Complete Guide to Foster Care & Care Dependency Grants 2026

Understanding Special Care Grants from SASSA

SASSA (South African Social Security Agency) provides specialized grants for children who require additional care and support. This comprehensive guide covers two important grants: the Foster Care Grant for children in foster care, and the Care Dependency Grant for children with severe disabilities. These grants recognize the extra financial burden faced by caregivers who provide essential care to vulnerable children.

Whether you're a foster parent, kinship caregiver, or parent of a child with severe disability, understanding these grants can provide crucial financial support while you care for children who need special attention.

Overview: Foster Care Grant vs Care Dependency Grant

Aspect	Foster Care Grant	Care Dependency Grant
Amount (2026)	R1,180 per month	R2,190 per month
Purpose	Support for foster children	Support for children with severe disabilities
Age Limit	Under 18 years (can extend to 21 in certain cases)	Under 18 years
Main Requirement	Court-ordered foster care placement	Child requires permanent, full-time care due to severe disability
Means Test	No (foster parent's income not considered)	Yes (caregiver's income assessed)
Renewal	Every 2 years with court order renewal	Annual medical reassessment may be required

Part 1: Foster Care Grant Detailed Guide

What is the Foster Care Grant?

The Foster Care Grant is financial support provided to foster parents who have legally fostered a child through a court order. The grant helps cover the costs of caring for a child who cannot live with their biological parents.

Foster Care Grant Amount 2026

The Foster Care Grant is R1,180 per child per month in 2026. This amount is reviewed annually and adjusted for inflation by the Minister of Social Development.

Foster Care Grant Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the foster care grant, you must meet these criteria:

Foster Parent Requirements

• Be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee
• Live in South Africa
• Have a valid court order declaring you the foster parent
• Be appointed by a social worker and confirmed by court
• Not be receiving any other grant for the same child (except in specific cases)
• Court order must be current and not expired

Foster Child Requirements

• Must be under 18 years of age (can be extended to 21 if still in school or has disability)
• Must be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee
• Must live in South Africa
• Must be in your foster care as per court order
• Cannot be cared for in a government-funded institution

Important Note: No Means Test

Unlike many other grants, the Foster Care Grant does NOT have a means test. Your income is not considered when determining eligibility. The primary requirement is a valid foster care court order.

How to Obtain Foster Care Status

Before applying for the grant, you must legally become a foster parent:

1. Contact Social Services
   • Contact your provincial Department of Social Development
   • Or approach an accredited Child Protection Organization
   • Explain your situation and desire to foster
2. Social Worker Assessment
   • Social worker conducts home visit and assessment
   • Your suitability as foster parent is evaluated
   • Home environment checked for safety
   • Background checks conducted
   • Assessment report prepared
3. Court Application
   • Social worker submits application to Children's Court
   • Court hearing scheduled
   • You may need to attend hearing
   • Judge reviews social worker's report
4. Court Order Issued
   • If approved, court issues foster care order
   • Order specifies you as foster parent
   • Order valid for 2 years (renewable)
   • Keep original court order safe

How to Apply for Foster Care Grant

Once you have a valid court order:

Step 1: Gather Required Documents

• Your documents:
  • Original ID document or smart ID card
  • Proof of residence
  • Bank account details (if you have account)
• Foster child's documents:
  • Original birth certificate (unabridged)
  • ID document if 16+ years old
  • School attendance letter (if school-going)
  • Clinic card or medical records
• Legal documents:
  • Original court order appointing you as foster parent
  • Social worker's report (if available)

Step 2: Visit SASSA Office

1. Go to your nearest SASSA local office
2. Take a queue number
3. Inform official you're applying for Foster Care Grant
4. Bring all required documents

Step 3: Complete Application

• Complete Foster Care Grant application form
• SASSA official will assist you
• Provide all required information
• Submit supporting documents
• Undergo biometric registration (fingerprints, photo)

Step 4: Processing and Approval

• SASSA verifies your documents and court order
• Processing typically takes 3 months
• You can check status by calling SASSA or visiting office
• Once approved, you receive backpay from application date

Foster Care Grant Renewal

The Foster Care Grant requires renewal every 2 years when your court order expires:

1. Renew Court Order First
   • Contact your social worker 3-4 months before court order expires
   • Social worker conducts reassessment
   • Court hearing scheduled for renewal
   • New court order issued if approved
2. Renew SASSA Grant
   • Visit SASSA office with renewed court order
   • Bring foster child's updated documents
   • Complete renewal forms
   • Grant continues without interruption if renewed on time

Important Renewal Tips

• Don't wait until court order expires; start renewal process early
• If court order expires, grant payments stop
• You cannot receive backpay for period without valid court order
• Keep SASSA informed of court proceedings

