How to APPLY for a SASSA child grant

If you have children are are suffering from financial distress you can apply for a SASSA child grant. That’s correct, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is empowered by government to issue children’s grants to qualifying individuals who are undergoing financial stress.

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To ease the burden of parenting, you can apply for a child grant, to help meet the primary needs of your children. SASSA reminds applicants though, that the grant is only there to supplement income and should not be the only source of income. To avoid fraud and misuse, there are certain requirements you must meet to apply for a SASSA child grant. We will detail those now …

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APPLY FOR A SASSA CHILD GRANT

For you to apply for a SASSA child grant, in this instance, the Social Security Agency defines a child as anyone below 18-years of age. Therefore, you can apply for SASSA child grant if you are the primary caregiver. This includes a parent, relative or grandparent of a child. But there are additional requirements …

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To apply for a SASSA child grant you must have permanent residency in South Africa or be a South African citizen. If you are unmarried, you must not be earning more than R4 400 per month or R52 800 per year. If married, your combined income should not be more than R8 800 per month or R105 600 per year.

PROOF OF PRIMARY CAREGIVER

So that the SASSA child grant system is not exploited by those who do not actually have children, if you are not a parent, you must prove you are the primary caregiver. The following documents will count as proof:

• Affidavit from the child’s parent or police.
• Letter from the child’s school principal.
• An official report from a lawfully recognised social worker.
• The child must be 18-years of age or less.
• The child must live with the primary caregiver.
• The caregiver should not be receiving any additional compensation for raising the child.
• The child cannot be under the care of any government institution.
• Note that a caregiver cannot receive grants for more than six children.

HOW TO APPLY FOR A CHILDREN’S GRANT

There is no online process to apply unfortunately. But, if all of the above applies to you, you can visit the service counter of any regional SASSA office. Click on the LINK for assistance. When there, apply for a SASSA child grant by filling in the application form. No charge applies here.

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A SASSA official will help you fill in the forms and must be present throughout. The documents you need when you apply for a SASSA child grant should include the following (where applicable to you):

• Ezoic.
• If you are not a child’s biological parent or legal guardian, you should provide a written note or letter of permission from a child’s parent or guardian.
• Your (caregiver/guardian/parent) bar-coded South African identification card (ID).
• The child’s (children’s) birth certificate. The certificate must have an identification (ID) number.
• Any proof of income – these could be your payslip, pension slips, or past three months’ bank statements.
• Your bluebook / Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) card from your last job.
• Proof that you are the primary caregiver of the child or children, as stated above.
• Specify how the SASSA child grant money should be paid to you.

HOW WILL YOU GET PAID?

SASSA offers cash and EFT payment methods. For cash, you can pick your money up from any designated pay points on selected days. For the electronic payment method, the money can be transferred directly into your bank account. Accordingly, the current payment amount is R760 per child, per month.

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You can change your preferred SASSA child grant payment method anytime you want at a SASSA regional office. You will start receiving money three months after the date of application. If you do not meet all the criteria, your grant application may be refused, in which case you can appeal the decision.

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