The SASSA Child Support Grant is South Africa's largest social grant programme, supporting over 13 million children every month. It pays R580 per child per month to the primary caregiver — whether that's a parent, grandparent, aunt, or any adult who is the child's main carer.
If you look after a child under 18 and your household income is below the means test threshold, you are likely eligible. This guide covers everything you need to know in plain English.
What Is the Child Support Grant?
The Child Support Grant (CSG) is a monthly cash payment from SASSA to help low-income caregivers cover the basic needs of children in their care — food, clothing, school supplies, and healthcare.
It is not a payment to the child. It is paid to the primary caregiver — the adult who is mainly responsible for the child's day-to-day care. That person does not have to be the biological parent.
The grant runs from birth until the child's 18th birthday. Applied for at birth, the total lifetime value of the grant at current rates is over R125,000 per child — making it one of the most significant financial benefits available to South African families.
Want to know exactly how much you could still receive based on your child's current age? Use our Child Support Grant lifetime value calculator to see the full picture.
How Much Is the Child Support Grant in 2026?
| Grant | Monthly Amount (from April 2026) |
|---|---|
| Child Support Grant | R580 per child |
| Child Support Grant Top-Up | R290 extra (for eligible caregivers of orphans) |
The amount increased from R560 to R580 per child in April 2026, confirmed in the February 2026 National Budget Speech. This applies to each child — if you are the primary caregiver for three qualifying children, you receive R1,740 per month in total.
The top-up of R290 applies to caregivers who are not the biological or adoptive parent — for example, a grandmother caring for an orphaned grandchild. This brings the monthly total to R870 per child for eligible recipients.
For the full payment schedule and your confirmed payment date, see our Child Support Grant payment dates page.
Who Qualifies for the Child Support Grant?
The Caregiver Must:
- Be the child's primary caregiver — the person responsible for the child's daily care
- Be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or recognised refugee
- Pass the means test (income must be below the threshold — see below)
- Be 18 years or older (children heading households can apply if 16 or 17 with the help of a social worker)
- Both the caregiver and the child must live in South Africa
The Child Must:
- Be under 18 years old
- Be a South African citizen or permanent resident
- Live with the caregiver who is applying
- Not be cared for in a state institution (children in state care or residential facilities do not qualify)
- The same caregiver cannot claim for more than six non-biological, non-adopted children
Not sure if you qualify? Use our Child Support Grant eligibility checker to get a quick answer based on your specific situation.
The Means Test — Income Limits for 2026
The Child Support Grant is means-tested, which means your household income must fall below a set threshold to qualify.
| Caregiver Status | Annual Income Limit | Monthly Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Single caregiver | R52,800 per year | R4,400 per month |
| Married / partner | R105,600 combined per year | R8,800 per month combined |
Important points about the means test:
- The means test applies to the caregiver's income, not the child's
- If you are married or living with a partner, both incomes are combined for the test
- Money received from the Child Support Grant itself does not count as income
- SASSA may request bank statements, payslips, or UIF records to verify income
Note: The income thresholds published on the Western Cape Government site (R5,100/month single, R10,200/month married) reflect a different calculation basis. The official gov.za thresholds for 2026 are R52,800 annual (single) and R105,600 annual (combined). Always verify with your nearest SASSA office if you are close to the threshold.
Who Can Apply — Not Just Parents
One of the most common misconceptions about the Child Support Grant is that only parents can apply. This is incorrect. Any adult who is the primary caregiver of a qualifying child can apply, including:
- Biological parents (mother or father)
- Grandparents — one of the most common applicants
- Aunts and uncles
- Older siblings (if 18 or older and the child's main carer)
- Family friends who have taken in a child
- Child-headed households — children aged 16 or 17 heading a household can apply with assistance from a social worker
If you are not the biological or adoptive parent, you will need to provide proof that you are the primary caregiver. See the full documents list for what is required in your specific situation.
