How to Apply for SASSA Grants 2026

How to Apply for the Child Support Grant

Monthly Amount: R560 per child (increased in 2026)

Who Can Apply?

The Child Support Grant helps caregivers provide for children's basic needs. You can apply if:

• You are the primary caregiver of a child (biological parent, grandparent, relative, or foster parent)
• You are a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee
• The child is under 18 years old
• The child lives with you most of the time
• You pass the means test (income limits apply)

Income Requirements (Means Test)

Your household income must be within these limits:

• If you are single: Your annual income must not exceed R60,000 (approximately R5,000 per month)
• If you are married: Combined household income must not exceed R120,000 annually (approximately R10,000 per month)

Step-by-Step Application Process

The Child Support Grant can only be applied for in person at a SASSA office. Here's the complete process:

Step 1: Gather Your Documents

Before going to the SASSA office, make sure you have:

• Your South African ID document or valid passport and permit (if refugee or permanent resident)
• The child's birth certificate (unabridged certificate showing parents' details)
• Proof of income: Recent payslips, bank statements, or an affidavit declaring unemployment if you don't work
• Proof of your residential address (utility bill, lease agreement, or letter from traditional leader)
• Bank account details if you want direct deposit
• If you're not the biological parent: Proof of guardianship or court order (for foster care) or affidavit from parents giving you care of the child

Step 2: Visit Your Nearest SASSA Office

• Find your nearest office by calling 0800 60 10 11 or checking the SASSA website
• Bring the child with you to the appointment (required for verification)
• Arrive early in the morning as offices get busy
• Take a queue number and wait for your turn

Step 3: Complete the Application

• A SASSA official will interview you and fill in the application form with your information
• All documents will be verified and copies made
• You'll need to sign the application form
• A home verification may be scheduled where a social worker visits your home
• You'll receive a receipt with your application reference number

Step 4: Wait for Processing

• Processing typically takes 3 months but can be faster
• SASSA will verify all information and may request additional documents
• You can check your application status by calling the helpline with your reference number
• If approved, you'll receive a letter confirming your approval and first payment date

Special Situations

Applying for Multiple Children

You can apply for up to 6 non-biological children in one application. For biological children, there's no limit. Bring birth certificates for all children you're applying for.

If the Father's Details Are Unknown

If the father's information is not on the birth certificate or is unknown, you'll need to provide an affidavit explaining the situation. This doesn't disqualify you from the grant.

If the Child Is in Your Care Temporarily

If the parents are unable to care for the child temporarily (illness, imprisonment, or abandonment), bring an affidavit from the parents or social worker confirming you're caring for the child. For more information about child grants, visit our grants page.

After Approval

• Payments are made monthly, usually between the 1st and 5th of each month
• You can collect at a SASSA pay point, post office, or have it deposited into your bank account
• The grant continues automatically until the child turns 18, provided they stay in school after age 16
• You must inform SASSA if the child leaves your care or if your circumstances change significantly
• You may be required to recertify your circumstances annually

How to Apply for the Disability Grant

Monthly Amount: R2,230 (as of 2026)

Who Can Apply?

The Disability Grant provides support to people whose medical condition prevents them from working. You qualify if:

• You are a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee
• You are between 18 and 59 years old
• You have a physical or mental disability that makes you unable to work for at least 6 months (temporary disability) or for more than 12 months (permanent disability)
• You pass the means test (same income limits as Older Persons Grant)
• Your disability has been confirmed by a medical assessment

Understanding the Medical Assessment

The medical assessment is a crucial part of the disability grant application. It evaluates how your condition affects your ability to work, not just the diagnosis itself. SASSA doctors assess:

• Your ability to perform work-related tasks
• How your condition affects daily activities and self-care
• Whether the disability is temporary or permanent
• The severity and expected duration of your disability

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Get Medical Documentation

Before applying, gather all medical evidence of your disability:

• Recent medical records from hospitals, clinics, or your doctor
• Specialist reports if you've seen specialists
• Test results, scans, or x-rays relevant to your condition
• Medication lists and prescription records
• Hospital admission records if you've been hospitalized

If you're seeing a private doctor, discuss your intention to apply for a disability grant so they can provide comprehensive documentation. If you use public healthcare, request copies of your medical records from the clinic or hospital.

Step 2: Visit a SASSA Office

Bring all your documents to your nearest SASSA office:

• Your South African ID or valid permit
• All medical records and reports
• Proof of income or affidavit declaring unemployment
• Bank statements for the past 3 months
• Proof of residence
• Bank account details for payment

Step 3: Complete Application Form

• A SASSA official will help you complete the application form
• You'll receive a medical assessment form that must be completed by a doctor
• The form asks detailed questions about your disability and how it affects your functioning

Step 4: Medical Assessment

This is the most important part of the process:

• Take the medical assessment form to a doctor (public clinic doctors can do this for free, or you can use a private doctor)
• The doctor will examine you and complete the form detailing your disability
• Bring all your medical records to this appointment
• The doctor's assessment should clearly explain why you cannot work due to your condition
• Return the completed form to SASSA as soon as possible

Step 5: SASSA Medical Review

• SASSA's own medical team will review your application and all supporting documents
• You may be called for an additional assessment by a SASSA-appointed doctor
• This assessment is free and conducted at a SASSA facility or local clinic
• Attend all scheduled appointments as missing them will delay or jeopardize your application

