SASSA Child Grant 2024: Who Qualifies, Understand New Amount & Application Process

In South Africa, the SASSA Child Support Grant (CSG) plays a important role in supporting low-income families. It is a lifeline for primary caregivers who are striving to provide for children under 18 in their care. 

Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or even a family head over 16 years old, the CSG is there to help you meet the basic needs of these children.

New Child Grant Amount 2024

From October 1, 2023, each eligible child under your care will receive a monthly grant of R510. And there’s more good news: from April 1, 2024, this amount is set to increase by R10 per child. That’s a bit more relief coming your way.

Since June 1, 2022, SASSA has been providing an additional top-up of R250 per month for each orphaned child under your care. This means, as of April 2023, if you’re caring for an orphaned child, you’ll receive a total of R750 per month for each child.

There’s a limit, though. You can receive the Child Support Grant for up to six children, regardless of whether you’re related by blood or law. It’s about ensuring that as many children as possible get the support they need.

Click Here to check your SASSSA Child Grant Status:

To ensure clarity and ease of understanding, let’s break down the eligibility criteria for the SASSA Child Support Grant (CSG) into key points, with additional explanations where needed.

Eligibility Criteria for the SASSA Child Support Grant 2024:

• Citizenship and Residency: Applicants must be South African citizens, recognized refugees, or permanent residents living in South Africa.
• Primary Caregiver: The grant is intended for the primary caregiver of the child. This includes parents, grandparents, or any individual over 16 years who is responsible for the child’s care.
• SASSA child grant age limit: Eligibility is specific to children under 18 years of age.
• State Care Exclusion: Children currently in state care are not eligible for the CSG.
• Identification Documents: A 13-digit bar-coded ID or a smart ID card is necessary for the application process. In cases where standard identification documents are not available, alternatives may be considered.
• Number of Kids: You can’t apply for more than six kids who aren’t your biological children.”

Financial Thresholds:

• For single applicants, the annual income should be below R61,200 as of October 1, 2023.
• For married applicants, the combined annual income must be less than R122,400.

Means Test:

The CSG involves a means test, which assesses the applicant’s financial situation. If you’re married, both you and your spouse have to meet the means test requirements.

Firstly, there’s no cost involved in applying for child support grant application, which is great news for families already managing tight budgets.

Apply for the SASSA Child Grant Online

To apply for a SASSA Child Support Grant online, follow these detailed steps:

Step 1: Access the SASSA Services Website

Visit the SASSA services website.

Step 2: Register as a New User

Click the yellow “Register” button on the homepage.

Agree to the “Client Registration Consent” by clicking the box “I agree” and then click “Apply.”

Complete the “Client Registration Form” with the following personal information and then click “Register Me”:

• Citizenship: South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee
• ID Number: Enter your ID number
• ID Document Type: Choose ID document or temporary ID
• Title: Select Mr, Mrs, or Miss
• Surname: Enter your surname
• Full Name: Enter your full name
• Email Address: Provide your email address
• Password: Choose a password (at least 8 characters with uppercase or lowercase letters, numbers, symbols, or special characters; avoid common words or names)
• Confirm Password: Re-enter your password
• Cellphone Number: Enter your 10-digit South African cellphone number starting with 0.

Step 3: Confirm Registration

• Click the button to receive a One-Time-Pin (OTP) sent to your cellphone number.
• Enter the 6-digit OTP from the “SASSA Registration OTP” message into the “Verification OTP” box and click “Verify” to confirm your registration.

Step 4: Log In

Log in to the SASSA services website using your username (your ID number) and password.

Step 5: Apply for the Grant

Click on “Apply for a Grant” and select “Child Support Grant” then click “Continue.”

Step 6: Complete the Personal Information Form

Fill in the grant personal information form with all the required information.

Step 7: Provide Financial Details

Provide details of your income, assets, or any contributions to mutual funds. Select “Yes” or “No” according to your current financial situation, then click “Next.”