Foster Care Grant for Multiple Children

• You can foster and receive grants for multiple children
• Each child requires separate court order
• Each child requires separate SASSA application
• You receive R1,180 per child fostered
• No limit on number of foster children (subject to social worker approval)

When Foster Care Grant Ends

The grant terminates when:

• Foster child turns 18 (unless extended to 21)
• Court order expires and is not renewed
• Foster care placement ends
• Child is adopted
• Foster child passes away
• Foster child moves out of your care
• You no longer meet requirements

Extension to Age 21

Foster care can be extended beyond age 18 to 21 if:

• Foster child still in school or tertiary education
• Foster child has disability requiring continued care
• Court approves extension
• Social worker supports extension

Part 2: Care Dependency Grant Detailed Guide

What is the Care Dependency Grant?

The Care Dependency Grant is for parents or primary caregivers of children with severe disabilities who require permanent care and support. It recognizes the additional costs and caregiving burden associated with caring for a child with severe disability.

Care Dependency Grant Amount 2026

The Care Dependency Grant is R2,190 per child per month in 2026. This is significantly higher than the Child Support Grant (R530) because of the intensive care required.

Care Dependency Grant Eligibility Requirements

Child Requirements

• Must be between 1 and 18 years of age
• Must be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee
• Must live in South Africa
• Must have severe physical or mental disability
• Disability must require permanent, full-time care
• Must require care from another person to perform daily activities
• Cannot be cared for in state institution

Caregiver Requirements

• Must be the primary caregiver (parent, guardian, or foster parent)
• Must be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee
• Must pass means test (income assessment)
• Single caregiver: Annual income max R286,800 (R23,900/month)
• Married couple: Combined annual income max R573,600 (R47,800/month)
• Cannot be receiving Child Support Grant for same child (CDG replaces CSG)

Qualifying Disabilities

Severe disabilities that may qualify include:

• Physical disabilities:
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Severe mobility impairments
  • Quadriplegia or paraplegia
  • Severe muscular disorders
  • Severe epilepsy
  • Blindness or severe visual impairment
  • Deafness combined with other disabilities
• Mental/Intellectual disabilities:
  • Severe intellectual disability
  • Down syndrome with significant care needs
  • Autism with severe functional limitations
  • Severe developmental delays
  • Brain injury with permanent disability
• Medical conditions:
  • HIV/AIDS with severe complications requiring full-time care
  • Severe genetic disorders
  • Terminal illness requiring palliative care
  • Multiple severe conditions combined

How to Apply for Care Dependency Grant

Step 1: Medical Assessment

Before applying, obtain medical documentation:

1. Visit your child's doctor or specialist
2. Request detailed medical report on disability
3. Get assessment of care needs
4. Obtain any specialist reports (neurologist, pediatrician, etc.)
5. Collect hospital records if applicable
6. Request medical opinion on permanence of disability

Step 2: Gather Required Documents

• Your documents:
  • Original ID document
  • Proof of residence
  • Proof of income (payslips, UIF, or unemployment affidavit)
  • Bank statements (3 months)
  • Marriage certificate (if married)
  • Spouse's ID and income documents
• Child's documents:
  • Birth certificate (unabridged)
  • Clinic card/Road to Health booklet
  • School letter (if school-going)
• Medical documents:
  • Medical reports from doctors
  • Specialist assessments
  • Hospital discharge summaries
  • Medication lists
  • Therapy reports (occupational therapy, physiotherapy, etc.)

Step 3: Visit SASSA Office

1. Go to nearest SASSA office with child (if possible)
2. Take queue number
3. Inform official you're applying for Care Dependency Grant
4. Bring all documentation

Step 4: Complete Application

• Complete Care Dependency Grant application form
• Provide detailed information about child's disability and care needs
• Submit all medical documentation
• Undergo biometric registration
• Declare income and assets accurately

Step 5: Medical Assessment by SASSA

• SASSA may arrange for child to be assessed by SASSA-appointed medical officer
• You'll receive appointment notification
• Bring child and all medical documents
• Medical officer evaluates severity of disability and care needs
• Assessment determines eligibility

Step 6: Wait for Outcome

• Processing typically takes 3-6 months
• SASSA verifies medical assessment and means test
• Check status by calling SASSA or visiting office
• If approved, receive backpay from application date

Care Dependency Grant Reassessment

Periodic reassessment may be required:

• Temporary disability: If condition may improve, reassessment required annually
• Permanent disability: Less frequent reassessment, but SASSA may still request
• Child's development: As child grows, needs may change
• Means test review: Income reassessed periodically

Reassessment Process

1. SASSA notifies you when reassessment is due
2. Gather updated medical reports
3. Visit SASSA office with updated documents
4. Child may need medical assessment again
5. Verify income still within limits
6. Grant continues if child still qualifies

