SASSA Child Support Grant

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) provides R580 to parents and caregivers of a child under 18. This grant is called the SASSA Child Support Grant. Parents and caregivers raising a child and facing financial challenges can apply for this grant today.

I have explained the complete guide on how to apply for the Child Support Grant, how to check the status, and where to check the payment date for the grant. The grant has been running since 1998, when it started at R100 per month for children under seven. It was extended step by step, and since January 2012, it has covered children until they turn 18.

Continue to read and find out all the important questions with answers and guides.

About SASSA Child Support Grant (CSG)

The grant was first introduced in 1998. The payment was set at R100 for children under 7 years of age. The grant was only focused on the clothing and feeding of the applicant child. However, with the passage of time, the grant payment was increased. In 2026, the grant payment is R580 with a top-up of R290.

The Child Support Grant was paid to 13.1 million children in March 2025, according to the University of Cape Town’s Children Count data. The number has since dipped to about 12.3 million in 2026/27 as SASSA tightened income verification, according to National Treasury figures.

Source: Children Count, Children’s Institute, University of Cape Town — childrencount.uct.ac.za/indicator.php?domain=2&indicator=10. Data from SASSA SOCPEN monthly statistical reports.

Qualification Criteria 2026

SASSA has assigned eligibility criteria for the Child Support grant. The latest 2026 qualification criteria are mentioned below. Check whether you qualify or not.

• The applicant must be a primary caregiver of the child, such as a parent or grandparent. 
• Must be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee.
• The applicant and child must reside in South Africa.
• The children must be born after 31 December 1993.
• The applicant cannot apply for more than 6 non-biological children.
• The age of the child must be under 18 years.
• The child should not be cared for in any state-funded institution.
• Must pass the means test.
• The yearly income should not be above R69,600 if single.
• The yearly income should not be above R139,200 if married.
• The primary caregiver should not be hired to take care of the child.

Documents Needed

You need to prepare the following documents to apply for the Child Support Grant.

• ID Document: You need to submit your 13-digit barcoded identification document certified copy. If the ID is not available, SASSA will ask for an alternative ID document. Refugees will need to submit their certified Section 24 refugee permit.
• Child ID: A certified 13-digit birth certificate of the child.
• Marital Status Proof: Submit a copy of either a marriage certificate, a death certificate of the spouse, a decree of divorce, or an affidavit if these documents are not available.
• Last Payslip: Applicant and spouse have to provide the last payslip as income source proof. The payslip should not be older than 3 months.
• Last 3 Months’ Bank Statement: Applicant and spouse will need to provide the last 3 months’ bank statements of all the active banks that they have.
• Grant Payment Receiving Bank: Provide your bank account confirmation letter or last 3 months’ bank statement of the bank in which you want to receive the grant payment.
• School Going Proof: Provide school-going proof with a letter from the school principal with an attendance record. However, if the child is not going to school, the grant will not be rejected.

Note: Apart from these documents, SASSA has the right to ask for any additional documents if needed. Also, all the documents must be certified with a stamp.

Application Process

Applicants can apply for a Child Support Grant in two ways. One method is using the SASSA online services portal, and the other is by visiting the SASSA office in person.

I have explained both methods for the ease of applicants. Now it is up to you which method you choose. For the online application, I have already added a detailed guide, so I am not repeating it here. You can read the complete guide here: SASSA Services Portal for Applications.

1. Visit your nearest SASSA office and bring all the required documents with you.
2. You don’t need to get an application form, as your application will be entered directly into SOCPEN (Social Pension System) online.
3. Provide all the required documents’ attested copies to the SASSA officer.
4. Once the application is submitted, the grant officer will provide you with a reference number that you need to keep safe.
5. The application process can take 3 months, so you need to wait. You will get an SMS for the confirmation of your application approval or decline.
6. Once your application is approved, your payment will be calculated from the day you applied, not from your grant approval date. This means you will get all the previous months’ payments in your first grant payment.

How will you get the Child Support Grant Payment?

Beneficiaries can get the grant payment from SASSA using the following payment methods.

• Cash Payment: Collect the grant payment in cash from the nearest pay points such as Pick n Pay.
• Bank Transfer: Get a direct deposit from SASSA into your bank account.
• Institution Payment: The grant administrator institution will pay the amount on behalf of SASSA.
• SASSA Black Card: Apply for a SASSA Black debit card and get a direct deposit into your debit card. Use this card at any ATM to withdraw your payment.

How to Solve a Declined Child Support Grant Application Issue?

SASSA can decline your application if they find you are not eligible for the grant. However, if you believe that you qualify for the payment and SASSA has made a mistake, then you have the option to appeal.

You can appeal to the Minister of Social Development at the national office of the Department of Social Development. However, you need to lodge the appeal within 90 days after receiving the declined grant status.

When will your Grant Stop?

SASSA will monitor your circumstances continuously, and if any of the following changes occur, your grant will be suspended.

• A positive change in financial circumstances.
• If the child dies.
• If the child is submitted to any state institution for care.
• If the caregiver or parent fails to claim the payment for 3 consecutive months.
• If the child goes abroad and stays there.
• If SASSA finds any fraud or deceit in your application.

F.A.Q