When Does the Child Support Grant Stop?
The grant automatically lapses at the end of the month in which the child turns 18. SASSA does not always send advance notice — it is your responsibility to be aware of this.
Other reasons the grant may stop or be suspended:
- The child passes away
- The child is admitted to a state institution
- You do not collect the grant for three consecutive months
- The child leaves South Africa permanently
- Your income exceeds the means test threshold
- You fail to complete a required review or life certificate
- Fraud or misrepresentation is discovered
For a full explanation of what happens when the grant ends or is suspended, and what you can do about it, see our guide on when the Child Support Grant stops.
How to Apply
The Child Support Grant application must currently be done in person at your nearest SASSA office. Unlike the SRD grant, there is no fully online application for the Child Support Grant.
The good news: SASSA introduced same-day approvals for Child Support Grant applications in 2026. If you arrive with all the correct documents, your application can be processed and approved on the same day — you no longer have to wait the previous three-month processing period.
For the complete step-by-step application process, documents checklist by situation, and what to do if your application is declined, see our dedicated Child Support Grant application guide.
How Payments Are Made
Once approved, your Child Support Grant is paid monthly through one of the following methods:
- Direct bank deposit — the recommended method, paid directly to your registered bank account
- SASSA/Postbank card — collected at designated pay points
- Retail collection — at Pick n Pay, Shoprite, Boxer, Checkers, or USave using your ID and PIN
- Procurator — if you cannot collect yourself, you can authorise someone at your SASSA office to collect on your behalf
Child Support Grant payments follow a fixed monthly schedule — they are paid on the 4th of each month (or the nearest business day if the 4th falls on a weekend or public holiday), unlike the SRD grant which varies monthly.
See the Child Support Grant payment dates for 2026/2027 for the full confirmed schedule.
What to Do If Your Application Is Declined
A declined application is not the end of the road. SASSA must give you a reason for the decline and you have the right to appeal.
Common reasons for decline:
- Income exceeds the means test threshold
- Missing or incorrect documents
- Child does not meet age or residency requirements
- Duplicate application detected
You have 90 days from the date of decline to submit an appeal. See our Child Support Grant appeal guide for the full process.
The Child Support Grant and the SRD Grant
Many South Africans receive both the Child Support Grant and the SRD R370 grant. These are two separate grants and receiving one does not automatically disqualify you from the other — provided you meet each grant's individual eligibility criteria.
However, the income threshold for the SRD grant (R624 per month) is much lower than for the Child Support Grant. The Child Support Grant payment itself does not count as income for SRD means test purposes, but other income sources do. See our SRD grant application guide for more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a father apply for the Child Support Grant? Yes. Either parent can apply — the grant goes to whichever parent or caregiver is the primary carer. If both parents are involved, only one can receive the grant per child.
Can I apply for more than one child? Yes. You receive R580 per qualifying child. There is no limit on biological or adopted children. For non-biological, non-adopted children, the limit is six.
What if I don't have a bank account? You can still apply and receive payment via SASSA pay points or retail collection. However, opening a bank account is recommended — see our guide on changing your SASSA payment method for options that work for grant recipients.
Does receiving the Child Support Grant affect maintenance payments? The grant does not replace court-ordered maintenance. If the other parent is required to pay maintenance, that obligation continues regardless of whether you receive the Child Support Grant. The maintenance amount may be considered as income in the means test.
Can I get the Child Support Grant if I also receive the Old Age or Disability Grant? Yes. Receiving a grant for yourself does not prevent you from receiving the Child Support Grant for a child in your care, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria.
Contact SASSA About the Child Support Grant
- SASSA Call Centre: 0800 60 10 11 (toll-free, Monday to Friday 08:00–16:00)
- WhatsApp: 082 046 8553
- Email: [email protected]
- Official SASSA site: sassa.gov.za
- SASSA offices near you: SASSA contact numbers by area