Food is finished. Rent is due. And that R580 still hasn’t reflected. If you care for a child alone and depend on this grant, every day of delay feels like a crisis. Here’s what you need to know.
Official Website — Secure & Verified · srd.sassa.gov.za
Quick Summary: The SASSA Child Support Grant pays R580 per month per child to qualifying primary caregivers in South Africa. Check your payment status via the SASSA website, WhatsApp on 082 046 8553, or call the toll-free number 0800 60 10 11. Payments follow an official monthly schedule.
What Is the SASSA Child Support Grant?
The SASSA Child Support Grant is a monthly social grant paid by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) to primary caregivers who cannot fully meet a child’s basic needs. It covers children under 18 years of age.
This grant is one of the most widely received in South Africa, supporting over 13 million children every month. It helps caregivers provide food, clothing, and basic education for children in their care.
The grant is governed by the Social Assistance Act and administered by SASSA under the Department of Social Development.
Who Qualifies for the Child Support Grant?
The Caregiver Must:
- Be the child’s primary caregiver — this includes a parent, grandparent, or a child over 16 heading a household
- Be a South African citizen or permanent resident
- Earn no more than R52,800 per year if single, or R105,600 combined if married
- Live in South Africa with the child
- Not be paid to look after the child
If you are not the child’s biological parent, you must prove your caregiver role through one of the following:
- An affidavit from a police official
- A social worker’s report
- An affidavit from the biological parent
- A letter from the child’s school principal
The Child Must:
- Be under 18 years old
- Not be living in a state institution
- Live with the primary caregiver
- Reside in South Africa
Important: You cannot claim this grant for more than six children who are not your biological or legally adopted children.

How Much Is the Child Support Grant?
| Grant Type | Monthly Amount Per Child as of April 2026 |
| Standard Child Support Grant | R580 |
| Top-Up (where applicable) | R580 + R290 |
The grant is paid per child, meaning if you care for multiple qualifying children, you receive a separate payment for each one.
How Will SASSA Pay You?
SASSA pays the Child Support Grant through:
- Cash at a designated SASSA pay point on a set day
- Electronic deposit into your bank or Postbank account
- Through an institution acting as grant administrator
If you cannot collect the grant yourself, you may appoint a procurator at a SASSA office or give someone power of attorney to collect on your behalf.
What Documents Do You Need to Apply?
Gather these before visiting your nearest SASSA office:
- Your 13-digit bar-coded ID and the child’s birth certificate
- Proof of earnings (yours)
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Court order confirming custody (if divorced)
- Death certificate or missing person’s police report (if one or both parents are absent)
- Proof of maintenance received for the child (if any)
If you or the child does not have ID or a birth certificate, bring:
- A sworn statement from a councillor, social worker, traditional leader, or religious minister
- Proof of application to the Department of Home Affairs
- A temporary ID (if issued)
- Supporting documents such as a baptismal certificate, Road to Health card, or school report
Steps to Apply for the Child Support Grant
Applying at Your Nearest SASSA Office
- Visit the SASSA office nearest to your home with all required documents
- Complete the application form in the presence of a SASSA officer — only you or the SASSA official may complete the form
- The officer will assess your eligibility based on your documents and circumstances
- You will receive a receipt as proof of application — keep it safe
- Wait up to three months for your application to be processed
- If approved, your grant is backdated to your application date
The entire service is free of charge.
How to Apply for the Child Support Grant Online?
You can apply through the SASSA Online Services portal at services.sassa.gov.za:
- Open Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge and go to services.sassa.gov.za
- Click Register, fill in your personal details, and click Save
- Enter the OTP sent to your mobile number to confirm registration
- Click “Apply for a Grant” and select Child Support Grant
- Complete the screening questionnaire accurately — dishonest answers can delay or block your application
- Fill in the application form and SASSA-generated affidavit, then click Continue
- Upload all supporting documents, including the child’s birth certificate and your ID
- Click Submit Documents to complete your application
You will receive an SMS and email confirmation with a reference number. Your official application date is the day SASSA receives all your required documents.
How to Check Your SASSA Child Support Grant Payment Status?
Method 1 — SASSA Website
Go to https://srd.sassa.gov.za/SC19/STATUS and use the SASSA status check tool. Enter your ID number & Phone number to see your current payment status.
Method 2 — WhatsApp
Send a message to 082 046 8553 on WhatsApp. Follow the prompts and type in your ID number to get a status update instantly.
