SASSA Child Support Grant – Eligibility, Application Process & More!

The Sassa Child Support Grant provides financial support to the primary caregiver of a child under the age of 18. The child’s parents, grandparents, or any other head of the household may serve as the primary caregiver, but he or she must be older than 16 years old.

The main goal of the child support social grant is to provide unlimited financial aid to families who are poor and eligible for this grant. The grant’s objective is to help families bridge the gap between their incomes and the cost of living; it is not meant to replace other sources of income. 

SASSA Child Support Grant 2024

The primary caregiver is only eligible to receive assistance for six children who are not legally or biologically related to them, under SASSA rules.

SASSA Child Support Grant Increases – April 2024 Update

The Child Support Grant has been increased by R20, from R510 to R530. This modification will take effect on April 1st, 2024. The R250 top-up amount for a child doesn’t change. As a result, the child support grant applicants will now receive a total monthly grant amount of R780 plus the top-up amount.

The government of South Africa has increased its social grants payment for all the SASSA grants and if you want to know the increased amount of other payments then visit SASSA Social Grant Increase April 2024.

SASSA Child Support Grant Eligibility Criteria

Before applying for a Sassa grant, all applicants must confirm that they fit the eligibility requirements, which are listed below.

Eligibilty criteria for Sassa child support grant 2024
  • The primary caregiver must be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee.
  • Both the applicant and the child must reside in South Africa.
  • The applicant must be the primary caregiver of the child/ children concerned.
  • The child/children must be under the age of 18 years
  • The applicant and spouse must meet the requirements of the means test.
  • An applicant can not apply for more than six non-biological children.
  • The child can not be cared for in a state institution.
  • You must have a 13-digit bar-coded ID (identity document) or smart ID card. (Application can still be made in the absence of these documents)

Reasons why you can not get a Child Support Grant 

After reviewing all of the eligibility conditions for the grant, you also need to be aware of the reasons why you are not eligible for an SASSA grant. 

  • someone who receives payment to watch the child,
  • The applicant is not the kid’s primary caregiver, 
  • the child is already receiving funding from someone else,

The stipend is only available to those whose financial position falls below a predetermined threshold. 

What is the Means Test for the SASSA Child Support Grant?

One of the most important tools available to a Sassa application for a Child Support Grant (CSG) is the Means test, which measures the caregiver’s eligibility and confirms their right to financial assistance from the SASSA social agency Grant payments.

Starting on April 1, 2023, an individual’s yearly income must not be greater than R60,000 to satisfy the means test requirements. If you are married, your combined annual income cannot exceed R120,000.

Just like this, every Other Sassa Social grant has its eligibility criteria for the mean test that must be checked before applying for SASSA Reapplication Srd R 350 or any other grant.

How much does that Child Support Grant Cost?

If you are concerned about the money invested in the SASSA Child Grant then remember that there is no cost associated with applying for SASSA child support grants, and there is no service charge.

What is the amount for the Child Support Grant in 2024?

The amount changes every year, but the child support grant is currently R500 per month per child. 

Receive payment for the SASSA Child Support Grant

According to the most recent data, the grant was raised from R500 to R510. The government’s response to the economic environment, which aims to provide the recipients with more meaningful support, is reflected in this R10 increase.

The new amount for SASSA Child Support Payment is R 530 which will given to the Beneficiaries from 1st April 2024.

How to Apply for the Child Support Grant?

You can easily apply for the SASSA Child Support grant by visiting your nearest SASSA Center or if you want to apply for it Online then you can visit the SASSA Service portal from your browser and follow the steps provided there to apply through the Internet.

Note: For those who cannot visit the SASSA Office by themselves,

If you are too elderly, too unwell, or have any kind of impairment, you can have a friend or trusted family member apply on your behalf. A letter from you and a note from your doctor justifying your inability to visit the SASSA office personally should be provided to the person applying on your behalf.

Procedure to fill out the application form at the SASSA Office

Complete application form for Child support grant at SASSA office
  • The application forms must be filled out in front of the SASSA official and are available at SASSA offices.
  • You may complete the application on your own. (The officer will assist you in filling out the application form if you are having trouble doing so on your own.)
  • They will also record your interview (or that of the person you have designated). 
  • Once the interview is over, you will be notified if you are eligible for the grant.

You will also receive a dated stamp receipt with the name of the Sassa officer who helped you with the application after finishing the application and interview. Keep this receipt as proof of application even if you are not qualified as this also contains the SASSA reference number in it.  

However, if you have lost your SASSA reference number then you can easily recover it by following the steps given in the above link.

Required Documents to Apply for Child Support Grant

Here is the list of the most important documents that must be with you when visiting the Sassa office to apply for a Child Support Grant:

  • Your child’s birth certificate (which needs to contain an ID number) and your original 13-digit bar-coded ID (identification document). If neither your child’s birth certificate nor an ID are with you:
  • It is necessary that you complete the affidavit form found on the SASSA standard affidavit template, and that you do it in front of an independent Oaths Commissioner. 
  • Please provide the following paperwork:
  • A verified declaration attested by a reliable individual (such as a school principal, licensed social worker, community counselor, traditional leader, or acknowledged religious leader) is required to be brought.
  • It should be confirmed in writing by the Department of Home Affairs that you have applied for a birth certificate or identification.
  • a Department of Home Affairs-provided temporary identity document card. (If relevant).
  • certificate of baptism, if you possess one.
  • a diploma from a school, if one is obtainable.
  • If you can supply Road to Health Clinic (RTHC), do so.
  • Your marriage license, if you have one
  • the court decision giving you (if you are divorced and the child is yours) custody of the child
  • If one or both of your parents are missing or deceased, you will need to present the missing person(s) police station report or the deceased parent(s)’ death certificate.
  • If you are not the child’s biological parent, you must show that you are the child’s primary caregiver by presenting one of the following documents:
  • the sworn declaration that was collected from a police station.
  • letter from the principal of the child’s school.
  • A child’s biological parent’s written consent designates you as the child’s caregiver.
  • The social worker’s report.
  • Evidence of all income, 
  • such as bank statements from the previous three months or pay slips if you have a job.
  • whether you are eligible for UIF benefits, or your UIF card.
  • If you were employed, you must submit a copy of your previous employer’s termination letter or proof of your Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) membership.
  • pension receipt if you receive one.
  • Evidence of any financial assistance you were given expressly for the child, or a statement indicating you attempted to obtain financial support from the child’s biological parents but were unsuccessful.

It should be mentioned that ensuring a child attends school frequently and completes their education is one of the key objectives of a child support award. Despite this, the child support grant will not be denied because the child is not enrolled in school.

Processing Time for the Application of Child Support Grant

It takes 90 days which is three months to process the SASSA Child Support grant then after reviewing your application they send you the message of approval so that from the month when your SASSA child application is approved you will receive your grant payment by your SASSA New Card from the date you submit your application.

If your application is denied, SASSA will send you a letter explaining why the grant isn’t approved. After that, you can apply for the Sassa reconsideration form to review your application so that this time they can go through your eligibility criteria and approve your registration for the SASSA beneficiary.

SASSA Child Support Grant Status Check

To stay informed about your SASSA Grant Payment, you must check the status of your child support grant application frequently after submitting your Sassa application. 

SASSA Child support grant status check 2024

The greatest advantage is that it’s simple to track down by using a status check to find out whether your application was accepted or rejected and what its current status is. Once your Child grant is approved by Sassa then you can also view the current status of your Child grant payment through the SASSA Status check. ASSA child support grant status check can be done through the following methods:

Through the Moya APP Using the Data Free Method

Through the SASSA Official Website by Clicking Here

Through SMS To SASSA Number 082-046-8553

Through SASSA WhatsApp 082-046-8553

Contacting on SASSA Toll-Free No. 0800-601011

What should you do if your SASSA Child Support Grant application is denied?

If your SASSA Child Support Grant application is declined then you have the opportunity to apply for an SASSA reconsideration application, but if in case your SASSA reconsideration request is also denied then you have the choice to appeal the decision of SASSA to the Ministry of Social Development at the National Department of Social Development.

Important note: Within 90 days of the application’s submission, the appeal must be submitted.

To reach a decision, the Ministry of Social Development will examine your appeal. If they find it in your favor, they will reverse the SASSA’s decision and you will begin to get your grant money. You will receive a written explanation of the decision if your appeal is rejected.

Understanding the SASSA Child Support Grant Payment Process

Once your SASSA child grant application is approved you will start receiving your SASSA payment from the date you applied, the date of your Payments is not fixed, however every month SASSA announces the new SASSA Payments dates.

Don’t be concerned if you’re wondering how Sassa will deliver your grant payments; I’ve covered the three crucial ways that SASSA Beneficiaries get their grant payments each month. (You can opt for any One)

Get Your Money through the Bank:

Straight deposit into your Postbank or bank account. You might be required to pay a service fee to the banks. 

Through SASSA-Partner retail outlets:

Cash withdrawals of your grant payment are available at retail locations linked with SASSA, including Pick n Pay, Shoprite, Boxer, Checkers, Usave, and Spar. 

Through other Institutions:

From some specific institutions (e.g., old age homes, disability centers, Non-profit organizations).

Now those people who want to receive their SASSA Payment through a Bank account, first they need to you will need to complete the Consent Form for Bank Payment of SASSA Grant and submit each of the following documents:

  • Identification documentation, such as a driver’s license, birth certificate, or identification document
  • Number of bank accounts; the account must be in your name
  • Your name and account number should be displayed on the three-month bank statement.

If in case you can not go by yourself to collect your SASSA Payment then you have an option to send someone else on your behalf to receive your SASSA child support grant Payment.

By completing a form at the welfare office, you can change your banking details or mode of payment at any time. However from the following month, once the verification is finished, the payments will be accepted using the new payment process.

SASSA Child Support Grant Balance Check

If you want to do your SASSA Balance check for your remaining Sassa grant payment then you will learn here a fast and easy way. Through the SASSA Balance check you can learn the amount of cash you have in your Sassa account and you can also be updated about your funds. Following the approval of your child’s grant application and the release of grant payments, you might have to check your balance regularly by using the 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 Child Support Grant Reviews

The South African Social Security Agency reserves the right to examine the grant that you received, this is usually related to the statement of the income you have submitted to the SASAS during the time of submitting your application. Sassa review your status for the child support grant to confirm that you are still meeting the eligibility criteria for receiving financial aid and to also check if the child is still alive. 

Therefore you have to keep your SASSA application updated so that it can make your review process easier and ensure a smooth delivery of your SASSA Payment. Before the three-month review period or the deadline to submit your life certificate (documentation that you are still alive), SASSA will provide you written notice. The review’s date and place will also be specified in the written notification.

People who receive SASSA payments through banks or institutions, If you get your grant through a bank, organization, or agency, you have to bring your child’s life certificate to the SASSA office every year. SASSA representatives will come to your home to review if you are bedridden. After your evaluation is complete, you will receive a compliance receipt.

Following the expiration of the applicant’s refugee status, the review procedure for applicants will begin.

Grant Suspension Reasons

Your Sassa grant may be suspended due to the following reasons:

  • If your situation changes.
  • You committed fraud or gave incorrect information.
  • You were uncooperative when the grant was being reviewed.
  • The review’s outcome.
  • if the grant was inadvertently approved. 

Restoration of the Grant

In case of your SASSA grant Suspension is unjustified and you believe that it is suspended in error then you have the choice to 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 Child Support Grant

The SASSA Grant will cease its Payment for the Child’s Monthly Support if;

  • The child would die
  • The child would leave the country 
  • At the end of the month, the kid will turn 18.
  • For three consecutive months, the caregiver failed to file a claim.
  • Or the child would admitted to any state institution.
  • if your assets or income increased to the point where the means test disqualifies you from receiving the grant. 

If you are admitted to the state station for more than four months, your grant amount will be lowered to 25% of your total. As soon as you are discharged, your grant will be reinitiated to the maximum amount.

Responsibilities of the Beneficiaries

As the recipient of a SASSA Child Support Grant, you also have specific responsibilities to fulfill:

Honesty and Integrity in Application: Recipients of social grants are required to submit honest and truthful applications regarding their circumstances. Applications that are fraudulent or misleading may incur fines or forfeit benefits.

Reporting Changes in Circumstances: Recipients must notify SASSA of any changes to their circumstances as soon as possible, as this could impact their eligibility for the social grant. 

Compliance with SASSA Regulations: For social grants to be administered and distributed, recipients must abide by all guidelines established by SASSA. This could involve other procedural rules, documentation requirements, and application renewal deadlines.

South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) Help Center:

If in case of any query or problem arise then you do not have to worry about it as SASSA provides one of the best social service platforms for their people so that they can get authentic guidance from the Sassa Management Staff. You can get information related to the dates of payment, all government grants must meet certain criteria, addresses and phone numbers for district offices, help with your application, and any incidents of fraud or corruption must be reported.

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

  • Connect with the SASSA Toll-Free Call Centre at 0800 60 10 11
  • Contact the SASSA Head Office: 012 400 2322
  • Email your queries to the SASSA Head Office: [email protected]
  • Explore a list of SASSA offices across the country: SASSA Office near you.