South African Social Security Agency
Care Dependency Grant
At a glance
Who qualifies
- South African citizen, permanent resident, or recognised refugee
- Primary caregiver of a child under 18
- Child has a severe disability requiring full-time home care (SASSA medical assessment)
- Child is not permanently cared for in a state institution
- Household income under the means-test threshold
- Living in South Africa (child and caregiver)
Who does not qualify
- Child is in permanent state care
- Household income above the means-test threshold
- Child does not require full-time attendance (light or moderate disability)
- Non-residents of South Africa
Documents you bring
- Your 13-digit barcoded ID or Smart ID card
- Child's original birth certificate (with ID number)
- SASSA medical assessment report confirming severe disability (not older than 3 months)
- Clinical records from the treating doctor / hospital
- Proof of residence (utility bill or affidavit)
- 3 months' bank statements
- Proof of income (payslip / UIF / affidavit)
- Spouse's ID and marriage certificate (if married)
The medical assessment is done by a SASSA-appointed medical officer, not your family doctor. Book the assessment at your SASSA branch before submitting the application.
How to apply
- Book a SASSA medical assessment at your nearest branch.
- Attend the assessment with all clinical records for the child.
- Gather remaining documents (ID, birth cert, income proof, etc.).
- Return to the SASSA branch with the completed assessment and documents.
- An officer captures the application directly on the SOCPEN system.
- You receive a stamped receipt with a reference number. Keep it.
- Application processed within 3 months. You get an SMS on the outcome.
The grant is reviewed periodically. You may be asked to submit an updated medical assessment when SASSA calls the review, usually every 1-5 years depending on the condition.
"Severe disability" is not the same as "disability"
Care Dependency requires that the child needs full-time attendance because of a severe disability. Children with moderate disabilities that do not require constant care are usually redirected to the Child Support Grant with add-on services rather than Care Dependency. The SASSA medical officer, not your specialist, makes this call; specialist letters help but do not decide.