Child Support Grant Requirements (2026)
Understanding the eligibility requirements for the SASSA Child Support Grant is essential before applying. The grant has specific criteria that both the child and caregiver must meet, including age requirements, income thresholds, residency conditions, and caregiver qualifications. This comprehensive 2026 guide covers all requirements in detail, helping you determine if you qualify for the Child Support Grant in South Africa.
Overview of Requirements
Who Can Receive the Grant?
The Child Support Grant is paid to the primary caregiver of an eligible child. The grant is designed to support families in providing for children's basic needs, including food, clothing, and education.
Grant Amount (2026)
- Monthly Payment: R530 per eligible child
- Payment Frequency: Monthly
- Multiple Children: One grant per eligible child
- Annual Review: Amount may be adjusted annually
Child Eligibility Requirements
Age Requirement
Primary Requirement:
- Child must be under 18 years old
- Grant continues until child's 18th birthday
- No minimum age requirement (babies qualify)
Important Notes:
- Grant automatically ends when child turns 18
- No extension beyond 18th birthday
- Child must be under 18 at time of application
- Age verified through birth certificate
Citizenship and Residency
Child Must Be:
- South African Citizen: Born in South Africa with SA citizenship, OR
- Permanent Resident: Hold valid permanent residence permit, OR
- Refugee: Hold valid refugee status with proper documentation
Residency Requirement:
- Child must be living in South Africa
- Child must be in applicant's primary care
- Cannot be temporarily visiting (tourist visa holders excluded)
Required Documentation:
- Birth certificate (showing citizenship)
- Permanent residence permit (if applicable)
- Refugee permit (if applicable)
- Proof of residency in South Africa
Care Requirement
Primary Care:
- Child must be in the applicant's primary care
- Applicant must be primarily responsible for child's daily care
- Child must live with applicant
- Applicant must provide for child's basic needs
Proof of Care:
- Child lives with applicant
- Applicant provides daily care
- Applicant is responsible for child's well-being
- May require affidavit or proof of care
Caregiver Eligibility Requirements
Who Can Apply as Caregiver?
Eligible Caregivers:
- Biological Parents: Natural parents of the child
- Adoptive Parents: Legally adopted parents
- Foster Parents: Foster parents (if not receiving Foster Care Grant)
- Grandparents: Grandparents caring for grandchildren
- Other Relatives: Aunts, uncles, siblings, etc.
- Legal Guardians: Court-appointed guardians
- Other Caregivers: Anyone providing primary care (with proof)
Important: Only one person can receive the grant per child. If multiple people care for the child, the primary caregiver applies.
Caregiver Citizenship and Residency
Caregiver Must Be:
- South African Citizen: Hold valid SA ID, OR
- Permanent Resident: Hold valid permanent residence permit, OR
- Refugee: Hold valid refugee status
Residency Requirement:
- Must be living in South Africa
- Must be physically present in SA
- Cannot be temporarily visiting
Required Documentation:
- South African ID (preferred)
- Permanent residence permit (if applicable)
- Refugee permit (if applicable)
- Proof of address in South Africa
Caregiver Age Requirement
No Maximum Age:
- No upper age limit for caregivers
- Grandparents and elderly caregivers can apply
- Must be able to provide care
No Minimum Age (with conditions):
- Technically no minimum age
- But must be able to provide primary care
- Must meet other requirements
- May require additional verification if very young
Means Test (Income Requirements)
Income Thresholds (2026)
Single Caregiver:
- Monthly Income Limit: R6,000 or less
- Calculation: All income sources combined
- Includes: Employment, self-employment, other grants, support, etc.
Married/Coupled Caregiver:
- Combined Monthly Income Limit: R12,000 or less
- Calculation: Both caregivers' income combined
- Includes: All income from both partners
Important Notes:
- Income is assessed monthly
- All income sources are considered
- Regular income, not one-time payments
- Average income if income varies
What Counts as Income?
Income Sources Included:
- Employment Income: Salary, wages, part-time work
- Self-Employment: Business income, freelance work
- Other Grants: Other SASSA grants received
- Support Payments: Spousal maintenance, child support received
- Rental Income: Property rental income
- Investment Income: Interest, dividends, returns
- Other Regular Income: Any other recurring income
Income Exclusions:
- One-time payments (gifts, loans)
- Food parcels or vouchers
- Emergency assistance
- Non-cash support
- Loans (must be repaid)
Income Calculation
How Income is Assessed:
- Monthly Calculation: Total monthly income from all sources
- Average Calculation: If income varies, average over 3-6 months
- Combined Income: For married/coupled, both incomes combined
- Verification: SASSA verifies through bank statements, UIF, SARS, etc.
Example:
- Single caregiver earns R4,500/month from job
- Receives R1,000/month from other source
- Total: R5,500/month
- R5,500 < R6,000 = QUALIFIES
Additional Requirements
Documentation Requirements
Essential Documents:
- Child's birth certificate (original and certified copy)
- Caregiver's South African ID (original and certified copy)
- Proof of income (bank statements, payslips, etc.)
