Foster Child Grant

The Foster Child Grant is a financial support program provided by the South African government to help caregivers of foster children. This grant is intended to assist with the costs of raising a child who has been legally placed in foster care by a court. Eligible caregivers receive R1,180 per month for each foster child in their care. To qualify, individuals must meet the below criteria. If you’re already receiving a grant, you can easily check your foster grant status on our website.

What Is a Foster Child?

A foster child is a child who has been placed in your care by a court order. This usually happens because the child is:

• Orphaned (their parents have passed away).
• Abandoned (they have been left without care).
• At risk (they are in danger and need protection).
• Abused (they have been mistreated).
• Neglected (they have not been properly cared for).

Eligibility Criteria For the Foster Child Grant?

To qualify for the grant, you need to meet a few important criteria:

• You must be a South African citizen, a permanent resident, or a refugee.
• You and the child must live in South Africa.
• The child must be legally placed in your care by a court.
• The child must be under 18 years old.

How to Apply

To apply for the grant:

• Form: You can take the application form for Free at your nearest SASSA office. Unfortunately, it is not available online.
• Your ID: A 13-digit bar-coded ID.
• Child’s Birth Certificate: The birth certificate of the foster child.
• Court Order: The document that placed the child in your custody.
• Additional Documents: Depending on your situation, you might need to provide proof of marriage, refugee status, or other relevant documents.
• Processing Time: Your application can take up to three months. If approved, payments will start from the date the court placed the child in your care.

No ID or Birth Certificate?
If you don’t have an ID or the child’s birth certificate, SASSA can still help you apply. You will need to fill out an affidavit in front of a Commissioner of Oaths, and bring a sworn statement from someone who knows you and the child, like a social worker or school principal. SASSA will also take your fingerprints and guide you through the process of applying for an ID. However, if you don’t eventually get an ID, your grant may be suspended.

How Much Is the Grant Amount?

The grant provides R1,180 per month for each child in your care. This money is intended to help cover the costs of raising the child.

How Do You Receive the Grant?

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) handles the payment of the grant. You can choose one of the following methods to receive your money:

• Cash: Collect the money at a designated pay point on a specific day.
• Bank Transfer: Have the money deposited directly into your bank or Postbank account. (Note: Your bank might charge a fee for this service.)
• Administrator Payment: If a welfare organization manages the grant for you, they will handle the payment.

Tip: If you can’t collect the money yourself, you can authorize someone else to do it on your behalf by giving them power of attorney or appointing a procurator at a SASSA office.

When Will Your Grant Be Reviewed?

It is typically reviewed every two years, depending on the court order. SASSA will notify you three months before the review date.

If you receive the grant through a bank or another administrator, you will need to submit a life certificate once a year to prove that you are still alive.

What Can Cause the Grant to Be Suspended?

Your grant might be suspended if:

• There is a change in your circumstances that affects your eligibility.
• The outcome of a review shows you no longer qualify.
• You don’t cooperate during the review process.
• Fraud or misrepresentation is detected.
• There was an error when your grant was initially approved.

When Will the Grant End?

The grant will automatically stop if:

• The child or the last foster parent passes away.
• The child is placed in a state institution.
• The grant is not claimed for three months in a row.
• You leave South Africa.
• The child is no longer under your care.
• Your refugee status changes.

What If Your Application Is Denied?

If SASSA rejects your application, they will explain the reasons in writing. If you believe the decision is wrong, you can appeal for a declined SASSA SRD Grant to the Minister of Social Development within 90 days of receiving the notification.

FAQs