About care dependency grant

If you care for a child who has a severe disability and is in need of full-time and special care, you may qualify for a child dependency grant.

The care dependency grant covers disabled children from birth until they turn 18.

To qualify you must:

• be a parent, primary caregiver or a foster parent appointed by the court.
• be a South African citizen or permanent resident.
• not earn more than R180 000 a year if you are single. Your combined income should not be above R360 000 a year if you are married.

Note: This income limit does not apply to foster parents.

The child must:

• be younger than 18 years.
• not be cared for permanently in a state institution.
• have a severe disability and need full-time and special care.
• Both you and the child must live in South Africa.

Note: A state medical officer must assess the child before the grant will be approved.

How to apply

Visit your local SASSA office and bring the following:

• Parent/s, primary caregiver, or foster parent/s bar-coded ID.
• Child/ren’s birth certificate.
• A medical report for the child, which must say what the child is able to do – this is known as a functional assessment.
• If you are the foster parent of the child, the court order making you the foster parent.
• Proof of your marital status, such as a marriage certificate, divorce papers, or a death certificate of your spouse, or a sworn statement (affidavit) if you have never married.
• Proof of your income and if you receive a care dependency grant, the primary caregiver must ensure that the child:
• Be tested at the age of six years to see whether he or she needs special schooling.
• Receives appropriate education according to the level of disability.
• Remains in their care.
• Lives in adequate housing.
• Is fed and given clothes to wear.
• Receives the necessary medical and dental care.
• Not be in a wholly-funded state-run institution.

How long does it take?

• It may take up to three months to process your application.
•  If your grant is approved, you will be paid from the date on which you applied.

How much does it cost?

The service is free.