SASSA Child Support Grant provides to children who are under 18 years. This Grant is given to his parents, grandparent or any member of his family who is the head of the family his/her age is more than 16 years.

The Child Support Grant is designed to assist low-income households by providing financial aid to parents or the primary caregiver of the child. Its purpose is to aid families in closing the financial disparity between their income and the costs linked to child-rearing, without substituting other income sources. Eligible primary caregivers can receive a maximum of 6 Child Support Grants for the children in their care, irrespective of legal or biological relationships.

SASSA Child Support Grant

In order to qualify for a SASSA child support grant, individuals must fulfil the following criteria:

Citizenship: Applicants must be citizens of South Africa or recognized refugees with permanent residence in South Africa.

Residency: Applicants must be living with their child in South Africa.

Caregiver Status: Applicants must be the primary caregiver of the child, which includes parents, grandparents, or the head of the family who is over 16 years old.

Child’s Age: The child for whom the grant is sought must be under the age of 18.

Residence: Applicants should not be residing in any state-funded institution.

Identification: Applicants must possess a 13-digit ID number or a smart card. However, if neither is available, individuals can still apply for the grant.

Social Grants: Individuals should not be receiving any other social grant.

Means Test: Applicants must comply with the means test requirements.

The SASSA means test is a method employed by SASSA to assess the income, assets, and other financial circumstances of applicants who have applied for a child support grant. Its purpose is to ensure that the grant is allocated only to those who truly need it. The means test involves two thresholds:

  • For a single individual, the annual income should not exceed R6000.
  • For a married individual and their spouse combined, the annual income should not exceed R12000.

It’s important to note that the criteria for means test assessment may vary for each application.

If Someone is willing to apply for a SASSA grant for child support then he/she will be glad to know that there is no application fee. It’s totally free to apply.

Following documents are will be needed while applying for SASSA child support grant:

To apply for the SASSA child support grant, you will need the following documents:

  • Your 13-digit ID number or birth certificate
  • A signed sworn statement from a reputable individual in your community (such as a counsellor, trader, or school minister) verifying your name and age.
  • An oath template downloaded from the SASSA SRD website, properly filled out, and signed in the presence of a SASSA verified oath commissioner.
  • A medical certificate from a recognized medical officer attesting to your condition, dated within the last three months.
  • School Certificate of child.
  • Road to health certificate if available.
  • An ID issued by the South Africa Department of Home Affairs.
  • Evidence of marital status, which may include a marriage certificate or divorce decree if separated from your spouse.
  • Temporary identity document issued by the department of home affairs.
  • Proof of your current address.

Once you’ve applied for the SASSA child support grant, it’s crucial to stay updated on the status of your application. You can verify whether your application has been approved or declined using the following methods:

  • Visiting the official SASSA SRD website.
  • Using the Moya App.
  • Contact via WhatsApp at the number 082-046-8553.
  • Calling the SASSA Toll-Free number at 0800-60-1011.
  • Sending an SMS to 082-046-8553.

Typically, SASSA takes around three months to process your application. If your application is approved, you will begin receiving the grant amount from the date you initially applied. However, if your application is rejected, you will receive a notice or letter from SASSA explaining the reasons for the rejection.

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 have the right to appeal to the Ministry of Social Development at the National Department of Social Development. It’s crucial to initiate the appeal process within 90 days of receiving the notification.

The Ministry of Social Development will thoroughly examine your appeal to make a decision. If they find merit in your case, they may overturn SASSA’s decision, allowing you to resume receiving your grant payments. However, if your appeal is unsuccessful, you will receive a written explanation for the decision.

The SASSA child support grant may be temporarily declined for various reasons:

  • If the child dies.
  • If your financial condition is improved to an extent that you are no more eligible for gant according to SASSA’s means test.
  • Once the child has reached an age of 18 years.
  • If the child has moved abroad.
  • If the child has started living in any state funded residence
  • The guardian has not collected the grant for three continuous months.

Note that your grant will be decreased up to 25% if the child has been living in a state funded building for more than 4 months.

Once your SASSA grant is approved, SASSA will start disbursing payments from the day you applied. SASSA doesn’t have a fixed date for payment each month, so it’s important to regularly check the payment date by visiting the official website of SASSA SRD.

Upon approval of your SASSA grant application, you will be given two payment options. You can either choose to receive payments directly into your bank account or opt for cash payment.

If you choose the bank account option, your payment will be deposited 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, etc.

The SASSA grant can be suspended for various reasons, including:

  • Improved Financial Situation: If your financial circumstances have improved beyond the eligibility criteria.
  • Invalid or Fake Information: If any personal details provided in your application are found to be invalid or falsified.
  • Grant Error: If the grant was approved by SASSA due to any administrative mistake or error.
  • Review Outcome: Suspension may occur as a result of a routine review of your eligibility.
  • Non-Cooperation: If you fail to cooperate during the review process of your application.

SASSA conducts periodic reviews of applications to assess whether there have been any changes in your financial status or if you still meet the means test criteria or not. 

You will receive a notice from SASSA three months prior to the date when your application will have to be reviewed or the deadline date to submit your life certificate.

In case you receive a grant through a bank account or through your agent you will need to submit your life certificate to the SASSA office. In case you fail to do so, the SASSA team will visit your home for confirmation.

SASSA provides a convenient balance check service, enabling grantees to monitor their remaining funds and manage expenses effectively. Once your SASSA grant is approved, you can effortlessly check your balance through the following methods:

  1. Visit the official SASSA website.
  2. Call the SASSA Toll-Free number at 0800-60-1011.
  3. Use the SASSA WhatsApp number at 082-046-8553.
  4. Check at ATMs of participating banks.
  5. Dial the USSD code *120*1320*# from the dial pad of your phone.

If your grant is suspended or discontinued and you think that you are eligible for SASSA child support grant then you own the right to appeal within 90 days of suspension of grant  for the restoration of grant.

If you have any query or need any assistance regarding SASSA SRD grant than you can make contact with them through:

  • You can call a Toll Free number at SASSA’s call center : 0800 60 10 11
  • You can call SASSA’s Head office: 012 400 2322
  • SASSA has offices across the country so you can visit any SASSA office near you to solve your query or get any information.
  • Writing an email to Email : [email protected]