SASSA Foster Child Grant | Eligibility, Application, and Process

The SASSA Foster Child Grant provides financial assistance to foster parents who are responsible for children placed in their care by a court order. Foster parents are responsible for providing children with basic needs like education, medical care, shelter, food, etc.

Usually, the foster child keeps receiving the grant till 18. But, if a child is in high school at age 18, they will keep getting the grant until they are 21. Yet, if they complete their education or begin earning a substantial income, the grant would not be given anymore.

What are the Eligibility Criteria For the SASSA Foster Child Grant?

Before you apply for the foster child grant, it’s important to ensure that you meet the following criteria:

• To qualify for the grant, you must have permanent residency status, refugee status, or be a South African citizen.
• The foster child and you must have their residency in South Africa.
• You must be the person who cares for the child and is the foster parent of them.
• You are able to receive a grant only if you have become the child’s foster parent for the following reasons:
  • At risk
  • Neglected
  • Abused
  • Abandoned
  • Orphaned
• The age of the foster child must be lower than 18. 
• The child must have passed the SASSA Means Test.

SASSA Means Test For Foster Care Grant?

To make sure that the grant is awarded to people who truly need it, the foster child’s income is evaluated using the means test. The point to be noted here is that the income of the foster parents is not counted. 

This grant is specifically for foster parents whose foster children are not getting the basic needs and are living in conditions of poverty. The means test for the foster child grant checks if the child’s annual earning is less than twice the grant’s yearly amount. If the child earns less than this, they can get the grant.

The means test requirements are not the same for every type of grant. Every kind of grant has its own rules to check if someone qualifies based on their finances.

When And Why Did The SASSA Child Support Grant Start?

In 2003, SASSA started giving a special grant called the SASSA Foster Child Grant. It was to help families who were taking care of kids, especially those who lost their parents because of HIV/AIDS. This grant gave these families some extra money to support the kids.

The grant is there to give foster parents money to look after the child’s needs, like food, clothes, and a place to live. It also makes the child feel safe because they know they will have money regularly.

The grant in South Africa has proved very successful. It’s helped make foster children’s lives better by giving them more money. A study from the University of Cape Town found that the grant made it easier for foster kids to learn in school and stay healthy.

The SASSA Foster Care Grant is like a safety net from the South African government. It makes sure that kids in foster care have what they need to grow up happy and healthy.

How Much Is The SASSA Foster Child Grant Amount?

From October 1, 2023, every foster child is receiving R1,130 per month. To make sure it keeps up with the needs of foster children, this amount is checked and changed every six months.

From April 1, 2024, there will be an anticipated increase of R10 per month for each child receiving the grant, providing a little extra financial support to their caregivers.

What Is The Complete Procedure For Applying for a Foster Child Grant?

To get the foster child grant, you first need a letter from the court that says you are the child’s foster parent. You can get this letter by making an appointment with a social worker from the Department of Social Development.

Once you have the court order, you can apply for the SASSA foster child grant at your nearest SASSA office. Just fill out a form there, or you can go online and follow the steps on the website to apply.

If you’re too old, sick, or have trouble moving, you can select a family member or friend you trust to apply for you. To make this process official, you need to fill out the form of Power of Attorney.

The person helping you will show SASSA officials this form and a note from a doctor that explains why you can not come to the SASSA office. You can get the forms at the SASSA office, and it’s better to fill it out there in front of the SASSA officer, but it is not compulsory. 

If it is difficult for you to fill out the form, then you can get help from the SASSA officer. They will communicate with you or someone you choose and then tell you if you can get the grant.

After applying the form, the SASSA officer will give you a receipt with the date and their name on it. Keep this receipt as proof, even if you don’t get the grant, to show you applied.

How Long Does It Take For The SASSA Foster Child Grant Application To Be Processed?

It typically takes around three months to review and approve foster child grant applications. After approval, payments begin and cover the period from when you applied. If your application is declined, SASSA will send a letter explaining why you did not qualify for the grant.

How To Check SASSA Foster Child Grant Status?

After you apply for the grant, it is important to regularly check the status to know if it is approved or declined. Once approved, you should keep checking for updates on future payments. To check your SASSA foster child grant status, there are various methods you can use.

What To Do If SASSA Child Foster Grant Application Is Declined?

If your foster grant application is turned down, and you think it was a mistake, you can ask SASSA to look at it again. If they say no again, and you still believe the decision is wrong, you can appeal to the Ministry of Social Development at the National Department of Social Development. But you can appeal after the 90 days of rejection.

The Ministry of Social Development will check your appeal and decide. If you succeed in convincing them, they will change SASSA’s decision, and you will start receiving your grant money. If they say no, they will give you a written reason for their decision.

Understanding the SASSA Foster Child Grant Payment Process

After your foster child grant is approved, payments will start from the date when you submit an application. SASSA releases a payment schedule every month, but there is no fixed date. 

You can select your preferred method to receive the money from following three available options:

• The grant amount will be directly deposited into your postbank account or bank account. 
• You can get cash at stores like Checkers,Spar, Boxer, Usave, Pick n Pay, Shoprite, or any other works with SASSA.
• From some institutions like disability centers, Non-profit organizations, or old-age homes.

To get your SASSA Child Grant payments in a bank account, you have to fill out the Consent Form. You also need to give them these documents:

• Give a proof of your identity by showing the driver’s license, ID card, or birth certificate.
• Tell the SASSA officers your bank account number that should be on your name.
• Give your bank statements of the last three months on which your account number and name should be written.