Step 6: Decision and Payment

• Processing takes approximately 3 months but can be longer for complex cases
• You'll receive a letter notifying you of the decision
• If approved, your grant will be classified as temporary (6-12 months) or permanent (more than 12 months)
• Payments begin from the date you applied if approved

Temporary vs. Permanent Disability Grants

Temporary Grants

• Granted if your condition is expected to improve within 12 months
• Valid for 6 to 12 months
• Must be renewed with a new medical assessment before expiry
• Can be converted to permanent if your condition doesn't improve

Permanent Grants

• Granted for disabilities expected to last more than one year
• Continues until you turn 60 (then automatically transfers to Older Persons Grant)
• May still require periodic reassessment every 5 years to confirm continued disability

Common Qualifying Conditions

While any condition that prevents you from working may qualify, common approved conditions include:

• Severe mental health conditions (schizophrenia, severe depression, bipolar disorder)
• Chronic illnesses (advanced HIV/AIDS, cancer, kidney failure requiring dialysis)
• Neurological conditions (epilepsy with frequent seizures, Parkinson's disease, severe stroke)
• Physical disabilities (paralysis, amputation, severe arthritis, blindness)
• Intellectual disabilities
• Chronic heart or lung disease

For a comprehensive guide, read our complete Disability Grant article.

If Your Application Is Declined

• You have the right to appeal within 90 days. Learn about your appeal rights
• Request the detailed medical assessment report that led to the decline
• Get additional medical evidence or specialist reports supporting your disability
• Submit your appeal in writing with new evidence
• Consider getting help from a disability rights organization or social worker

Important Points

• Having a medical condition doesn't automatically qualify you – it must prevent you from working
• Be completely honest in your medical assessments. Exaggerating symptoms can result in fraud charges
• If your condition improves and you can work, report this to SASSA
• Attend all reassessment appointments to avoid suspension of your grant
• Keep all medical records organized and accessible for reviews

How to Apply for the Care Dependency Grant

Monthly Amount: R2,230 (as of 2026)

Who Can Apply?

This grant helps parents or caregivers who care for children with severe disabilities at home. You can apply if:

• You are the parent or primary caregiver of a child with a severe disability
• You are a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee
• The child is between birth and 18 years old
• The child requires permanent care at home due to severe physical or mental disability
• The child is not being cared for in a state institution
• The child does not receive a Foster Care Grant
• You pass the means test (same limits as Child Support Grant)

What Qualifies as "Care Dependency"?

The child must require constant care due to a severe disability that affects their ability to function independently. Examples include:

• Severe cerebral palsy requiring full-time care
• Profound intellectual disability
• Severe autism requiring constant supervision
• Multiple severe physical disabilities
• Genetic conditions causing severe disability (Down syndrome with complications, severe spina bifida)
• Conditions requiring specialized medical care at home

The key factor is that the child needs significantly more care than a child of the same age without a disability would need.

Application Process

Step 1: Gather Medical Documentation

You'll need comprehensive medical evidence:

• All medical records documenting the child's disability
• Hospital reports and admission records
• Specialist assessments (neurologist, pediatrician, psychologist)
• Therapy reports (occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech therapy)
• School reports if the child attends special needs education
• Any test results, scans, or diagnostic reports

Step 2: Visit a SASSA Office

Bring these documents to your nearest SASSA office:

• Your South African ID
• The child's birth certificate and ID (if over 16)
• All medical documentation
• Proof of your income or affidavit declaring unemployment
• Bank statements for 3 months
• Proof of residence
• Bank account details

Step 3: Medical Assessment

• SASSA will provide you with a medical assessment form
• This must be completed by a medical practitioner who has examined the child
• The form asks detailed questions about the child's disability and care needs
• Public clinic doctors can complete this for free
• The assessment should clearly describe why the child requires permanent care at home

Step 4: Social Worker Assessment

• A social worker will visit your home to assess the child's care needs and your living situation
• They will observe the child and interview you about daily care routines
• The social worker's report is a crucial part of your application
• Be honest and thorough in describing the challenges and care requirements

Step 5: Processing and Decision

• Processing typically takes 3-4 months due to the complexity
• SASSA's medical team reviews all documentation
• You may be called for additional assessments
• If approved, payments begin from your application date

After Approval

• The grant is paid monthly, usually at the beginning of the month
• Periodic reassessments may be required to confirm continued care needs
• The grant continues until the child turns 18, unless their condition improves significantly
• Social workers may conduct follow-up home visits
• You must report any significant improvement in the child's condition

Can You Get Both Care Dependency and Child Support Grants?

No, you cannot receive both grants for the same child. However, the Care Dependency Grant amount is significantly higher (R2,230 vs. R560) because it recognizes the intensive care required. If you're caring for multiple children and only one has a severe disability, you can receive the Care Dependency Grant for that child and Child Support Grants for the others.

When Your Application May Be Declined

Common reasons for decline include:

• The child's disability is not considered severe enough to require constant care
• Insufficient medical documentation
• The child is in an institution (special care facility, children's home)
• Income or assets exceed the limits
• The child is over 18 years old

If declined, you have the right to appeal. Gather additional medical evidence and documentation showing the extent of care required, and submit your appeal in writing within 90 days.

Support Resources

Caring for a child with severe disabilities is challenging. Connect with support resources:

• Disability rights organizations (Disabled People South Africa - DPSA)
• Condition-specific support groups (Autism SA, Down Syndrome SA, Cerebral Palsy SA)
• Local social development services for respite care programs
• Special needs schools and therapy services
• Online caregiver communities for emotional support and advice