- Proof of address (utility bill, lease agreement, etc.)
- Proof of caregiver status (affidavit, court order, etc.)
- Banking details (for payment)
Additional Documents (if applicable):
- Marriage certificate (if married)
- Court orders (custody arrangements)
- Adoption papers (if adopted)
- Medical reports (if child has special needs)
- Death certificate (if parent deceased)
Caregiver Status Verification
Proof Required:
- Affidavit confirming primary caregiver status
- Court order (if applicable)
- Letter from social worker (if applicable)
- Proof of relationship to child
- Evidence of providing daily care
Verification Methods:
- SASSA may verify with social workers
- May check with schools
- May verify with community organizations
- May require additional documentation
Exclusions and Restrictions
Who Cannot Receive the Grant?
Exclusions:
- Foster Parents Receiving Foster Care Grant: Cannot receive both grants for same child
- Income Above Threshold: Caregivers earning more than R6,000 (single) or R12,000 (coupled)
- Child Over 18: Child Support Grant ends at 18, no extension
- Non-Primary Caregiver: Only primary caregiver can receive grant
- Child Not in Care: Child must be in applicant's primary care
Grant Limitations
One Grant Per Child:
- Only one person can receive grant per child
- If multiple caregivers, primary caregiver applies
- Cannot split grant between caregivers
Cannot Combine with Other Grants:
- Cannot receive Child Support Grant and Foster Care Grant for same child
- Can receive Child Support Grant for multiple children (one per child)
- Other grants may affect eligibility
Special Circumstances
Grandparents as Caregivers
Eligibility:
- Grandparents can apply if they're primary caregivers
- Must meet all standard requirements
- Income threshold applies (R6,000 single, R12,000 if married)
- Must provide proof of primary care
Common Scenario:
- Parents unable to care for child
- Grandparents take primary responsibility
- Grandparents can apply for grant
- Must meet all eligibility criteria
Single Parents
Eligibility:
- Single parents can apply
- Income threshold: R6,000/month
- Must be primary caregiver
- Must meet all standard requirements
Support:
- Grant helps single parents provide for children
- Can apply for multiple children
- Each child receives separate grant
Adoptive Parents
Eligibility:
- Adoptive parents can apply
- Must have legal adoption papers
- Must meet all standard requirements
- Income threshold applies
Documentation:
- Adoption order/certificate required
- Legal proof of adoption
- All standard documents
- Proof of primary care
Children with Special Needs
Eligibility:
- Children with special needs can qualify
- Standard age and income requirements apply
- May qualify for additional grants (Care Dependency Grant)
- Medical documentation may be required
Additional Support:
- May qualify for Care Dependency Grant (separate grant)
- Can receive both grants if eligible
- Medical assessments may be required
Maintaining Eligibility
Ongoing Requirements
To Keep Receiving Grant:
- Child must remain under 18
- Caregiver must continue to meet means test
- Child must remain in caregiver's primary care
- Caregiver must update SASSA of changes
- Participate in periodic reviews
Changes That Affect Eligibility
Notify SASSA If:
- Income increases above threshold
- Child's circumstances change
- Caregiver status changes
- Address changes
- Banking details change
- Child turns 18 (grant ends)
Consequences of Not Reporting:
- Grant may be suspended
- Overpayments may need to be repaid
- Legal action possible
- Future grant eligibility affected
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income threshold for 2026?
For 2026, single caregivers must earn R6,000 or less per month, and married/coupled caregivers must have combined income of R12,000 or less.
Can I apply if I'm a grandparent?
Yes, grandparents can apply if they are the primary caregivers of the child and meet all eligibility requirements, including the income threshold.
How many children can I apply for?
You can apply for the grant for each eligible child in your care. Each child receives R530 per month if approved.
What if my income is slightly above the threshold?
If your income is above the threshold, you don't qualify. The threshold is strict—even R6,001 (for single) or R12,001 (for coupled) means you don't qualify.
Can foster parents apply?
Foster parents typically receive the Foster Care Grant. If you're not receiving Foster Care Grant, you may apply for Child Support Grant if you meet requirements.
What documents do I need?
Essential documents include: child's birth certificate, your ID, proof of income, proof of address, proof of caregiver status, and banking details.
How long does the grant last?
The grant continues until the child turns 18 years old, at which point it automatically ends.
Can I apply online?
Online application may be available depending on SASSA's current systems. Check the SASSA website or visit an office.
What if I'm unemployed?
Unemployment doesn't automatically qualify you. You must still meet the income threshold (which includes all income sources, not just employment).
Can I appeal if my application is declined?
Yes, you have 90 days to appeal a decline decision. Provide supporting documentation and explain why the decline was incorrect.
Conclusion
The Child Support Grant has specific eligibility requirements that both the child and caregiver must meet. Understanding these requirements—including age limits, income thresholds, caregiver qualifications, and documentation needs—helps ensure a successful application. The grant provides essential support for families caring for children, helping meet children's basic needs.
For more information about applying for the grant, payment dates, or maintaining your grant, explore our other comprehensive SASSA guides.
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