SASSA Childrens Grant 2024: Eligibility, Criteria and Payments

In this era of inflation, taking care of a child is very expensive. So, the government of South Africa decided to help the families by providing them financial support for better growth of children. They aim to assist lower-income households in covering the basic needs of their children.

Some common arising questions like How much is the Sassa childrens grant support in South Africa? Keeping informed about potential increases and staying updated through official SASSA channels is recommended for all current and prospective grant recipients.

What’s the SASSA childrens support grant?

The child support grant is a payment program of the South African government to lower-income households. This grant helps parents with the costs of the basic needs of their child. The grant isn’t meant to replace other income but is intended to bridge the gap in the cost of living.

Types of SASSA Grants for Children

In South Africa, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) provides essential support to children through two grant programs. These grants aim to ensure that children have access to necessities.

01. Child Support Grant

The Child Support Grant is one of the most common SASSA grants for children. This grant aims to support families living in poverty and improve the well-being of children by giving them basic needs. If you are a biological parent of a child, and unable to fulfill their basic needs, then you can apply for the child support grant. It provides financial support to families with children under the age of 18.

Eligibility Criteria for SASSA Child Support Grant

If you’re the guardian of a child (a parent, grandparent, or anyone who’s mainly responsible for looking after the child) To be eligible for a grant, you must meet the requirements listed below in charge of taking care of a kid. Keep it in note that if in case you are not the parent of the child, then you need to provide evidence that you are the main caretaker of the child.

Eligibility Criteria for Child Grant Application

The eligibility criteria for applicants before applying for application is an important step. You need to check whether you are eligible for the application:

Applicants should be a child’s primary guardian. It includes parents and grandparents.
They must be Citizens in South African society. Citizenship is also compulsory for both applicants.
If your earnings are less than R 52 800 then you are eligible for the child grant. This is for the situation if you are single. And if you are married then the combined income of both spouses as an applicant should be less than R1 05600 per year. Then you are eligible for the grant of the children.
You cannot apply for the grant for more than 6 children. This is only for those who are not biological parents or have not adopted the children legally. Otherwise, you can get the grant for more than 6 children, if you are the biological parent or have adopted the children legally.

Who Qualifies for Sassa Child Grant?

Few citizens can also ask who is eligible to receive a child grant. The child who wants to apply for the Sassa loans must understand the following criteria

The child must be a Citizen of South Africa. Citizenship is compulsory for getting any grant.
The age of the child you are applying for the grant should be less than 17 years.
He should be living with the guardian who is applying for the grant.

02. Foster Child Grant

The Foster Child Grant is designed to support foster parents provide care to children who are not their biological children. Like Orphaned, Abandoned, Abused, Dumped, or the children. This grant assists in covering the costs associated with caring for foster children, including food, clothing, education, and healthcare expenses. This grant is also for the children reaches 18 years, but

If the child didn’t complete their high school. The government provides them the grant until they turn 21.

Eligibility Criteria for SASSA Foster Child Grant

The child who wants to apply for a loan must follow the given steps:

Foster parents must have the court orders about the custody of the child.
They should be concerned about the early needs of their child.
The foster parents must be citizens of South Africa.
Their financial statements and proofs are also required.
A child’s birth certificate will be required. If the ID or birth certificate is unavailable, SASSA will perform any other alternate identification process.
The foster child must be below the age of 18.
The foster child must not receive any other social help programs.
The foster child must meet the requirements of the means test.

SASSA Means Test for Foster Child Support Grant Application

The means test for the Foster Child Grant is administered by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA). It evaluates the financial condition of the foster parents applying for the grant. This test assesses the income of the household to ensure if they are eligible for receiving the grant. The means test considers factors such as the total household income, including wages, government benefits, and other sources of financial support. Additionally, it takes into account any assets owned by the household, such as property or investments.

Important documents needed for application

Your national ID card.
National ID card of your partner, if you are married.
Marriage certificate if you are married.
Divorce order: if divorced
The birth certificate of your child.
Description of any other grant your child is getting.
Proof of financial income like salary, bank statements, and documents related to government pension.
If you have no job then you have to provide the unemployment insurance fund.
Court order of custody, if the child is your biological child and there is a case of divorce or separation with your spouse.
Death certificate of the parents if the parents of the child are dead
Proof of certificates of the parent in case any of them is missing

How to apply for the SASSA Childrens Grant

You can apply for Sassa childrens grant online or visit their office as well.

