SASSA Foster Care Grant Application Process 2024

Foster Grant Introduction

A foster care grant is a financial support given by SASSA to help the foster parents of children. A foster child is a child assigned to you for care by the court due to reasons like orphaned, abandoned, at risk, abused, or neglected. Foster parents are responsible for fulfilling the child’s basic needs like food, clothes, medicine, and other daily requirements.

To be eligible for a foster care grant, the child must be legally in your care and remain in your care. The grant will expire once the child turns 18, leaves secondary school, or is no longer in your care. You can apply for a foster care grant by visiting the SASSA office with the required documents.

Who Qualifies for Foster Care Grant

It is important to check your eligibility before applying for the SASSA foster grant. You can check the SASSA eligibility criteria for the foster child grant below:

The foster parents must be South African citizens, refugees, or special permit holders.
The foster parents and child must live in South Africa.
A Foster child must be legally placed by the court in your care and must remain in your care.
The foster child must be under 18 to be eligible for a foster child grant.

Documents Needed to Apply for Foster Care Grant

You need the following documents to apply for a foster child grant:

You need your 13-digit South African ID and your foster child’s birth certificate.
Your status permit and refugee ID if you are a refugee.
If you do not have your ID card or child’s birth certificate then you need the following documents:
Fill a Foster grant affidavit in the standard SASSA format in the presence of an Oath’s commissioner who is not a SASSA official.
Bring a sworn statement attested by a reputable person (like a councilor, traditional leader, social worker, minister of religion, or school principal) who can verify both you and the child.
SASSA officer will take your fingerprints and refer you to the Department of Home Affairs to apply for an ID even as your application is processed. Your foster child grant will be suspended if you don’t get an ID.
You should bring proof from the Department of Home Affairs that you have applied for the ID and/or child’s birth certificate.
Submit the temporary ID issued by the Department of Home Affairs. (if applicable)
If you have a baptismal certificate then submit it also.
Submit your Road to Health Clinic card. (if applicable)
Submit Child’s school certificate if he/she is studying in school.
You must submit a copy of the court order that you are the child’s foster parent.
If you are married then proof of your marital status.
If you are divorced then a divorce certificate.

Foster Child Grant Application Process

To apply for a foster care grant visit your nearest SASSA office with the required documents. Ask for the application form from the SASSA officer to proceed with the SASSA foster child grant application process. Fill out the application form in the presence of a SASSA official and submit it to the SASSA officer with the other documents.

After completing the SASSA application process, collect the stamped receipt and keep it as proof that you have applied for the foster grant. Make sure to double-check the application form before submitting it to avoid application rejection.

SASSA Foster Grant Status Check

You can check your foster care grant status check by following the steps below:

You can check SASSA status by visiting our website homepage.
Enter your South African ID number or refugee ID number.
Enter the phone number you used during the foster grant application process.
Click on the “Submit” button.
Your foster child grant status with the approved payment dates will appear on the screen.

How Much Foster Care Grant Amount

Since October 2023, SASSA has set the Foster care grant amount at R1130/month. However, on 13 March 2024, SASSA increased the foster grant amount by R50/month to beat the rising inflation in South Africa. After the increase, the foster child grant will be R1180/month, applicable from April 2024.

What is Foster Care Grant Processing Time

SASSA takes up to 90 days to process the foster care grant application. However, it may take more time if there are many applications or due to any other technical issue. Once SASSA decides on your foster grant application, you will receive a message on your SASSA registered mobile number.

What to do If Foster Care Grant Application is Rejected

Once you apply for a Foster care grant, SASSA will check and verify your application manually and decide whether you are eligible for the grant or not. If you are eligible for the grant you will receive a confirmation message and if your application is rejected then you will get a message with reasons why your grant is rejected.

However, if your SASSA foster care grant is rejected and you disagree with the SASSA decision then you have the right to appeal. You can apply for an appeal application to the Ministry of Social Development at the National Department of Social Development within 90 days after the SASSA application rejection. DSD will review your application and decide on it. There are high chance that your appeal application will accepted if you are eligible for the grant.

Foster Child Grant Payment Methods

Just like other social grants you can collect foster care grants through various channels. The foster grant will be directly deposited in your bank account if you select the payment method as bank transfer. However, if you selected the cash payment method then you can collect your grant from the nearest SASSA partner retail outlets such as Pick n Pay, Shoprite, Boxer, Usave, Spar, and Checkers.

SASSA Foster Care Grant Balance Check

You can check your foster child grant balance through the following methods given below:

Dial the USSD code *120*3210# or *120*69277# from your SASSA registered mobile number.
SASSA gold card holders can check foster grant balances from any ATM.
You can check your SASSA foster grant balance through the SASSA WhatsApp number “082 046 8553” using prompts.
Dial the SASSA toll-free number “0800 601 011” from your registered phone number.

Foster Grant Suspension Reasons

Your foster care grant can be suspended due to the following reasons:

If your circumstances will change.
SASSA will suspend your grant due to the outcome of a review.
If you don’t cooperate with SASSA during the review process then your grant will be suspended.
If you mislead the SASSA or commit fraud.
SASSA foster grant will also be suspended if it was mistakenly approved by SASSA.

Reasons for Lapsing of SASSA Foster Child Grant

The foster child grant will lapse due to the following reasons:

The foster grant will expire in the case of the death of a child or foster parent.
If a foster child is admitted into the care of a state institution.
If you do not claim the grant for the consecutive 3 months.
If you or your foster child leave South Africa without notice.
If you are no longer the foster parent of the child.
If you lost your refugee status.

Responsibilities of the Foster Parents

As a foster parent and grant holder you have some responsibilities. You need to fulfill the responsibilities given below:

Make sure to update SASSA timely on any changes in your financial and personal circumstances.
Timely update SASSA if you are no longer the foster parent of the child or the foster child is no longer in your custody.
Timely update your contact details and banking details in case of any changes.
Provide all required documents and accurate information during the application process.

SASSA Contact Information

Toll-Free Number

0800 60 10 11

Head Office Number

012 400 2322

SASSA Email

[email protected]

Foster Child Grant FAQs

Starting in April 2024, the SASSA foster care grant amount will be R1180/month. The previous grant amount was R1130/month which is increased by R50/month.

SASSA released the schedule for payment dates for the financial year 2024/25 in which the payment date for the foster care grant is 5th April 2024.

You need your South African ID and childbirth certificate along with your marriage/divorce certificate and a copy of the court order saying that you are the foster parent of the child.

The foster care grant will stop when the child turns 18 or leaves secondary school.

SASSA regularly checks your foster care grant and makes sure that you are the right person to receive the grant.

SASSA Foster Care Grant Conclusion

The SASSA Foster Care grant gives financial stability to the foster parents of the child and helps them bear the daily expenses of the foster child. To be eligible for the foster grant you must be the foster parent of the child and the foster child is given in your custody by court. You are responsible for fulfilling the foster child’s daily needs like food, clothes, residency, and medical.

SASSA Foster Care Grant Application Process 2024

Foster Grant Introduction

Who Qualifies for Foster Care Grant