Step 8: Upload Certified Supporting Documents

Upload certified copies of the following documents in PDF format:

• A copy of your ID document
• A copy of your spouse’s ID document (if applicable)
• Proof of marital status: marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Proof of banking details: letter from the bank with your banking details and name
• Proof of income (if applicable)
• SASSA-generated affidavit

By following these steps, you can successfully apply for the SASSA Child Support Grant online, ensuring that you provide all necessary information and documents for a smooth application process.

Apply for the SASSA Child Grant By Visiting Office

If you prefer a face-to-face interaction, you can apply in person at your nearest SASSA office.

If you’re unable to apply due to reasons such as illness, disability, or age, a trusted family member or friend can step in and apply on your behalf. 

To do this, they’ll need to provide a letter from you, explaining why you can’t apply yourself, along with a doctor’s note. This thoughtful consideration ensures that everyone who needs the grant has a way to apply.

During the process of SASSA application for child grant, whether you’re applying yourself or someone is doing it on your behalf, assistance is available at SASSA offices. The staff there can help fill out the forms and guide you through any confusing parts. 

After the application is submitted, an interview with a SASSA officer is conducted. This is an important part of the process, where the officer assesses the application to determine eligibility. 

Once this is completed, you or your representative will receive a dated stamped receipt. It’s crucial to keep this receipt safe as it serves as proof of your application ID.

Here’s what you need to know about the required documents and the processing time for your application.

SASSA Child Grant Document Requirements:

• Primary Documents: You’ll need the child’s original birth certificate that includes their ID number and your own 13-digit bar-coded ID.
• Alternate Documentation: In cases where you or the child doesn’t have an ID or birth certificate, SASSA provides an affidavit form. This needs to be filled out in front of an Oaths Commissioner who is independent of SASSA.
• Validation by a Trusted Community Member: If standard IDs are unavailable, a declaration verified by a respected person like a community counselor or religious leader is necessary.
• Home Affairs Documentation: If you’ve applied for an ID or birth certificate but haven’t received it yet, bring proof of this application from the Department of Home Affairs.
• Temporary Identity Document: If you have a temporary identity document issued by Home Affairs, make sure to bring it along.
• Additional Identity Proofs: If available, you can also provide supplementary documents such as a baptismal certificate, school certificate, or the child’s Road to Health Clinic card.
• Marital and Custody Proofs: Depending on your situation, you might need to provide a marriage certificate, divorce custody court order, or, in cases of deceased or missing parents, death certificates or missing person reports.
• Proof of Primary Caretaker Status: For non-biological parents, you’ll need to demonstrate your role as the primary caretaker. This might include a sworn statement, a letter from the child’s school, or written permission from the biological parent.
• Income Verification: To show your income sources, present documents like payslips, your UIF card, an employment leaving certificate, or pension receipts.
• Proof of Child’s Financial Support: Any evidence of financial support you’ve received or attempted to receive for the child should be included.

You can download your affidavit form here and read this guide if you want to know how to complete this form.

Processing Time:

The processing time for the child support grant application is typically about 3 months. In case of approval, the payments start from the date you submitted your application and are backdated accordingly. This ensures you don’t lose out on any funds during the processing period.

If your application is rejected, SASSA will provide a detailed explanation letter, offering clarity on the decision.

Once you’ve submitted your application for the Child Support Grant, it’s a good idea to regularly monitor its status. Staying updated helps you know exactly where your application stands and when you might start receiving the financial assistance. 