By the SASSA office

If you are comfortable visit their office.

Visiting your nearest SASSA office can provide direct terms and conditions.
Make sure you have relevant identification documents, such as your ID book or card.
Fill out an application for the child support grant at the counter service point of a regional office or the closest SASSA Office.
SASSA officials can provide up-to-date information and help resolve any issues regarding your grant status.

By Online Website

If you want to apply online you can follow these steps

Visit the official SASSA website.
Once on the SASSA website, search for the section related to grants or social assistance programs.
Look for information specifically about the Children’s Grants for which you want to apply.
Before proceeding with the application, carefully review the eligibility criteria for the Children’s Grant. Ensure that you meet all the requirements to qualify for the grant.
Some online application systems may require you to create an account. Follow the instructions to register and set up your account with a username and password.
Fill out all required sections completely. If you need to provide personal information about yourself and your child, as well as details about your income and household circumstances, put them carefully.
You may be required to upload supporting documentation to verify your eligibility for the grant. This could include identification documents, proof of income, and birth certificates for your children. Make sure to have these documents prepared in digital format before applying.
Once you have filled out the application form and uploaded all necessary documents, you must carefully review the information to ensure accuracy and then submit your application.
After submitting your application, you should receive a confirmation message or email confirming receipt of your application. Keep this confirmation for your records.
If you encounter any issues or do not see updated information, it’s advisable to contact SASSA directly.

Processing Duration for SASSA Child Grant Applications

The processing time for the application of the SASSA Childrens Grant depends on several factors. It includes the volume of applications they received, the completeness of the application, and the efficiency of the processing system at the SASSA office handling the application.

Applicants can inquire about the status of their application by contacting their local SASSA office or checking online if available. SASSA may also provide estimated processing times to give applicants an idea of when they can expect a decision on their application. It normally takes about 3 months to process applications and after approval, your payments will start.

Application Rejection Reasons

Sassa will reject your application on these conditions

If the application form you’ve submitted is not filled out completely or contains inappropriate information, SASSA may cancel the application.
If the applicant does not meet eligibility criteria your application may be cancelled.
If you are taking care of a child get paid for it. Sassa may reject your application.
If Sassa thinks of you as not the primary guardian of the child. Your application will be canceled.
If someone is already getting paid for that child your application will be rejected.

Contact SASSA (South African Social Security Agency)

If you have queries and want to get answers then you can contact the Sassa team. Here are the contact details of the Sassa team, you can also visit the Sassa Office and get your answers as well.

Head Office: 012 400 2322

Toll-Free Call Center: 0800 60 10 11

SASSA Whatsapp Number: 082 046 8553

Official Website: https://srd.Sassa.gov.za/

Email Address: [email protected]

Conclusion

In Conclusion, the SASSA Childrens Grant is a crucial lifeline for many families in South Africa, especially those facing financial hardships in providing for their children. This program, initiated by the government, aims to bridge the gap in the cost of living for lower-income households, assisting parents and guardians in meeting the basic needs of their children. By offering financial support, the Children’s Grant contributes to the overall well-being and growth of children, ensuring they have access to education, healthcare, and other necessities.

FAQs

People ask how much a child grant is or how much a Sassa grant is per child. The SASSA child grant amount for 2024 is R460 per child per month. This grant helps lower-income households cover the basic needs of their children, including education and healthcare expenses.

The amount may be subject to periodic adjustments based on government policies and economic factors. So, after understanding the answer now you have an answer of how much is grant for a child.

SASSA payments for children typically occur on the first day of each month. This regular payment schedule ensures that caregivers receive timely financial support to meet the needs of their children. Recipients need to stay informed about any changes in payment dates through official SASSA channels.

As of now, the SASSA payment amount varies depending on the specific grant. For the Child Support Grant, the payment is R460 per child per month. However, other grants may have different payment amounts, such as the Older Person’s Grant or Disability Grant.

To check your SASSA Childrens Grant status, you can visit the official SASSA website and log into your account. Alternatively, you can contact SASSA directly via their helpline or visit an SASSA office in person. Make sure to have relevant identification and documentation ready for verification.

Applying for the SASSA foster child grant is free of cost, and there is not any kind of service fee.