SASSA Care Dependency Grant [2024] – A Step-by-Step Guide for Parents

The care dependency grant (also known as disability child grant) is financial assistance provided by SASSA to the parents, foster parents, or the primary caregiver of a child with severe physical or mental disabilities who requires special or full-time home care.

SASSA Care Dependency Grant

The grant is accessible for children with disabilities from the time of birth until they turn 18. The child’s disability must be assessed by a doctor appointed by SASSA, and they must be receiving full-time care in the home only, not in any state institution.

The Eligibility Criteria For Care Dependency Grant

The applicant is required to fulfill the following conditions in order to be eligible for the care dependency grant:

  • To become eligible for the grant, you should either be a South African citizen, a recognized refugee or have a permanent residency status.
  • You need to be a parent, a legally appointed primary caregiver, or a foster parent of a child below 18 years old.
  • The child should not be receiving long-term care in a state institution.
  • Residency in South Africa is necessary for both you and your child.
  • You are required to provide evidence that the child has a severe disability and is being cared for full-time at home.
  • You and your spouse (if married) should satisfy the means test requirements.
  • Your annual income should not surpass R249 600 (R20 800 per month). Being married, the collective annual income must not be higher than R499 200 (R41 600 per month). This condition does not apply to the foster parents.

What is Means Test for the SASSA Care Dependency Grant?

SASSA means test is the method used to evaluate the income of the care dependency grant applicants to ensure that only deserving individuals receive the grant. To qualify for the means test, your annual income should not cross R249 6000 if you are single. Being married, the collective annual income must not be higher than R499 200.

The means test condition is not applied to foster parents, as it is not necessary for them to qualify for the means test. The applicants for foster child grants can also apply for care dependency grants if their child is severely disabled.

Each grant type has different criteria for its means test to evaluate the applicant’s financial eligibility.

How much is the SASSA Care Dependency Grant Amount?

According to the latest increase on 1 April 2024, each eligible child will receive a monthly R2,180 under the care dependency grant. The grant amount will increase to R2,190 per child per month from 1 October 2024.

How much does that Care Dependency Grant Cost?

Applying for a SASSA care dependency grant is free of cost, and there is no service fee.

Procedure to Apply for the Care Dependency Grant

To apply for the care dependency grant, the child must be assessed first by a doctor assigned by SASSA. After the medical assessment is completed, you can apply for a SASSA care dependency grant in your nearest SASSA office branch by filling out their application form. If you want to apply online, read the instructions on applying online through the SASSA services website.

If you are too old, sick or have any disability issues, you may have a trusted family member or a friend to apply on your behalf. The person applying on your behalf should take a letter from you along with a doctor’s note explaining the reason why you cannot visit the SASSA office yourself.

The application forms are available at SASSA offices, and it needs to be completed in the presence of the SASSA officer. You can fill out the application yourself, but if you are unable to do so, the officer will assist you in completing the application form. The officer will also take your interview (or take the interview from your appointed person) and inform you if you are qualified for the grant.

After completing the application and interview, you will receive the dated stamp receipt with the SASSA officer name who assisted you in the application. Even if you are not qualified, you need to keep this receipt as proof of application.

Required Documents While Applying for Care Dependency Grant

You are required to bring the following documents (original or certified copies) with you to the SASSA office when applying for a care dependency grant:

  • Identity Documents:
  • Your original 13-digit bar-coded ID (Identity Document).
  • If you are a recognized refugee, you need to provide your status permit and refugee ID.
  • Birth certificate of the child with a valid ID number.
  • If you don’t have ID or child’s birth certificate:
  • You must fill out the SASSA standard affidavit form, and that form should be completed in front of an Oaths Commissioner who is not affiliated with SASSA. A SASSA official will provide you with the form, or you can download the SASSA affidavit from here.
  • You should have documentation from the Department of Home Affairs confirming that you have initiated an application for an ID and/or birth certificate.
  • A temporary identity document card provided by the Department of Home Affairs. (if applicable).
  • Baptismal certificate, if you have it.
  • A school certificate, if available
  • Road to Health Clinic (RTHC) Card, if you can provide it.
  • Proof of your marital status:
  • Marriage Certificate: if you are married.
  • Divorce Decree: In case of a dissolved marriage.
  • Death Certificate: if your spouse is deceased.
  • For married individuals, provide any documents that reveal both you and your spouse’s earnings. This condition is not applicable to foster parents.
  • Payslips if you have employed or bank statements for the last 3 months.
  • UIF card if you are receiving UIF benefits.
  • For individuals who were employed, provide a copy of leaving certificate from your prior employer or a membership proof of the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF).
  • Pension receipt if you are receiving a pension.
  • Proof of any financial support you received specifically for the child or if you have tried but are unable to get any financial support for the child from the biological parents.
  • Income proof of the child.
  • If you are not the child’s biological parent, you must provide the proof (any one of the following) that you are the primary caretaker of the child:
  • Affidavit from a police station.
  • Report from the social worker.
  • Written permission from the biological parent of a child indicating that you should take care of a child.
  • A letter from the child’s school principal that the child attends.
  • The court order that officially designates you as the child’s legal foster parent (only applicable to foster parents).
  • A medical assessment report confirms the child’s disability and that he is receiving permanent care or support in the home.

Processing Time for the Application of the SASSA Care Dependency Grant

The processing time for the care dependency grant application is up to 3 months. Upon the completion of your application processing and the subsequent approval of your grant,  you will receive all the payments from the date you submitted your application. In case your application is not accepted, SASSA will issue a letter to you that clarifies the reasons behind the decision and guides you on how to start the appeal process.

