Child Support Grant
How much Child Support Grant will you get? R580 per child — check the means test.
The Child Support Grant is the most widely paid social grant in South Africa, helping caregivers cover the basic needs of children in their care. In September 2026 it pays R580 per month for each eligible child. This guide explains who counts as a primary caregiver, what documents you need, how the means test works and exactly how to apply at a SASSA office — including what to do when a birth is not registered or you are not the child's parent.
Because it reaches so many households, the Child Support Grant is also the grant people most often get wrong at the counter. The rules about who is a "primary caregiver" and how many children you can claim for are widely misunderstood, and an unregistered birth or a missing clinic card sends thousands of applicants home every month. Getting the paperwork right the first time is the whole battle.
Who can apply
The grant is paid to the primary caregiver of a child under the age of 18 — the person who takes daily responsibility for the child. This is usually a parent, but it can also be a grandparent, older sibling or another relative who looks after the child. You do not have to be the biological parent, and you do not have to be related to the child at all, provided you are genuinely the one raising them.
You must be a South African citizen, permanent resident or refugee, live in South Africa with the child, and pass the income means test. A caregiver can receive the grant for up to six children who are not their own biological or legally adopted children. There is no limit on the number of your own children you can claim for.
Only one person can receive the grant for a given child at a time. If care of the child moves from one household to another — say from a mother to a grandmother — the grant does not follow automatically; the new caregiver must apply and the previous one should report the change.
The income means test
Your income must fall below the threshold to qualify. As a single caregiver you may earn up to R5,800 per month; if you are married the combined limit is R11,600 per month. Check where you stand with our child support grant calculator, and read the full means test explainer to understand what SASSA counts as income.
A worked example
Nomsa is a single mother of two young children. She works part-time and earns R4,800 a month. That is below the R5,800 single-caregiver limit, so she qualifies for both children — a total of R1,120 per month (2 × R580). If Nomsa later took a full-time job paying R6,200 a month, she would be over the single limit and would no longer qualify, even though her costs of raising the children have not changed. This income cliff is why it is worth checking your exact figure on the calculator before you apply, and re-checking if your earnings change.
For a married couple the maths uses the combined figure. If Sipho earns R7,000 and his wife earns R3,500, their combined R10,500 is under the R11,600 married limit, so they still qualify.
Documents you need
Take the originals and copies of each document. The table below shows what to bring and what to do if something is missing.
| Document | Why it is needed | If you do not have it |
|---|---|---|
| Your 13-digit smart ID or green ID book | Confirms your identity | Sworn affidavit + proof you applied at Home Affairs |
| Child's birth certificate with ID number | Confirms the child and their age | Register the birth at Home Affairs first, but still visit SASSA |
| Proof you are the primary caregiver | Confirms daily responsibility | Clinic card, school records or a sworn affidavit |
| Proof of income / 3 months' bank statements | Income means test | Sworn affidavit of income if unbanked |
| Spouse's ID and income proof (if married) | Combined means assessment | Marriage or death certificate as relevant |
If the child's birth is not registered, apply at Home Affairs first, but still visit SASSA — an officer can guide you and tell you exactly what the office will accept in the meantime. See our complete documents checklist for edge cases such as a missing ID or unregistered birth.
Step-by-step: how to apply
The Child Support Grant is applied for in person at a SASSA local office. It cannot be completed online, so be cautious of any site that claims otherwise. Our comparison of applying online versus in person explains why the permanent grants still need an office visit.
- Locate your nearest SASSA office. If unsure, phone the toll-free line 0800 60 10 11 or use the office locator on the SASSA website.
- Prepare documents the night before. Make copies of everything, including the child's birth certificate, so you are not caught out by a broken photocopier on the day.
- Arrive early with the child's documents and your own. Offices open at 07:30 and the first queue tickets go quickly.
- Take a queue ticket and wait to be called by an officer.
- Complete the application form with a SASSA officer, who captures your details and the child's. The officer takes your fingerprints and photograph.
- Provide your income details for the means test and hand over your document copies. Answer honestly — under-declaring income can cause the grant to be stopped later.
- Sign the form and keep the receipt with its reference number as proof of the date you applied. This date is the one your payments are backdated to.
If you are not the parent, the officer may ask a few extra questions to confirm you are the primary caregiver. Answer honestly and bring any supporting proof you have, such as a clinic card in your name or a letter from the child's school.
Applying for more than one child
You apply once for each child, but you can list several children on the same visit. Remember that each child needs their own birth certificate. The grant is paid per child, so three qualifying children means R1,680 per month in total at current rates, and four means R2,240. There is no single "family" payment — each child is assessed and paid separately.
If a child in your care has been placed with you by a court order, you may qualify for the higher Foster Child Grant instead. Wondering whether to apply for this grant or the SRD R370? Our SRD vs Child Support comparison helps you decide, and our guide on multiple grants explains how the Child Support Grant sits alongside a grant you receive for yourself.
When and how you are paid
SASSA processes applications within 90 days, and an approved grant is backdated to your application date. You can choose to be paid into your bank account, at a retailer or at a cash pay point. Keep your phone number and address up to date — see updating your SASSA phone number — so SASSA can reach you about reviews or changes, and check the monthly payment dates for 2026 so you know when the money lands.
What if you are rejected or a document is missing
If your application is turned down, the letter must give a reason. The most common causes are income above the R5,800 threshold, a birth certificate that could not be verified, or an ID mismatch. Where the problem is a document, the fix is usually to return with the correct paperwork rather than to appeal. Where you disagree with the decision on the merits, you can lodge a reconsideration through the SASSA complaint and reconsideration process. If the child's birth is simply not yet registered, do not wait months — register it at Home Affairs and ask the SASSA office what interim proof it will accept so the clock on your application starts sooner.
Reviews and life changes
The Child Support Grant is reviewed periodically, and SASSA may ask you to confirm the child is still in your care and that your income still qualifies. Report changes promptly: if the child moves to live with someone else, if your income rises above the limit, or if you gain care of an additional child. Reporting changes keeps you on the right side of the rules and avoids an overpayment that SASSA would later reclaim.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to be the child's parent to apply?
No. Any primary caregiver — a grandparent, relative or guardian who looks after the child day to day — can apply, as long as they meet the citizenship and income requirements. The officer may ask questions to confirm you are the one raising the child.
How many children can I claim for?
You can receive the grant for your own children without limit, and for up to six children who are not biologically or legally your own. Each child must have a birth certificate and be under 18.
Can I get the Child Support Grant and another grant at the same time?
Yes. You can receive a Child Support Grant for a child while also getting a grant for yourself, such as the Old Age or Disability Grant, provided you meet each grant's rules. You cannot, however, receive two grants for the same child.
What if the child's birth is not registered?
Register the birth at the Department of Home Affairs as a priority, because SASSA needs the child's birth certificate and ID number. Still visit the SASSA office in the meantime — an officer can tell you what interim documents will hold your place while the registration is completed.
Does the grant stop when the child turns 18?
Yes. The Child Support Grant is for children under 18 and ends in the month the child turns 18. There is no automatic transfer to another grant, though the young adult may qualify for the SRD grant or, if disabled, the Disability Grant in their own name.
I earn just over the limit. Is there anything I can do?
The income means test is a firm threshold, so earning above R5,800 (single) generally disqualifies you. It is worth checking your exact figure on the child support grant calculator, because SASSA does not count every rand you receive as income. If you are genuinely over the limit, you may still qualify for other support depending on your circumstances.
This is an independent help site. Always confirm current amounts and rules at SASSA.