Method 3 — Toll-Free Call
Call 0800 60 10 11 — free from any South African phone. Lines are open during SASSA office hours.
Method 4 — Visit a SASSA Office
Bring your ID to any SASSA office. A staff member will check your status on the system directly.
SASSA Child Support Grant Payment Dates 2026–2027
The Children’s Grant is paid last each month, after the Older Person’s and Disability grants.
| Month | Children’s Grant Payment Date |
| April 2026 | 08 April 2026 |
| May 2026 | 07 May 2026 |
| June 2026 | 04 June 2026 |
| July 2026 | 06 July 2026 |
| August 2026 | 06 August 2026 |
| September 2026 | 04 September 2026 |
| October 2026 | 06 October 2026 |
| November 2026 | 05 November 2026 |
| December 2026 | 04 December 2026 |
| January 2027 | 07 January 2027 |
| February 2027 | 04 February 2027 |
| March 2027 | 04 March 2027 |
When Can the Child Support Grant Be Suspended?
SASSA may suspend the grant if:
- Your financial circumstances change
- You fail to co-operate during a grant review
- Fraud or misrepresentation is discovered
- The child is no longer in your care
- An error was made during the original approval
When Does the Grant Lapse?
The grant lapses when:
- The child passes away
- The child is admitted to a state institution
- The caregiver does not collect for three consecutive months
- The child leaves South Africa
- The child turns 18 — the grant ends at the close of that month
What If Your Application Is Rejected?
SASSA will send you a written notice explaining the reason for rejection. You have the right to appeal to the Minister of Social Development at the national Department of Social Development.
You must submit your appeal within 90 days of receiving the rejection. Write clearly why you disagree with the decision.
Conclusion
The SASSA Child Support Grant is a critical lifeline for caregivers across South Africa. Whether you are a parent, grandparent, or older sibling raising a child, this grant helps cover basic needs every month.
Apply early, keep your documents in order, and check your payment dates in advance. If your payment is late or your application is delayed, call SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 it costs nothing and gets you answers fast.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I Apply for the Child Support Grant for a Child that is not mine Biologically?
Yes. You can apply as a primary caregiver even if you are not the biological parent. You must provide proof of your caregiving role through a social worker’s report, school letter, or a signed affidavit.
2. How many Children can I Claim the Child Support Grant for?
There is no limit for your biological or legally adopted children. However, you cannot claim the grant for more than six children who are not biologically or legally yours.
3. What Happens when my Child Turns 18?
The Child Support Grant lapses at the end of the month in which the child turns 18. No further payments are made after that date.
4. Can the Grant be Paid into Someone else’s Account?
Not directly. However, you can appoint a procurator at a SASSA office or grant power of attorney to someone who will collect the grant on your behalf.
5. Does the Child Support Grant Affect my other Social grants?
The Child Support Grant is for the child’s benefit and is separate from grants you may receive personally, such as the Disability Grant. Both can run concurrently in most cases.
6. What Do I do if My Child Support Grant Payment is missing?
Contact SASSA immediately on the toll-free number 0800 60 10 11, check your status via WhatsApp on 082 046 8553, or visit your nearest SASSA office with your ID document.
Contents
- 1 What Is the SASSA Child Support Grant?
- 2 Who Qualifies for the Child Support Grant?
- 3 How Much Is the Child Support Grant?
- 4 How Will SASSA Pay You?
- 5 What Documents Do You Need to Apply?
- 6 Steps to Apply for the Child Support Grant
- 7 How to Apply for the Child Support Grant Online?
- 8 How to Check Your SASSA Child Support Grant Payment Status?
- 9 SASSA Child Support Grant Payment Dates 2026–2027
- 10 When Can the Child Support Grant Be Suspended?
- 11 When Does the Grant Lapse?
- 12 What If Your Application Is Rejected?
- 13 Conclusion
- 14 Frequently Asked Questions
- 14.1 1. Can I Apply for the Child Support Grant for a Child that is not mine Biologically?
- 14.2 2. How many Children can I Claim the Child Support Grant for?
- 14.3 3. What Happens when my Child Turns 18?
- 14.4 4. Can the Grant be Paid into Someone else’s Account?
- 14.5 5. Does the Child Support Grant Affect my other Social grants?
- 14.6 6. What Do I do if My Child Support Grant Payment is missing?