SASSA Child Support Grant (CSG)
The SASSA Child Support Grant is designed to help lower-income households with the basic costs of raising a child. You do not need to be the biological parent to apply - you simply need to be the child's primary caregiver (grandparent, older sibling, or extended family member).
Do you qualify financially?
SASSA uses a "Means Test" to ensure grants go to those who need them most. Use our live calculator to check if your income falls below the current legal threshold.
Eligibility & Requirements
General Rules
- The primary caregiver must be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee.
- The applicant and the child must currently reside in South Africa.
- The child must be under 18 years old.
- You cannot get this grant for more than 6 children who are not your legally adopted/biological children.
- The child cannot be cared for in a state institution.
Document Checklist
Tap the items as you pack them for your SASSA branch visit.
How to Apply
Unlike the SRD R350 grant, the Child Support Grant cannot be fully processed online. Because it involves verifying the identity and welfare of a minor, you must apply in person at your nearest SASSA office or service point.
- Take your completed documents (from the checklist above) to the SASSA branch.
- A SASSA officer will interview you and help you fill out the application form in their presence.
- You will be given a receipt with a reference number. Keep this receipt safe, as it is your only proof of application.
- Processing typically takes up to 30 days. If approved, you will be paid backdated from the exact day you applied.
Which Child Grant is the Right One?
One of the most common reasons caregivers waste a full day at a SASSA branch is applying for the wrong grant. The Child Support Grant, Foster Child Grant, and Care Dependency Grant each serve a specific situation. The quick comparison below should save you the trip.
| Scenario | Apply For | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You are the parent or family caregiver of the child | Child Support Grant | Standard grant. No court order needed. |
| Both parents deceased, child lives with you | CSG + Top-Up | Faster than Foster Grant. No court required. |
| Child placed in your care by Children's Court | Foster Child Grant | Pays more (R1,180), but requires a court order. |
| Child has a severe, permanent disability needing full-time care | Care Dependency Grant | Requires a medical assessment. |
Why CSG Applications Get Rejected (and How to Fix It)
Top Reasons for Rejection
- Income above the means test threshold. Even one good commission month on a bank statement can push you over if the officer averages the 3 months.
- Child is already registered on another caregiver's grant. Common when a grandparent applies while an aunt is still listed.
- Unabridged birth certificate missing. Hospital-issued certificates are not accepted; you need the Home Affairs version.
- ID and birth certificate surnames do not match without an accompanying affidavit explaining the difference.
- Caregiver is not physically resident with the child. SASSA may do a home visit to verify.
How to Overturn a Rejection
- You have 90 days from the rejection SMS to lodge an internal appeal at any SASSA branch.
- Ask the officer for the written rejection reason in the "G-form" before you leave. Without it, you cannot appeal effectively.
- If the reason is income-related, bring a recent sworn affidavit explaining any unusual deposits (maintenance, one-off payments, remittances).
- If internal appeal is refused, you can escalate to the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals (ITSAA) at no cost.
When the Grant Changes or Stops
The Child Support Grant is not a "set and forget" payment. Several life events automatically pause or cancel it, and SASSA does not always send a warning SMS before the money stops arriving.
- Child turns 18: Payments stop in the month of the 18th birthday. Unlike the Foster Grant, there is no extension for schooling.
- Primary caregiver changes: If the child moves to a new home, the new caregiver must apply fresh. The grant does not transfer automatically.
- Caregiver household income rises: You are legally required to notify SASSA. Failure to do so can trigger a claw-back of overpaid funds.
- Child is placed in a state institution (orphanage, state-run special school with residence): grant suspended while the placement is active.
- Caregiver leaves South Africa for more than 90 consecutive days: payments suspended until re-entry is verified.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim CSG if the biological father pays maintenance?
Yes. Court-ordered maintenance is not counted as household income for the means test. However, voluntary maintenance deposited to your bank account may be treated as income unless you bring a court order or signed affidavit confirming it is for the child's direct use.
I am the grandmother. Do I need the child's mother's permission to apply?
Not if the mother has effectively abandoned the child or is not caring for them. SASSA will ask you to complete a "primary caregiver" affidavit confirming you are the person feeding, clothing, and housing the child day to day.
How long does SASSA take to pay the first amount?
Official policy is 21 working days, but in practice most approved applications pay out on the next grant cycle (following month). Payment is backdated to the date you applied, not the date of approval, so keep the original application receipt.
Can I get CSG for a refugee or asylum-seeker child?
Yes. Following the 2017 Constitutional Court ruling, refugee children and caregivers who hold valid section 24 refugee permits qualify for CSG on the same basis as South African citizens.
The child is with me during the school term and with the mother during holidays. Who claims?
The person who is the primary caregiver for the majority of the year. SASSA defines this as the person responsible for daily needs (food, school, supervision) for more than six months per year. Only one person can claim at a time.
Does CSG affect my SRD R350 application?
No. The R530 CSG is paid to you in your capacity as the child's caregiver, not as personal income. It does not count against you in the SRD means test. Millions of caregivers legitimately receive both.
Check Your SASSA Grant Status
View your payment status, April 2026 dates, new grant amounts, and troubleshoot common issues - all in one place.
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.