SASSA Care Dependency Grant is a special grant to the parents, primary caregiver or foster parents for a child who is suffering from severe disability and needs full time special care at home. This Grant is given from the time of birth until they reach an age of 18 years. However, for being eligible it is necessary that the doctor verified by the SASSA must confirm your disability status.
Eligibility Criteria For SASSA Care Dependency Grant:
- To qualify for the grant, you must be either a South African citizen, a recognized refugee, or hold permanent residency status.
- The child and parents must meet the means test criteria. However the means test is not mandatory for foster parents.
- Both child and guardian must reside in South Africa.
- You must be the legal guardian of the child, and the child must remain under your care.
- The child must be under 18 years of age.
- The child must need full time home care.
- For singles the annual income should not be more than R249 600 and for married the combined income should not surpass R49 200
SASSA means test for SASSA Care Dependency Grant:
SASSA employs a means test to assess the financial circumstances of applicants. This procedure aims to ensure that grants are allocated solely to deserving individuals and to prevent the misuse of national resources.
The means test is utilized to evaluate the income of the child, ensuring that only deserving children receive the grant, without considering the income of foster parents. The grant is specifically available to foster parents, biological parents, and primary caregivers whose child is experiencing severe disabilities and requires full-time care.
It’s essential to understand that each type of grant has its own specific criteria for the means test to determine financial eligibility.
Monthly amount of Care Dependency Grant:
SASSA offers a monthly stipend of R2,180. However, the agency conducts biannual reviews to ensure this amount adequately covers a child’s basic needs. If deemed insufficient, SASSA may adjust the amount to better meet the child’s requirements.
Cost for Applying for Care Dependency Grant:
Individuals interested in applying for a SASSA care dependency grant will be pleased to learn that there is no application fee. The application process is completely free of charge.
Required Documents For Applying Care Dependency Grant:
To apply for the SASSA care dependency grant, you will require the following documents:
1. Your 13-digit ID number or birth certificate.
2. An oath template downloaded from the SASSA SRD website, duly completed, and signed in the presence of a SASSA verified oath commissioner.
3. A medical certificate from a recognized medical officer confirming your condition, issued within the last three months.
4. A court decision establishing your legal parenthood of the foster child.
5. A signed sworn statement from a respected individual in your community (such as a counselor, trader, or school minister) verifying your name and age.
6. A medical report confirming the child’s disability and the need for ongoing care.
7. The child’s School Certificate (if available).
8. The child’s Road to Health certificate (if available).
9. The child’s Baptismal certificate (if available).
10. Proof of your current address.
11. Evidence of marital status, which may include a marriage certificate or divorce decree if separated from your spouse.
12. An ID issued by the South African Department of Home Affairs.
13. A temporary identity document issued by the department of home affairs.
Processing period for SASSA care dependency grant:
Typically, care dependency grant’s processing extend over a period of approximately three months. Once your application is approved, you will commence receiving the grant amount from the date of your initial application. Conversely, if your application is denied, SASSA will send you a notification or letter outlining the reasons for the rejection.
Status check for Care Dependency Grant:
To inquire about the status of your SASSA Care Dependency Grant application, you can use several options:
1. Visit the official SASSA SRD website.
2. Send an SMS to 082-046-8553.
3. Contact SASSA via WhatsApp at the number 082-046-8553.
4. Utilize the Moya App.
5. Call the SASSA Toll-Free number at 0800-60-1011.
These methods enable you to check whether your application has been approved or rejected and keep track of the status of your grant.
Balance check for SASSA Care Dependency Grant:
SASSA provides a convenient balance check service, enabling grant recipients to monitor their remaining funds and efficiently manage expenses. Once your SASSA grant is approved, you can easily check your balance using the following methods:
1. Visit the official SASSA website.
2. Call the SASSA Toll-Free number at 0800-60-1011.
3. Check at ATMs of participating banks.
4. Utilize the SASSA WhatsApp number at 082-046-8553.
5. Dial the USSD code *120*1320*# from the dial pad of your phone.
Payment method for care dependency grant:
Once your SASSA Care Dependency Grant is approved, payments will commence from the day you submitted your application. SASSA does not adhere to a fixed payment date each month, so it’s essential to regularly check the payment date by visiting the official website of SASSA SRD.
If you choose the bank account option, your payment will be transferred into your account on a specified date. Alternatively, if you opt for cash payment, you can withdraw your funds from designated retail outlets such as Usave, Checkers, Spars, and others.
Upon approval of your SASSA grant application, you will be presented with two payment options: receiving payments directly into your bank account or choosing the cash payment option.
Temporary Suspension of SASSA Care Dependency Grant:
The SASSA Disability Grant may temporarily lapse for various reasons:
1. Death of the grantee.
2. Failure to provide proof during SASSA’s annual review, resulting in discontinuation of the grant.
3. Failure to collect the grant for more than three consecutive months, leading to discontinuation of the SASSA disability grant.
4. Residing in or being admitted to a government-owned institution.
5. Absence from the country for more than 90 days.
6. Significant improvement in financial circumstances, rendering the grantee ineligible.
What to do if SASSA rejects your application for a care dependency grant?
If your grant application is declined and you believe the decision is incorrect, you have the option to request SASSA to review your application again. If this request is denied once more and you still disagree with SASSA’s decision, you retain the right to appeal to the Ministry of Social Development at the National Department of Social Development. It’s imperative to commence the appeal process within 90 days of receiving the notification.
The Ministry of Social Development will conduct a thorough examination of your appeal to render a decision. If they determine that there is merit in your case, they may overturn SASSA’s decision, enabling you to resume receiving your grant payments. However, if your appeal is unsuccessful, you will receive a written explanation for the decision.
Why is Grant Suspended?
The SASSA care dependency grant may be temporarily declined for several reasons:
- If the child passes away.
- If your financial situation improves to the extent that you no longer meet the eligibility criteria based on SASSA’s means test.
- Once the child reaches the age of 18.
- If the child relocates abroad.
- If the child begins residing in a state-funded institution.
- If the guardian fails to collect the grant for three consecutive months.
SASSA Care Dependency Review:
SASSA conducts periodic reviews of grant applications to assess any alterations in financial circumstances or ongoing eligibility according to means test criteria.
Approximately three months prior to the review date or the deadline for submitting your life certificate, SASSA will issue a notification.
If you receive your grant through a bank deposit or an intermediary, you are required to submit your life certificate to the SASSA office. Failure to comply may prompt a home visit from the SASSA team for verification.
Care Dependency Grant Restoration:
If your grant is suspended or discontinued, and you believe you are eligible for the SASSA care dependency grant, you have the right to appeal within 90 days of the grant’s suspension for its restoration.
Contact SASSA:
To contact SASSA regarding any queries or assistance with the SASSA SRD grant, you have several options:
- Call the Toll-Free number at SASSA’s call center: 0800 60 10 11.
- Contact SASSA’s Head office at: 012 400 2322.
- Write an email to [email protected] .
- Visit any SASSA office near you to resolve your query or obtain information.