Which Grant Do I Qualify For?
Not sure which grant fits you? One means test checks them all and recommends your options.
The Foster Child Grant supports people who care for a child that a court has legally placed in their care. In September 2026 it pays R1,290 per month per child — more than the Child Support Grant — and, importantly, there is no means test on the foster parent's income. This guide explains the court order requirement, the role of the social worker, the documents you need, and how the grant differs from the Child Support Grant so you apply for the right one.
The Foster Child Grant is unusual among SASSA grants because the hardest part happens before SASSA is ever involved. The grant itself is straightforward to claim once you have the paperwork; the real work is obtaining the court order that makes a child legally "in foster care". Understanding that sequence — social worker, then court, then SASSA — is the key to a smooth application.
What makes the Foster Child Grant different
The defining feature of this grant is the court order. A child is only "in foster care" when the Children's Court has formally placed them with you, usually because their own parents have died, are absent, or are unable to care for them safely. A foster parent may be a relative or a non-relative; what matters is the court's decision, not the biological relationship.
Because the placement is court-ordered, SASSA does not apply an income means test to the foster parent. This is the key difference from the Child Support Grant, which pays less (R580 versus R1,290) but is available to any primary caregiver who passes the income test. If you are simply looking after a relative's child without a court order — a grandmother raising a grandchild, for example — the Child Support Grant is usually the right route, and it is far quicker to obtain because it does not involve the courts.
Which grant should you apply for?
The choice comes down to whether a court has placed the child with you.
| Foster Child Grant | Child Support Grant | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly amount | R1,290 per child | R580 per child |
| Court order required | Yes | No |
| Means test on caregiver | No | Yes (income ≤ R5,800 single) |
| Typical situation | Orphaned or removed child placed by court | Relative or parent raising a child |
| Time to obtain | Longer — court process first | Faster — office visit only |
If you are unsure which applies to your circumstances, our guide on who qualifies for SASSA grants and the Child Support Grant guide can help you decide before you start.
The role of the social worker
You cannot get a court order on your own — a social worker must be involved. The process usually runs like this:
- A social worker (from the Department of Social Development or an accredited organisation) investigates the child's circumstances and confirms that the child needs care and protection.
- The social worker compiles a report and refers the matter to the Children's Court.
- The court considers the report and, if foster care is in the child's best interests, issues a foster care order naming you as the foster parent.
Only once that order exists can you apply to SASSA for the grant. The court order also sets a date when the placement must be reviewed, so keep track of it. The social worker is your main point of contact throughout, and staying in regular touch with them is the single best way to keep the process moving and to prepare for the review when it comes due.
How long does the court process take?
The court stage can take several months, and sometimes longer where cases are backlogged. This is the part applicants find most frustrating, because the child is in your care and costing money to raise while the paperwork is still being processed. It is worth applying for a Child Support Grant in the interim if you qualify on income, so the household has some support while the foster order is finalised. Once the foster order is granted, you switch to the Foster Child Grant. Our guide on multiple grants explains how these interact.
Documents you need
Take the originals and copies of the following. Because there is no means test, the list is shorter than for other grants.
| Document | Why it is needed |
|---|---|
| Your 13-digit smart ID or green ID book | Confirms your identity |
| Child's birth certificate | Confirms the child and their age |
| Court order placing the child in your foster care | The legal basis for the grant |
| Proof of your residence | Confirms you live in South Africa |
Because there is no means test, you do not need to provide bank statements or proof of income for a foster placement. If you also care for other children under a means-tested grant, our sassa means test calculator and the documents checklist will help you keep the two applications separate.
Step-by-step: how to apply
Like the other permanent grants, the Foster Child Grant is applied for in person at a SASSA office rather than online — see our comparison of applying online versus in person.
- Make sure the Children's Court has issued a valid foster care order in your name. Without it, SASSA cannot process the grant.
- Visit your nearest SASSA local office, or call 0800 60 10 11 for directions and to confirm the office is open.
- Complete the application form with a SASSA officer, who captures your details and the child's, including biometrics.
- Submit the court order, birth certificate and your ID with copies.
- Sign the form and keep the receipt with the reference number as proof of your application date.
- Note the review date on the court order so you can arrange to renew the placement in good time.
Keeping the grant and renewing the order
Foster care orders are granted for a set period and must be extended by the court before they expire. If the order lapses, the grant lapses too, so work with your social worker well before the review date rather than waiting for it to arrive. SASSA processes applications within 90 days, and an approved grant is backdated to your application date. Keep your contact details current — see updating your SASSA phone number — so you do not miss any notice about the review, and check when payments land in SASSA payment dates 2026.
What if the order lapses before you renew it?
If a foster care order expires before it is extended, the grant stops, and you may face a gap while the court renews the placement. Prevent this by starting the renewal with your social worker at least a couple of months before the expiry date printed on the order. If a lapse has already happened, contact your social worker immediately to have the placement re-confirmed, and speak to the SASSA office about reinstating the grant once the extended order is in hand.
What if you are rejected or the court order is delayed
The most common reason a Foster Child Grant application is refused is that the court order is missing, expired, or does not match the child's or caregiver's details. Because the grant depends entirely on the order, the fix is almost always to sort out the court paperwork with your social worker rather than to argue the point with SASSA. If you believe SASSA has made an error despite a valid order, you can raise it through the SASSA complaint and reconsideration process. If the child in your care has a severe disability and needs full-time care, look at the Care Dependency Grant, which pays a higher amount for that specific situation.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a court order to apply?
Yes. The Foster Child Grant is only paid when a Children's Court has formally placed the child in your care. Without a court order you would apply for the Child Support Grant instead, which does not need one.
Is my income tested for the Foster Child Grant?
No. Unlike most grants, the Foster Child Grant has no means test on the foster parent, because the court has already decided the placement is in the child's best interests. You do not need to provide bank statements or income proof.
What happens when the court order expires?
The order must be extended by the court before it lapses. If it expires, the grant stops. Stay in contact with your assigned social worker so the review happens on time, and start the renewal a couple of months before the expiry date on the order.
Can I claim for more than one foster child?
Yes. You can receive the grant for each child the court has placed in your care, and each is paid at R1,290 per month. Every child needs their own valid court order and birth certificate.
How is the Foster Child Grant different from adopting a child?
Foster care is a temporary, court-supervised placement that is reviewed periodically, and it comes with a grant. Adoption makes you the child's legal parent permanently and does not carry a foster grant, though an adopted child may qualify for the Child Support Grant if you meet the income test. The two are separate legal routes.
Can I get the Child Support Grant while I wait for the foster order?
If you meet the Child Support Grant's income means test, you can claim it for the child while the foster placement is being finalised, then switch to the higher Foster Child Grant once the court order is granted. You cannot receive both grants for the same child at the same time.
This is an independent help site. Always confirm current amounts and rules at SASSA.