SASSA Foster Child Grant
The Foster Child Grant is a legal financial provision for families who are caring for a child who is not their biological child, and who has been officially placed in their care by the South African Children’s Court. A valid court order and social worker intervention are strictly required.
When will the grant expire?
Unlike other grants, the Foster Child Grant lapses automatically. Use our tool to see if you can legally extend the grant based on the child's current age and schooling status.
Eligibility & Legal Requirements
Court Order Requirements
- You must possess a valid Children's Court Order explicitly stating the child is placed in your foster care.
- You and the child must live in South Africa.
- The grant is applicable until the child turns 18 (unless extended for schooling).
- The child must remain in your care; you cannot claim if the child moves to a state institution.
Required Documents
- Your 13-digit barcoded ID.
- The child's birth certificate or ID.
- The official Court Order indicating foster care status.
- Proof of your marital status (marriage certificate or divorce decree).
- A report or letter from the designated social worker assigned to the child's case.
Critical Warnings to Avoid Disruption
This is the #1 reason foster payments stop. Foster care court orders typically expire every two years. You must contact your social worker months before the expiration date to have the order renewed by the Children's Court.
SASSA will automatically stop the grant in the month the child turns 18. If the child is still completing high school, you must submit a school attendance certificate to SASSA to extend the grant (up to age 21).
If you move to a new province or city, you must notify your social worker immediately so your case file can be transferred. If SASSA or the social worker cannot locate you, the grant will be suspended.
Renewing a Lapsed Court Order: The Real Timeline
The single biggest cause of stopped Foster Grant payments is a court order that expires before renewal paperwork reaches the Children's Court. The process is slow, the waiting list is long, and social workers are understaffed. Start the renewal at least six months before the existing order expires. Here is what the process actually looks like on the ground:
- Month 6 before expiry: Contact the Department of Social Development office that handled the original placement. Ask for the name of the allocated social worker by file number, not name (social workers rotate frequently).
- Month 5: The social worker conducts a home visit to verify the child is still in your care and is being properly looked after.
- Month 4: A Section 159 progress report is compiled. You will need to provide school reports, clinic records, and proof that the child is receiving necessary medical care.
- Month 3: The social worker submits the report and application for extension to the Children's Court.
- Month 1 or 2: Court hearing is scheduled. You must attend with the child. The magistrate either extends the order for another two years or converts the placement.
- After court: Take the new court order to SASSA within 14 days. If you miss this window, your grant will be suspended even if the order itself is valid.
If your order has already lapsed, do not wait for SASSA to notice. Go straight to the social worker, request an urgent Section 159 review, and ask for a written confirmation letter to take to SASSA so your payments are not suspended during the renewal process.
Foster Grant vs CSG Top-Up: When to Choose Which
The Department of Social Development has pushed caregivers of orphaned children toward the Child Support Grant plus Top-Up (R530 + R250 = R780/month) rather than the formal Foster Grant (R1,180/month). The difference is not just money - the administrative load and legal exposure vary significantly. Use this comparison to decide:
| Factor | Foster Child Grant | CSG + Top-Up |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly amount | R1,180 | R780 |
| Requires court order | Yes | No |
| Court order renewal cycle | Every 2 years | Not applicable |
| Means test on caregiver income | No | Yes (same as CSG) |
| Time to first payment | 6-18 months (court delays) | 1-2 months |
| Extends past age 18 | Yes, to 21 if in school | No |
Cluster Foster Care: For 2+ Unrelated Children
If you are caring for two or more unrelated foster children (for example, as a non-profit foster home or a registered cluster), your arrangement falls under the Cluster Foster Care Scheme. Two things to know:
- Each child needs their own individual court order. A single "cluster" court order is not accepted by SASSA. Payments are issued per child.
- Foster parents in a cluster scheme must be registered as foster care providers with the Department of Social Development. Registration requires a background check, home assessment, and training.
Cluster foster care attracts a small operating subsidy from the provincial Department of Social Development on top of the per-child Foster Grants, but the amount and availability varies by province. Ask your local DSD office for the current provincial subsidy rate.
From Foster to Adoption: What Changes
Many long-term foster parents eventually want to adopt. Three things change when adoption is finalised:
- Your Foster Grant stops immediately. The child is no longer in foster care - they are legally your child.
- You can apply for the Child Support Grant instead, subject to the standard means test.
- If the biological parents are both deceased, you qualify for the CSG Top-Up once adoption is final.
The financial drop from R1,180 (Foster) to R530 (CSG) or R780 (CSG + Top-Up) is significant, so many long-term foster parents delay formal adoption. There is no legal requirement to adopt a foster child, and SASSA does not penalise foster parents who choose to keep the placement under a renewed court order indefinitely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get the Foster Grant without going through the Children's Court?
No. The Foster Child Grant is legally linked to a Children's Court placement. Without a valid court order naming you as the foster parent, SASSA cannot pay the grant. If you are caring for a child informally (for example, a nephew whose mother has passed away), apply for CSG + Top-Up instead.
My social worker has left and no one answers the phone. What do I do?
Go directly to the provincial Department of Social Development office (not the local one) and ask for the "Foster Care Unit Supervisor." Bring a copy of your court order. They can reassign your file and issue a written confirmation for SASSA if payments are at risk due to the social worker handover delay.
Is there a means test on my income?
No. Unlike the Child Support Grant, there is no income threshold for the Foster Child Grant. The rationale is that you are providing a service the state would otherwise have to pay an institution to provide. Your salary, spouse's income, and assets are not assessed.
What happens if the biological parent wants the child back?
Reunification is a court decision, not a SASSA decision. If the Children's Court discharges the foster placement and returns the child to the biological parent, your Foster Grant stops the following month. The biological parent can then apply for the Child Support Grant in their own name.
Does the child need to be related to me?
No. Kinship foster care (family members) and non-kinship foster care (unrelated children) both qualify, as long as there is a valid court placement. About 95% of foster placements in South Africa are with relatives.