Thankfully, SASSA offers several user-friendly methods to check the status of your grant application:

• Online Status Check: You can visit the SASSA official website to check your application status.
• Moya App: For a data-free option, the Moya App is an excellent choice. It allows you to track your application status without worrying about consuming your mobile data.
• SMS Updates: If you’re more comfortable with simple text messages, sending an SMS to the SASSA number (082-046-8553) is a quick and easy way to receive updates.
• WhatsApp Convenience: WhatsApp is a widely used messaging service, and SASSA leverages this platform for grant status updates. By messaging the same number (082-046-8553), you can easily get updates in a familiar chat interface.
• Toll-Free Helpline: For those who require more detailed assistance or have specific queries, SASSA’s toll-free number (0800-601011) is the best option.

Let’s talk about what happens if your SASSA Child Grant application is declined and how the payment process works, including checking your grant balance. I’ll break it down so it’s easy to understand, ensuring you have all the information you need.

Dealing with Application Rejection:

If SASSA turns down your Child Grant application, don’t worry, you still have options. First, you can ask SASSA to reconsider their decision. If they still say no, you have the right to appeal to the Ministry of Social Development. 

You need to do this within 90 days of the rejection. The Ministry will review your case and can either overturn SASSA’s decision or explain in writing why they agree with it.

Understanding the Payment Process:

Once your application for the Child Grant is approved, the payments will start from the date you initially applied. SASSA releases a schedule for these monthly payments, but the dates are not fixed, so it’s good to stay informed.

Nomination for Collection:

If you’re unable to collect the grant yourself, maybe due to disability or other reasons, you can nominate someone else to collect it for you.

Checking your grant balance is important for managing your finances effectively. SASSA offers a balance check service, which you can access in several ways:

• USSD Code: Dial 1203210# for a quick balance check.
• ATMs: You can also check your balance at ATMs.
• WhatsApp and Toll-Free Calls: For more detailed information or assistance, you can use SASSA’s WhatsApp service or call their toll-free number.

It’s important to know that there might be service charges, especially for direct bank deposits, so keep that in mind.

Regular Grant Reviews by SASSA:

SASSA conducts regular reviews of the Child Support Grants. These reviews are essential to confirm that the beneficiaries still meet the eligibility criteria. They assess factors like income and living circumstances that you declared during your application. 

Remember, it’s vital to keep SASSA updated about any changes in your or the child’s situation, as this helps in conducting accurate reviews.

Notification and Life Certificate Submission:

You’ll receive a written notice from SASSA before a review is conducted. This notice will tell you when and where the review will take place. If you’re receiving the grant through a bank or an agent, you must submit the child’s life certificate annually.

This certificate is a crucial document confirming the child’s existence and your ongoing role as their primary caregiver.

Special Provisions:

For caregivers who are bedridden and unable to attend the review, SASSA will make home visits. This ensures that everyone has fair access to these reviews, regardless of their physical condition. Additionally, for refugee applicants, grant reviews are aligned with the expiry of their refugee status.

What Could Cause Suspension of the Grant?

Several circumstances can lead to the suspension of your Child Support Grant:

• Changed Circumstances: Significant alterations in your financial status or living conditions can trigger a grant suspension.
• Fraudulent Information: Providing false information can lead to immediate suspension.
• Non-cooperation During Reviews: Failure to participate or cooperate during grant reviews might result in suspension.
• Mistaken Approval: If the grant was initially approved by mistake, it could be suspended upon discovery.

Conditions Leading to Grant Lapse:

The Child Support Grant may lapse under certain conditions:

• The child’s death will naturally end the grant.
• If the grant isn’t collected for three consecutive months, it may lapse.
• The grant ceases if the child is admitted to state care.
• Staying outside the country for an extended period without notifying SASSA.
• The grant typically ends when the child turns 18 unless specific exceptions apply.

Financial Improvement and Grant Reduction:

An improvement in your financial situation could render you ineligible as per the means test, leading to the grant’s termination. If you’re admitted to a state institution for over four months, the grant amount reduces to 25% of the total. However, it will be reinstated to the full amount immediately upon discharge.

After a review, SASSA issues a compliance receipt, confirming that you’ve completed the review process. This document is important as it serves as official evidence of your compliance with the review requirements.