one caregiver can claim per child |
The definition of “primary caregiver” is the person who provides day-to-day care, food, shelter, and support for the child. Being a biological parent does not automatically make you the primary caregiver if the child lives elsewhere.
These are two separate grants for very different legal situations. You cannot receive both for the same child.
| Child Support Grant | Foster Child Grant | |
|---|---|---|
| Amount | R580/child | R1,290/child |
| Who it’s for | Primary caregivers of children in their general care | Registered foster parents with a court order |
| Legal requirement | No court order needed | Court-issued Foster Care Order required |
| Application | SASSA office | SASSA office (with court order) |
| Can be combined? | Not for the same child | Not for the same child |
If you are a foster parent with a formal Foster Care Order, apply for the Foster Child Grant — it pays significantly more (R1,290 vs R580). If you are an informal caregiver (e.g., a grandmother taking in grandchildren), the Child Support Grant is your option.
The Child Support Grant cannot be applied for online. You must visit a SASSA office.
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Your SA ID document | Green barcoded ID book or Smart ID card |
| Child’s birth certificate | Unabridged (full) certificate preferred; standard certificate accepted |
| Proof of income | Payslips if employed; sworn affidavit if unemployed or informal income |
| Proof of address | Utility bill, lease agreement, or bank statement dated within 3 months |
| School enrolment proof | Report card or school letter for children aged 7+ (optional but helpful) |
| Marriage certificate | If married — for the joint means test calculation |
| Proof of primary caregiver status | If not a biological parent — e.g., court order, written consent from parents, or death certificate of parents |
SASSA requires evidence that you are the primary caregiver if you are not the biological parent. Bring one of the following:
Without this evidence, SASSA may not be able to process the application even if you are genuinely caring for the child.
You can apply for multiple children in a single visit. You must bring each child’s birth certificate and any relevant documents for each child individually. SASSA staff will process each child on the same application form or as separate applications depending on office procedure.
There is no penalty or limit for claiming on behalf of multiple children — as long as each child individually meets the eligibility criteria and lives with you as their primary caregiver.
The income test assesses your income as the caregiver — not the child’s.
What is included in income:
What is not included:
If you are unemployed and have no income, submit a sworn affidavit at a police station confirming this. The affidavit is free and replaces the proof of income document.
The Child Support Grant is paid third in SASSA’s monthly cycle — after the Older Persons and Disability Grants.
| Month | Payment Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | 8 April | Wednesday |
| May 2026 | 7 May | Wednesday |
| June 2026 | 5 June | Friday |
| July 2026 | 7 July | Tuesday |
| August 2026 | 6 August | Thursday |
| September 2026 | 4 September | Friday |
Important: When the 3rd day of the month falls on a weekend, SASSA shifts the payment to the next working Monday. This is why some months the Child Support Grant pays later than others. Full schedule: SASSA payment dates 2026/27
| Method | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Bank deposit | Paid directly into your bank account on payment day |
| Postbank / SASSA card | Withdraw at ATMs or SASSA-linked retailers |
| Retail cash payout | Collect at Shoprite, Checkers, Pick n Pay, Boxer, Usave |
| Post Office | Collect in person at participating Post Offices |
Postbank card swap reminder: The old gold SASSA card must be replaced with the new black Postbank Mastercard before 31 August 2026. Visit any Postbank branch with your SA ID — the swap is free.
The Child Support Grant stops automatically in the month the child turns 18. SASSA links directly to Department of Home Affairs birth records — you do not need to notify SASSA or do anything.
If the child (now 18–59) is unemployed and earns less than R624/month, they can apply independently for the SRD R370 grant in their own name. This is a separate application at srd.sassa.gov.za — the Child Support Grant history does not affect their SRD application.
You are legally required to notify SASSA if:
Failure to report changes and continuing to receive a grant you are no longer entitled to constitutes fraud and can result in full repayment demands plus possible criminal charges.
To report changes: visit your nearest SASSA office or call the helpline on 0800 60 10 11.
Common reasons for Child Support Grant declines:
How to appeal: Lodge an appeal within 90 days of the decline decision at your SASSA office or at sassa.gov.za. Include any additional supporting documents (e.g., updated income affidavit, school enrolment proof, caregiver confirmation letter). SASSA must respond within 60–90 days.
Yes. If you are aged 60+ and are also the primary caregiver of qualifying children under 18, you can receive both grants. The Old Age Grant is for you as an individual; the Child Support Grant is for the children in your care.
Yes. If you have a disability and are also the primary caregiver of a qualifying child, you can receive both grants simultaneously. Each grant serves a distinct purpose.
No. If you are already receiving another SASSA grant (including the Child Support Grant), you are ineligible for the SRD R370. The SRD is specifically for people with no other form of government income support.
Yes. You can receive R580 per month for every qualifying child in your primary care. There is no official cap on the number of children. Each child must individually meet the under-18 and residency criteria.
The caregiver’s income must be below R4,800/month if single, or R9,600/month combined if married. This is your income as the caregiver — the child’s income is not counted.
Yes. Grandmothers are among the most common applicants. Any adult who is the primary caregiver qualifies — biological relationship is not required. Bring the grandchild’s birth certificate and, if the parents are absent, a death certificate or a written consent from the parents.
Yes — if the biological father is the primary caregiver living with the child. The grant follows the primary caregiver, not the mother by default. If custody has changed, the new primary caregiver should update SASSA.
It is paid to the primary caregiver, not the child. If you are the caregiver, the R580 comes to you for each qualifying child.
No. The application must be done in person at a SASSA office. Bring your ID, the child’s birth certificate, and proof of income.
Typically 3–4 weeks after submission with complete documents. If documentation is incomplete, processing will be delayed until all required items are provided.
The Child Support Grant is separate from court-ordered maintenance. You can receive the CSG regardless of whether the child’s other parent pays maintenance. If you are owed maintenance, that is a separate matter — contact the Department of Justice’s Maintenance Court.
No. The Child Support Grant you receive for the children in your care is not counted as your income when SASSA assesses your eligibility for the grant or any other grants.
Written by
Busi specialises in South African social grant systems and SASSA policy. Every guide on this site is independently researched, verified against official SASSA sources, and updated whenever SASSA releases new dates, amounts, or policy changes.
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