You can change the payment by filling out a form at the welfare office. But, you will start getting the money through a new way after one month when it is approved. You can also elect someone to collect your grant if you are unable to do this because of sickness or illness. 

How To Check SASSA Foster Child Grant Balance?

You can use the SASSA balance check service to see how much money is left in your grant. This helps you keep an eye on your funds, so you can plan your spending wisely. After approving the application for the foster child grant and start getting payments, it is a good idea to check your balance regularly using the methods provided:

• Dial the USSD code *120*69277# or*120*3210# on your mobile phone.
• Through any ATM (customary bank fees may be incurred).
• Contact SASSA at WhatsApp number SASSA 082 046 8553 
• By contacting SASSA call center at 0800 601 011.

What Is SASSA Foster Child Support Grant Review?

To fulfill the court order, your foster child grant undergoes a review every two years. The main purpose of the review is to assess whether the child still qualifies for the grant based on means test criteria and ongoing circumstances.

The process verifies the financial circumstances of the child and caregiver. To make the review process smooth, it is crucial to keep your grant application updated whenever changes occur in the child’s circumstances.

You will receive a written notice from SASSA prior to the three-month review or the life certificate submission deadline. This notice will contain information about the review date and its location.

If you receive your grant through an agent, institution, or bank, it’s necessary to submit a life certificate to the SASSA office on an annual basis. You will be provided with a compliance receipt after the review.

What Are Some Reasons For Child Grant Suspension?

There are a number of reasons that can cause your SASSA Child Grant suspended are:

• If your application gets suspended. 
• If your circumstances change.
• If your grant was approved by a mistake.
• You  had not cooperate with SASSA officers during the review.
• You give wrong information or try to do fraud with SASSA.

Restoration of the Grant

If you are sure that your grant suspension was a mistake or if you have a dispute with SASSA’s decision, you have the opportunity to give your appeal to the Ministry of Social Development at the National Department of Social Development. You will take this action within 90 days from the date your grant was suspended.

Reasons for Lapsing of the Foster Child Grant

If any of the following happens, your foster child grant will expire:

• The child becomes 18 years old. In the event that the child turns 18 while studying in secondary or high school, the grant amount will continue to be received until they are 21. When the kid graduates from school or begins to make more money than they do, the grant payments will end.
• The foster parent or child has died.
• The applicant got admission in the state care institute.
• Your foster care period for the child has ended.
• If you are a refugee and your refugee status has ended.
• If the grant has not been received in the last three months.
• You have not been living in South Africa for the last 90 days.

What Are The Responsibilities Of The Beneficiaries?

As the recipient of an SASSA award, you also have certain obligations to fulfill:

• Keep SASSA informed of any changes to your financial or personal situation to maintain accuracy. Additionally, inform them of your foster child’s progress.
• Notifying SASSA of changes to your address or personal contact information in time is crucial.
• SASSA always wants true information and does not compromise in case of fraud.

SASSA will send alerts and updates to the address you provided in the application. You must keep the SASSA informed regarding the financial condition of the child to prevent any disruption or suspension in your funding. 

Your funds may be suspended if you update your address or contact information without telling the SASSA because SASSA will not be able to contact you.

SASSA Contact Details

If you have any questions regarding the procedure of the SASSA Grant for foster child, contact SASSA:

Contact SASSA Toll-Free Call Center	0800 60 10 11
Contact the SASSA Head Office	012 400 2322
Send your queries to SASSA via email	[email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

What Is A Sassa SRD Foster Child Grant?

SASSA SRD Foster Child Grant is a financial grant provided to foster parents by SASSA so that they can help the children fulfill their needs. 

Who Qualifies For Sassa Foster Child Grant?

You must fulfill the following criteria in order to be eligible for the SASSA Foster Child Grant:

• You must be a citizen, permanent resident, or refugee in South Africa.
• The foster child and you must reside in South Africa.
• The foster child needs to be placed in your care legally and needs to stay in your care.
• The foster kid must be younger than eighteen.

How Much Is Sassa Foster Care Grant?

If your SASSA Foster Care Grant is approved, then you will get R1130 per month for each child.

How Much Increase For Sassa Foster Child Grant?

On October 1, 2023, the SASSA Foster Child Grant increased from R1,070 to R1,130 per child per month. It is expected that there will be an increase of R10 in the grant by 1 April 2023.

How Do I Check My Sassa Foster Child Grant Balance?

You may check the amount of your SASSA Foster Child Grant in a number of different ways:

• Enter 120*3210# on your phone and follow the instructions.
• S”Balance” in a WhatsApp message sent to the SASSA number (082 046 8553).
• Open your SASSA MyWallet account and log in.
• Ask for a balance check when you visit an SASSA office.

Can I Apply For the Sassa Foster Child Grant Online?

Yes, you can apply for the SASSA Foster Child Grant online. You can apply online through the SASSA website. 

How Much Does The Foster Child Grant Applying Process Cost?

There are no service charges for applying for the SASSA Foster Child Grant. It’s totally free of cost. 

Final Words

The SASSA Foster Child Grant is a crucial source of support for foster parents caring for children under their guardianship. It helps cover essential needs like education, healthcare, and shelter. While typically granted until age 18, it can extend to 21 for high school students. However, once education is completed or significant income is earned, the grant ceases.