SASSA Foster Child Grant (2026): Complete, Human-Friendly Guide for Foster Parents

Caring for a foster child is one of the most generous things you can do — but it’s also expensive. School uniforms, food, transport, data, clinic visits… it all adds up very quickly.

The SASSA Foster Child Grant is there to help you shoulder some of that financial pressure so that the child in your care can live with dignity, stability and love. This guide walks you through exactly how the grant works in 2026, who qualifies, how to apply, how payments work, and what to do if something goes wrong.

1. What Is the SASSA Foster Child Grant?

The SASSA Foster Child Grant is a monthly cash grant paid to a foster parent (or foster parents) who have a valid court order placing a child in their care. It’s meant to help cover the basic needs of a child in foster care:

• Food and clothing
• Schooling and transport
• Toiletries and everyday needs
• Part of medical and other care costs

From 1 April 2025, the Foster Child Grant is R1,250 per child per month.

This amount is reviewed during each national Budget, so it may change again in future years.

2. Who Can Get the SASSA Foster Child Grant?

Eligibility is mainly about three things: where you live, your legal status as a foster parent, and the child’s situation.

2.1 Basic eligibility

You qualify for the Foster Child Grant if:

• You are a foster parent (or foster parents) officially appointed by a Children’s Court order.
• Both you and the foster child are living in South Africa.
• The foster child is under 18 years old (with possible extension up to 21 if still in school).
• The child has been found by the court to be “in need of care and protection” – for example: orphaned or abandoned, abused or neglected, or at serious risk in their original home.

You do not need to be the child’s biological parent; many foster parents are grandparents, aunts, uncles, or other relatives.

2.2 Citizenship and refugee status

You can qualify if you are a South African citizen, permanent resident, or recognized refugee, and the child is legally placed in your foster care by a South African Children’s Court. Children who are undocumented or refugees can still be placed in foster care and qualify for the grant once the right orders and documents are in place.

2.3 Is there a means test?

3. How Much Is the Foster Child Grant in 2025?

From 1 April 2025, the Foster Child Grant is set at: R1,250 per month per foster child.

Will the amount increase again in 2025?

The 2025 Budget announced increases effective from April 2025; any further increases would depend on future budget decisions. Always check the latest “You and Your Grants” brochure or official SASSA announcements for updated values.

4. 2025 Foster Child Grant Payment Dates

The Foster Child Grant is paid on the same day as other children’s grants (Child Support and Care Dependency).

Important: Dates can sometimes shift slightly if there are public holidays or new official changes. SASSA always confirms dates via its official channels – so double-check close to the time.

5. How the Foster Child Grant Is Paid

You can choose one of several payment methods:

If you cannot collect the grant yourself, you can appoint a procurator or give someone power of attorney to collect on your behalf.

6. Step-by-Step: How to Apply for the SASSA Foster Child Grant

Applying involves two crucial processes: the social worker + Children’s Court process, and the SASSA grant application.

1. Step 1: Work with a social worker and Children’s Court

   Before SASSA can pay the grant, the child must be placed in your care by a Children’s Court order. Without that order, SASSA cannot legally pay the grant.

   • Social worker investigates the child’s situation.
   • Court issues a foster care order placing the child with you.

2. Step 2: Collect your documents

   You should prepare:

   • Your 13-digit South African ID (or refugee ID / permit).
   • The child’s birth certificate or ID.
   • The court order placing the child in your foster care.
   • Proof of marital status (marriage cert, divorce decree, etc.).

   If no IDs are available, SASSA can accept an affidavit and a sworn statement from a reputable person while you apply to Home Affairs.

3. Step 3: Go to your nearest SASSA office

   Visit the office with your documents and court order. A SASSA official must help you complete the application form in their presence.

   Note: This cannot be done online.

4. Step 4: Submit and get your receipt

   Ensure you receive a dated receipt with the name of the assisting official. Keep it safe! It is proof you applied on that date.

5. Step 5: Wait for the decision

   SASSA normally takes up to 3 months to finalise. If approved, payments are made from the date of the court order, meaning your first payment should include back-pay.

7. What If Your Foster Child Grant Application Is Rejected?

A rejection is not the end of the road. SASSA must notify you in writing and give reasons.

7.2 Ask SASSA to reconsider

You can ask SASSA to reconsider its decision within 90 days. Visit the office with your rejection letter and any documents that fix the problem.

7.3 Appeal to the Minister if still refused

If reconsideration still fails, you can appeal in writing to the Minister of Social Development (through SASSA) within 90 days of the reconsideration outcome.

8. Reviews, Suspensions and When the Foster Grant Stops

9. Responsibilities of Foster Parents

By receiving the grant, you agree to:

• Use the money primarily for the child’s needs.
• Keep the child in safe and adequate living conditions.
• Ensure the child attends school regularly.
• Inform SASSA about any changes (address, marital status, child leaves your care).

10. Special Situations and Useful Tips

• More than one foster child?

  Yes. You can receive a separate Foster Child Grant for each child, as long as each has their own court order.

• Foster Grant and Care Dependency Grant?

  If the foster child has a severe disability, you may qualify for both the Foster Child Grant and the Care Dependency Grant.

• Missing IDs/Certificates?

  SASSA can accept a SASSA affidavit or a sworn statement from a trusted person, but you must still follow through and apply for proper documents at Home Affairs.

11. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

12. Final Thoughts

The SASSA Foster Child Grant is one of the most important tools South Africa has to support children who have gone through loss, trauma or serious neglect. It helps put food on the table, keep a child in school, and cover transport and clinic visits.