Care Dependency Grant Termination

The grant ends when:

• Child turns 18 years old
• Child no longer requires full-time care (significant improvement)
• Child is placed in state institution
• Child passes away
• Caregiver's income exceeds threshold
• Child starts receiving another grant (e.g., Disability Grant at 18)
• Fraud discovered

Transitioning at Age 18

When child with disability turns 18:

• Care Dependency Grant automatically ends
• Child may qualify for Disability Grant if disability continues
• Apply for Disability Grant before 18th birthday
• Disability Grant amount is same (R2,190 in 2026)
• Different eligibility criteria apply (means test on child's income)

Comparing with Child Support Grant

Important considerations when choosing between grants:

Factor	Child Support Grant	Care Dependency Grant
Amount	R530/month	R2,190/month
Eligibility	Any child under 18	Child with severe disability only
Income Limit (Single)	R58,800/year	R286,800/year
Application	Simpler, faster process	Complex, medical assessment required
Can receive both?	No - must choose one	No - CDG replaces CSG

Which to choose? If your child has severe disability requiring full-time care, apply for Care Dependency Grant as it's much higher. If application is declined, you'll still receive Child Support Grant.

Payment Information for Both Grants

SASSA Payment Dates

Both Foster Care Grant and Care Dependency Grant follow the Child Support Grant payment schedule:

• Typically paid 5th-7th of each month
• Check official sassa payment dates for specific month
• If payment date falls on weekend/holiday, paid last working day before

Payment Methods

Both grants can be received via:

• Direct bank deposit (recommended)
• Cash at retail stores (Pick n Pay, Boxer, Shoprite, etc.)
• Post office collection
• SASSA card at ATMs

Additional Support: Grant-in-Aid

If you receive Foster Care Grant or Care Dependency Grant and the child requires full-time attendance by another person, you may also qualify for:

Grant-in-Aid

• Amount: Additional R530/month (2026)
• Purpose: Help pay for full-time attendant/caregiver
• Eligibility: Child requires constant care from another person
• Application: Apply at SASSA office with medical proof of need
• Payment: Paid in addition to main grant

Common Challenges and Solutions

Challenge: Court Order Renewal Delays (Foster Care)

Solution:

• Contact social worker 4-6 months before expiry
• Follow up regularly on court hearing dates
• If grant stops due to expired order, reactivate once renewed

Challenge: Medical Assessment Delays (Care Dependency)

Solution:

• Provide comprehensive medical documentation with application
• Follow up with SASSA on assessment appointment
• Prepare child well for assessment day

Challenge: Application Declined

Solution:

• Request written reason for decline
• Gather additional supporting documents
• Lodge sassa appeal within 90 days
• Seek help from social worker or legal aid

Resources and Support

• Social Workers: Contact provincial Department of Social Development
• Child Protection Organizations: Accredited NGOs can assist with foster care
• Disability Organizations: Organizations like Disabled Children's Action Group can provide guidance
• Legal Aid: 0800 110 110 for legal assistance
• SASSA: 0800 60 10 11 for grant queries

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I receive both Foster Care Grant and Care Dependency Grant for the same child?

No. If you're a foster parent of a child with severe disability, you receive the Foster Care Grant (R1,180). However, you may be able to apply for Grant-in-Aid (additional R530) if the child requires full-time care.

Does my income affect Foster Care Grant?

No, Foster Care Grant has no means test. Your income is not considered. The main requirement is a valid court order.

Can biological parents apply for Care Dependency Grant?

Yes, biological parents are primary applicants for Care Dependency Grant if they're the primary caregivers and meet income requirements.

What happens to Foster Care Grant when court order expires?

Grant payments stop when court order expires. You must renew the court order and update SASSA to resume payments. No backpay for period without valid court order.

Can I work while receiving Care Dependency Grant?

Yes, as long as your income stays within the means test limits (R23,900/month for single caregiver or R47,800/month combined for married couple).

How often must Care Dependency Grant be renewed?

It depends on whether disability is temporary or permanent. Temporary conditions require annual reassessment. Permanent conditions may have longer intervals, but SASSA can request reassessment anytime.

Can grandparents apply for these grants?

Yes. Grandparents can become foster parents (requires court order and social worker assessment) or apply for Care Dependency Grant if they're the primary caregiver of a child with severe disability.

What if my Care Dependency Grant application is declined?

You can appeal the decision with additional medical evidence. If ultimately declined, you can still receive the Child Support Grant (R530) if you meet those criteria.

How do I check my grant payment status?

Call SASSA at 0800 60 10 11, visit your local SASSA office, or check your bank statement on sassa payment dates.

Can foster care be extended past age 18?

Yes, if the foster child is still in school or has a disability, foster care and the grant can be extended to age 21 with court approval.