SASSA Care Dependency Grant Status Check

After the submission of your application, you can track the progress of your application through a status check to see if it is approved or declined or what is the current status of your application. Once your application is approved, you need to check the status of your upcoming grant payments and their dates regularly to keep yourself updated. The SASSA care dependency grant status check can be done through the following methods:

SASSA Website

Through SASSA Official Website by Clicking Here

SASSA Website

Through the Moya App Using Data Free Method

SASSA Website

Through SMS To SASSA Number 082-046-8553

SASSA Website

Through SASSA WhatsApp 082-046-8553

SASSA Website

Contacting on SASSA Toll-Free No. 0800-601011

What to do next if SASSA Care Dependency Grant Application is not Accepted?

If your grant application is rejected and you think the decision is incorrect, you have the option to ask SASSA to review your application once again. If the reconsideration request is also denied, but you still disagree with the decision of SASSA, you have the right to appeal the decision of SASSA to the Ministry of Social Development at the National Department of Social Development. You need to initiate the appeal process within 90 days of receiving the notification.

The Ministry of Social Development will review your appeal to make a decision. If they agree with you, they will overturn the SASSA’s decision, and you will start receiving your grant payments. If your appeal is denied, you will be provided with a written explanation of the decision.

Understanding the SASSA Care Dependency Grant Payment Process

Once your care dependency grant is approved, you will start receiving payments from the date you applied. SASSA releases the payment schedule every month as they don’t have any fixed dates. Check the upcoming payment dates from this link. 

SASSA will pay you the grant payments through the following three methods (You need to opt for one):

  • Direct deposit in your bank account or Postbank account. The banks may charge you for the service fee.
  • You can withdraw your grant payment in cash at SASSA-partnered retail outlets such as Pick n Pay, Shoprite, Boxer, Checkers, Usave, and Spar.
  • From some specific institutions (e.g., old age homes, disability centers, Non-profit organizations).

If you want to receive your grant payments through a bank account, you must fill out the Consent Form for Bank Payment of SASSA Grant and submit each of the following documents:

  • Proof of identity, such as an ID document, birth certificate or driving license.
  • Bank account number, the account should be in your own name.
  • 3 months bank statement, your name and account number must be shown on the statement.

You can change your banking details or payment method whenever you want, you just need to head to the welfare office and fill out the form. However, the payments will be received through the new payment method from the following month after the verification is completed.

If you cannot collect the grant yourself due to any reason, such as old age, disability, etc., you can nominate someone to collect payments on your behalf.

SASSA Care Dependency Grant Balance Check

The SASSA balance check service allows you to check the remaining balance of your grant. By checking your balance, you can stay updated with your funds to manage your finances and make informed decisions about your grant money. After your care dependency grant application is approved and you start receiving grant payments, you may need to check your balance regularly by following methods:

  • By dialing the USSD code *120*3210# or *120*69277# through your cellphone
  • At any ATM (normal bank charges may be applied)
  • Via SASSA WhatsApp number 082 046 8553
  • ­By calling the SASSA call center toll-free number 0800 601 011

SASSA Care Dependency Grant Reviews

SASSA reserves the right to conduct a review of your grant, and it is based on the income you declared during the application process. The reviews are conducted to ensure that you still meet the means test criteria of the grant and that your circumstances are not improved yet. It is also to verify if you are still alive. To make the review process easier, you should always keep your application up to date whenever your circumstances change.

SASSA will send you a written notice before the three months of review or the deadline to submit your life certificate (proof that you are still alive). The written notification will also provide details about the date and location of the review. 

For individuals who receive their grant through a bank, institution, or agent, you must annually submit the life certificate to the SASSA office. If you are bedridden, SASSA officials will visit your home to conduct the review. Once the review is completed, you will be given a compliance receipt including your application reference number.

The review process for refugee applicants will be initiated when their refugee status reaches its expiration.

Grant Suspension Reasons

The following reasons may lead to the grant suspension:

  • If your financial circumstances change (not applicable for foster parents).
  •  your child’s situation changes, either in terms of finances or health.
  • You provided false information or committed fraud.
  • You failed to cooperate when your grant was reviewed.
  • The outcome of the review.
  • If your child’s grant was approved by mistake.

Restoration of the Grant

If you believe that your grant was suspended in error or if you have a disagreement with SASSA’s decision, you have the option to submit an appeal to the Ministry of Social Development at the National Department of Social Development within 90 days of the suspension.

Reasons for Lapsing of the Care Dependency Grant:

Your care dependency grant will lapse if one of the following conditions occurs:

  • In the unfortunate event of the child’s passing, the grant will conclude on the last day of the month in which they passed away.
  • The grant will terminate at the start of seventh month after the child is admitted to a state institution.
  • The beneficiary or primary caregiver of the child did not collect the grant payments for three consecutive months.
  • When the child is not present in the country.
  • On the last day of the month when the child reaches the age of 18, the child may be qualified for the disability grant after 18.

Responsibilities of the Beneficiaries

Being a SASSA grant holder, you also need to fulfill some responsibilities:

  • In order to ensure accuracy, keep SASSA updated about any changes in your personal and financial circumstances. Also, keep them updated about your child’s status.
  • Timely communication with SASSA regarding modifications to your address or personal contact details is essential.
  • Always provide the correct information because SASSA does not tolerate any fraudulent activity.

You must keep the SASSA updated in the above scenarios to avoid any interruption or suspension in your grants, as SASSA sends notices and updates to the address you submitted in the application. If your address or contact information is updated and you did not inform the SASSA, it may cause the suspension of your grants, as SASSA will not be able to contact you.

Contact SASSA

Should you have additional questions, feel free to reach out to SASSA through the following channels: