SASSA Care Dependency Grant (CDG)

The Care Dependency Grant provides essential financial support to parents, foster parents, or primary caregivers of children under 18 who live with a severe mental or physical disability and require full-time care at home. It is one of SASSA's highest-value grants, recognising the extraordinary costs families face—from medical care and therapy to specialised equipment and transport.

Current Payout

R2,320

per child, per month

From April 2026

R2,400

+R80 increase confirmed

Processing Time

7–90 days

decision within 30 business days

Do you pass the Means Test?

The Care Dependency Grant has significantly higher income thresholds than most other grants, because SASSA recognises the extra costs of caring for a severely disabled child. Check if you qualify below.

Single R23,100/m

Married R46,200/m

Marital Status

Applicant Type

Total Monthly Income (Before Tax)

Eligibility & Requirements

Who Can Apply

You must be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or recognised refugee.
You must be the child's parent, legal guardian, foster parent, or court-appointed primary caregiver.
The child must be under 18 years old with a severe physical or mental disability.
The child must require full-time special care at home — not in a state institution.
Both you and the child must reside in South Africa.
The child's condition must be confirmed by a SASSA-appointed medical officer.
Foster parents are exempt from the Means Test.

Document Checklist

Tap each item as you gather it before visiting SASSA.

Your original 13-digit Barcoded ID or Smart ID Card. Child's Birth Certificate or ID document. Medical/assessment report confirming the child's severe disability. Proof of income: payslips, pension slips, or 3 months bank statements. If married: spouse's ID and proof of their income. Proof of marital status (marriage cert, divorce decree, or death cert). If foster parent: court order proving foster care placement. If not biological parent: affidavit as primary caregiver.

The Medical Assessment — What to Expect

The medical assessment is the most critical part of your application. A SASSA-appointed state medical officer will evaluate your child's condition. Here's what you need to know:

Who performs the assessment?

A government-appointed medical doctor will assess your child. This is not your family doctor — SASSA must refer the child to a state medical officer. However, you should bring along any existing medical records, hospital letters, specialist reports, or the child's Road to Health Card (RTHC) to support the assessment. The more documentation you provide, the smoother the process.

What does the doctor evaluate?

The medical officer evaluates whether the child has a severe disability — physical, mental, or both — that makes them unable to function independently. They assess daily living activities: can the child feed themselves, wash, dress, move around, or communicate? The doctor produces a report recommending whether the child qualifies for full-time special care support. Conditions that commonly qualify include cerebral palsy, severe autism, Down syndrome, profound intellectual disability, and serious physical impairments.

Will my child be re-assessed?

Yes, SASSA can request periodic re-assessments to confirm the child still qualifies. You will receive written notice at least 3 months in advance before a review takes place. For permanent conditions (e.g. cerebral palsy, genetic conditions), reviews tend to be less frequent. For conditions that may improve over time, SASSA may schedule reviews more often. Always keep medical records up to date and respond promptly to any SASSA review notices — failure to attend can result in grant suspension.

Can my child attend school and still qualify?

Yes. Your child can attend a special needs school, day-care centre, or use professional support services and still receive the Care Dependency Grant — as long as the child is not in permanent residential/institutional care funded by the state. The key requirement is that the child lives at home with you. Attending school during the day does not disqualify them.

Foster Parents: You May Receive Two Grants

If you are a foster parent caring for a severely disabled child, you can receive both the Care Dependency Grant (R2,320/month) and the Foster Child Grant (R1,250/month) for the same child — a combined R3,570 per month. Foster parents are also exempt from the Means Test, meaning your income level will not affect eligibility. You will need your foster care court order as proof.

How to Apply

Visit Your Nearest SASSA Office

Take all documents from the checklist above. You cannot apply online for the Care Dependency Grant — it must be done in person. If you are too ill or disabled to visit, a family member can apply on your behalf with a signed letter of authority.

In-person only

Complete the Application Form

A SASSA officer will assist you in completing the official application form. They will interview you and verify your documents. Only you (the applicant) or the SASSA official may fill in the form — no third parties.

Biometric verification required

Medical Assessment Referral

SASSA will refer your child to a state medical officer for a disability assessment. Bring any existing medical records, hospital letters, and specialist reports. The doctor will produce a formal assessment report for SASSA.

State doctor assessment

Receive Your Application Receipt

You will be given a stamped receipt with a reference number, the date, and the name of the SASSA officer who helped you. Keep this receipt safe — it is your only proof of application and essential for follow-ups.

Keep as proof

Wait for a Decision

SASSA will review your application, verify documents, and cross-check with Home Affairs and other databases. A decision is made within 30 business days. If approved, payments are backdated to the exact day you applied. If declined, SASSA must provide the reason in writing and you have 90 days to appeal.

7–90 day process

2026 Grant Reviews: Don't Ignore SMS Notices

SASSA has intensified biometric and income verification checks in 2026. If you receive an SMS about a compulsory grant review, respond immediately. Failure to attend a scheduled review can result in your grant being suspended. Bring updated income proof, the child's latest medical records, and your ID to the review. If your circumstances have changed (new job, increased income), inform SASSA proactively to avoid being asked to repay months of grants.

How Does the CDG Compare?

Understand how the Care Dependency Grant stacks up against similar SASSA grants.

Grant Type	Amount (Apr 2026)	For Whom	Means Test
Care Dependency	R2,400	Children under 18 with severe disability	R23,100/m (single)
Child Support	R580	Children under 18 in low-income households	R5,000/m (single)
Foster Child	R1,295	Court-placed foster children	None required
Disability (Adult)	R2,400	Adults 18–59 with disability	R10,890/m (single)

Payment Methods

Once approved, you choose how to receive your Care Dependency Grant each month:

Bank deposit — Paid directly into a bank account in your name. This is the fastest and most reliable option.
SASSA gold card — Collect cash from approved retail pay points (e.g. Shoprite, Pick n Pay, Boxer) or SAPO (Post Office).
ATM withdrawal — Use your SASSA card at any Saswitch-enabled ATM.

If you receive payment via bank, a procurator, or institution, you must submit a life certificate at your SASSA office every year to confirm ongoing eligibility.

grantZA is an independent informational guide. For official payment dates, disputes, or technical issues, please contact the SASSA toll-free helpline directly at 0800 60 10 11 (Mon–Fri, 7am–4pm).