SASSA Care Dependency Grant

BySASSA

If you’re caring for a child with a severe disability, the financial and emotional responsibility can feel overwhelming. In South Africa, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) provides the Care Dependency Grant to help families like yours cover the costs of raising and supporting a child who needs full-time care. This grant is designed to ease the burden, making sure your child has access to the care, resources, and dignity they deserve.

What Is the Care Dependency Grant?

The Care Dependency Grant is a monthly payment from SASSA that helps parents, foster parents, or primary caregivers support a child with a severe, permanent disability. The grant ensures that families are not left alone in meeting the often higher costs of caring for such a child.

  • Current value (2025): R2,180 per month, per eligible child

  • Administered by: South African Social Security Agency (SASSA)

  • Target group: Children under 18 who require permanent care due to disability

Adults can apply for different forms of SASSA assistance such as the srd grant, the disability grant, and the old age grant, however, there isn’t a specific option available under the name “Caregiver Grant.”

SASSA Care Dependency Grant

Who Qualifies for the Care Dependency Grant?

You may qualify if:

  • The child is under 18 years old.

  • The child has been assessed by a medical doctor appointed by SASSA, confirming a severe, permanent disability requiring full-time care.

  • You are a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee living in South Africa.

  • You pass the means test, which checks if your household income is below the set threshold.

Income thresholds (2025):

  • Single caregivers must earn less than R249,600 per year (R20,800 per month).

  • Married caregivers must earn less than R499,200 per year (R41,600 per month).

If you earn above this limit, you won’t qualify, unless you are a foster parent (then the means test does not apply).

How to Apply for the Care Dependency Grant

You can apply at your nearest SASSA office. The process may take several weeks, so it’s best to prepare all documents in advance.

Step 1: Collect Required Documents

You’ll need:

  • Your South African ID (or refugee status permit).

  • The child’s birth certificate.

  • A medical/assessment report from a SASSA-approved doctor.

  • Proof of income (salary slips, bank statements, or affidavit if unemployed).

  • Proof of marital status (marriage certificate, divorce order, or spouse’s death certificate if applicable).

  • For foster parents: a court order placing the child in your care.

Step 2: Visit Your Local SASSA Office

  • Complete the application form in person. (It’s free, and SASSA staff can help if you cannot read or write.)

  • Submit your documents.

  • You’ll receive a receipt as proof of application, keep it safe.

Step 3: Wait for Processing

  • Applications are processed within up to 3 months.

  • If approved, payments are backdated to the date you applied.

  • If denied, SASSA must give written reasons, and you can appeal.

How You’ll Receive the Grant

Once approved, you can choose how to get your monthly payment:

  • Direct deposit into your bank account.

  • Cash collection at a pay point (for example, a retail outlet or SASSA mobile pay unit).

Payments are made on a fixed monthly schedule, usually in the first week of the month.

Keeping Your Grant Active

To keep receiving the Care Dependency Grant, you’ll need to:

  • Ensure your child’s medical status remains valid (SASSA may request re-assessment).

  • Inform SASSA if your circumstances change, such as income level, marital status, or if the child no longer requires special care.

  • Reapply when your child turns 18 if they still require support, at that point, they may qualify for a Disability Grant instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get the Care Dependency Grant if I’m unemployed?

Yes. Being unemployed does not disqualify you. In fact, many unemployed caregivers qualify, as long as they meet the means test.

How long does it take for the Care Dependency Grant to be approved?

Processing can take up to 3 months, but payments are backdated to your application date if approved.

Do foster parents have to pass the means test?

No. If you’re a foster parent, you qualify automatically once the child meets the medical requirements.

What happens when my child turns 18?

The Care Dependency Grant stops. If your child still cannot support themselves due to disability, you’ll need to apply for the Disability Grant.

Can the grant be stopped?

Yes. SASSA may stop payments if your income rises above the threshold, if you give false information, or if your child no longer qualifies.

Caring for a child with a severe disability is a full-time responsibility, and no caregiver should feel alone in that journey. The SASSA Care Dependency Grant is there to give you the financial support you need so you can focus on what truly matters, your child’s health, growth, and quality of life.

If you qualify, don’t hesitate to apply. Every month of support makes a difference, and this grant is your right as a caregiver under South African law.