SASSA Foster Child Grant

The Foster Child Grant (FCG) is a payment from the government of South Africa, to a foster parent (by a valid court order) of a child under the age of 18 years old. The grant is for foster parents who need financial assistance to help take care of a foster child or children.

SASSA Foster Child Grant

The value of the Foster Child Grant is R1 180 per child, as of 1 April 2024. This is an increase of R50 per grant. The next increase will be in April 2025.

If you would like to find out more about the Foster Child Grant, carry on reading.

  • What are the requirements to apply for the Foster Child Grant?
  • What is the Means Test for the Foster Child Grant?
  • How do I apply for the Foster Child Grant?
  • When will I receive the outcome of my Foster Child Grant?
  • How will I get paid my Foster Child Grant?
  • Why was my Foster Child Grant application suspended?
  • Why did my Foster Child Grant application lapse?
  • How do I contact SASSA for any queries I have regarding my Foster Child Grant application?

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SASSA FOSTER CHILD GRANT

In order to apply for the SASSA Foster Child Grant, it is important that you meet the criteria to apply (note that these criteria are subject to change). The criteria is as follows:

  • You must be a South African Citizen, a Permanent Resident or a Refugee
  • You must be the foster parent of the child and they must remain in your care
  • You and the foster child must both reside in South Africa
  • The foster child must have been placed in your custody by a court, due to any of the following reasons: they were orphaned/ abandoned/ at risk/ abused/ neglected
  • The foster child must be under 18 years old

READ ABOUT: Other types of grants
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APPLYING FOR THE SASSA FOSTER CHILD GRANT

Before you apply for a foster child grant, you should make an appointment with a social worker from the Department of Social Development. The social worker will issue a court order confirming that you are the legal foster parent of the child.

To apply for the Foster Child Grant, you should visit a SASSA office close to you or you may apply online (read instructions on how to apply online via the SASSA services website here).

The application form is available at the SASSA office and must be completed in the presence of a SASSA officer. A SASSA officer will be able to assist you to complete the application form if you or they are unable to do so.

You will receive a dated stamped receipt after completing your application, with the name of the SASSA official who assisted you. You will need to keep your receipt as proof of application.

The application process is completely FREE. 

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED WHEN APPLYING FOR A FCG

Applicants must take along the following documents when applying for the foster child grant through SASSA (these must be original documents or certified copies):

  • The child’s birth certificate (if you do not have this document available, a SASSA official will assist you in filling out a sworn statement or affidavit form)
  • Your South African Identity Document (if you do not have this document available, a SASSA official will assist you in filling out a sworn statement or affidavit form)
  • Your status permit and refugee ID if you are a refugee
  • Your spouses South African Identity Document, if you are married (if you do not have this document available, a SASSA official will assist you in filling out a sworn statement or affidavit form)
  • Proof of your spousal relationship – any of the following:
    • Marriage certificate: if married
    • Divorce order: if divorced
    • Spouses death certificate if your spouse is deceased
    • Sworn statement or affidavit if any of the above do not apply (eg. if you are living with a partner and unmarried, if you are separated or do not have contact with your spouse)
  • Court order proving that you are the foster parent

FOSTER CHILD GRANT OUTCOME

Applications are assessed within 90 day, after which time you will be informed in writing, whether your application was approved or rejected. If you were rejected, SASSA will provide a reason for your rejection.

You will be able to request SASSA to reassess your application if it was rejected. Download the Application for Reconsideration of SASSA Grant here.

If after reconsidering, your application is still rejected, you may appeal to the Minister of Social Development. 

GRANT PAYMENTS

After your grant is approved, you will be paid on the date on which you applied. Once your grant is approved, you will receive payment from the date of the legal placement of the child in your care, by the Children’s Court.

SASSA will pay the Foster Child Grant in any of these ways (depending on your preference):

  • Directly into your bank account (this must be a bank account in your name)
  • Collected in cash from approved pay points (using your SASSA gold card)
  • From specific institutions

CHANGING GRANT PAYMENT METHOD

Recently, a Postbank payment glitch left many grant recipients stranded and unable to access their grants. For this reason (or perhaps another reason), you may wish to change your grant payment method from the SASSA Gold Card into your own personal bank account.

If you would like your grant to be paid into your bank account, you will need to complete the Consent Form for Bank Payment of SASSA Grant, as well as provide the following documents: proof of identity (ID document/ birth certificate/ drivers license) and proof of bank account in your name (received from the bank) or 3 months bank statement showing your personal details (name and bank account number).

All of these documents must be submitted to a SASSA office near you. Alternatively, you may visit your nearest SASSA branch and they will assist you in how to change your payment method. Note that the new payment method will come into effect the following month.

If you are unable to collect your grant yourself, you may nominate someone to collect it for you.

The grant must be collected each month – if it is not collected for 3 months in a row, the grant will be cancelled and you will have to reapply. 

GRANT REVIEWS

The grant will is reviewed when the court order expires, which is generally every 2 years.

Applications are reviewed to verify that grant-holders still meet the criteria of the grant, to continue receiving the grant. Applications are reviewed to assess whether your circumstances have changed.

Applicants will receive a notification in writing from SASSA, 3 months before applications are to be reviewed. The notification will inform you when and where the review will be conducted and what will happen after the review. After the review has been completed, you will receive a receipt of compliance. 

GRANT SUSPENSION

Your grant may be suspended due to the following reasons:

  • Your circumstances change and you no longer meet the requirements to qualify for the grant
  • You provided false or incorrect information in your application
  • You failed to co-operate when the grant is reviewed
  • Outcome of a review
  • The grant was approved when it should not have been

FOSTER CHILD GRANT RESTORATION

If your grant was suspended due to any of the reasons above, you may apply to have the grant restored within 90 days of receiving the suspension.

FOSTER CHILD GRANT LAPSE

Your grant may lapse due to the following reasons:

  • The child has reached 18 years of age – the grant will lapse on the last day of the month in which they turned 18
  • The child has died – the grant will lapse on the last day of the month in which they died
  • The foster child has been removed from your care
  • The child was admitted into a state-funded institution – the grant will lapse on the first day of the seventh month after the date they were admitted
  • The child leaves school
  • The last living foster parents has died
  • The foster parent does not claim the grant for 3 months in a row

FOSTER CHILD GRANT NOTES

As a grant holder, it is your responsibility to:

  • keep SASSA updated with regards to changes to yours or the child’s personal and financial circumstances
  • keep SASSA updated with regards to changes to your physical address or contact details

Applicants must inform SASSA immediately of any changes to the above, as official notices are sent to your most recent address by registered mail. If you do not receive or act upon the notices, your grant may be suspended.

SASSA will not tolerate any fraudulent activities. 

CONTACT SASSA

For any further queries, please contact SASSA directly:
Contact the SASSA Toll Free Call centre on: 0800 60 10 11
Contact the SASSA Head Office on: 012 400 2322
Email SASSA Head Office at: Grantsenquiries@sassa.gov.za
Contact details of SASSA offices across the country: SASSA offices

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