Foster Child Grant

The Foster Child Grant is a monthly payment from SASSA to a foster parent who is caring for a child placed with them through an official Children’s Court order. This page explains general eligibility, the documents SASSA typically asks for, how to apply, how payments and reviews work, and what to do if an application is declined, based on official SASSA and South African Government guidance. This is general information only — always confirm your personal eligibility with SASSA.

Foster care usually comes about because a child has been orphaned, abandoned, abused, neglected or otherwise found to be at risk, and a court has decided that placing the child with a foster parent is in their best interests. Because a valid court order sits at the centre of every application, this guide pays close attention to what that order needs to show and what happens as it approaches its review date.

Quick Facts

Paid monthly by SASSA to the foster parent named in a valid court order
Requires the child to be legally placed in foster care by the Children’s Court
No income means test is generally applied to this grant
Current amount: R1,290 per month per child (verify on official SASSA sources, as amounts can change)

Who May Qualify

To qualify, you generally need to be a South African citizen, permanent resident or recognised refugee, and both you and the child must live in South Africa. The child must have been legally placed in your care by the Children’s Court, must remain in your care for as long as you receive the grant, and must be younger than 18 years old.

Unlike the Child Support Grant, SASSA generally does not apply an income means test to the Foster Child Grant, since it is intended to support the cost of caring for a child who has been placed with you by the courts rather than to assess your personal financial need. What matters most is that the court order is valid, current and correctly reflects that the child is in your care.

Documents You Will Generally Need

Before visiting a SASSA office, it helps to gather the following where they apply to your situation:

Your 13-digit barcoded South African ID document.
The child’s birth certificate, or identity documents from their country of origin if the child was born elsewhere.
The original Children’s Court order that placed the child in your foster care.
Your refugee status permit and refugee ID, if applicable.
Proof of your marital status.
The child’s school certificate, if the child is currently at school.

If you do not have your own ID or the child’s birth certificate, SASSA can generally accept a sworn affidavit completed in front of a Commissioner of Oaths, together with a supporting statement from a reputable person such as a councillor, social worker, minister of religion or school principal who knows you and the child. You will usually still be referred to the Department of Home Affairs to apply for the missing document, and not following through on that step can put your grant at risk of suspension later.

How to Apply for the Foster Child Grant

Obtain the original Children’s Court order confirming that the child has been legally placed in your foster care.
This order is the foundation of your application, so SASSA cannot generally proceed without it.
Gather your ID document, the child’s birth certificate and the other supporting documents listed above.
Having certified copies ready alongside the originals can save you a repeat visit.
Apply in person at the SASSA office closest to where you live.
Only you as the applicant, or a SASSA official, may complete the application form.
Keep the receipt SASSA gives you as proof of your application date.
If approved, payment is generally backdated to the date the court placed the child in your care, so this receipt matters.
Wait for SASSA to verify your documents and the court order.
SASSA advises that a decision may take up to around three months, even when your documents are complete.

Payment Information

Once approved, the Foster Child Grant is currently paid at R1,290 a month per child, following SASSA’s published monthly payment schedule. SASSA can pay the grant into a bank or Postbank account, in cash at a designated pay point, or through an approved institution such as a registered welfare organisation acting as administrator.

If you are unable to collect your own payment, you can appoint a procurator at a SASSA office, or give someone written power of attorney to collect it on your behalf.

View Payment Dates

Reviews, Suspension and When the Grant Lapses

Because the grant depends on a court order, it is generally reviewed when that order expires, which is currently every two years. SASSA will usually notify you around three months in advance of the review. If you receive your money through a bank account, an institution or a procurator, you are also generally required to complete a life certificate at a SASSA office every year to confirm the grant is still being paid correctly.

The grant can be suspended if your circumstances change, following the outcome of a review, if you fail to cooperate with a review, if there was a mistake when the grant was approved, or if fraud or misrepresentation is found. It lapses completely if the child or the last surviving foster parent passes away, if the child is admitted to a state institution, if the grant is not claimed for three consecutive months, if you are absent from the country, if the child is no longer in your foster care, or if your refugee status ends.

What Happens If Your Application Is Declined

If SASSA declines your application, you should be told in writing why it was unsuccessful. If you believe the decision was incorrect, you have the right to appeal to the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals (ITSAA), the body that decides these appeals on behalf of the Minister of Social Development.

Appeals must generally be lodged within 90 days of receiving the outcome, using the appeal form published on the Department of Social Development website, and you can get help lodging one through your nearest SASSA or DSD office, or by contacting DSD Customer Care on 012 312 7727. This route is separate from the online appeal process used for declined SRD R370 applications, so keep any letter SASSA gives you, since you will likely need it to lodge your appeal correctly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Letting the Children’s Court order lapse without applying for renewal in time, which can interrupt your payments.
Not following through with the Department of Home Affairs after being referred there for a missing ID, which can lead to a suspension.
Missing the annual life certificate appointment if you are paid through a bank, institution or procurator.
Not reporting changes such as the child leaving your care, which can affect whether the grant should continue.

Tips for a Smoother Application

Speak to the social worker involved in the foster placement well before your court order is due to expire, since renewing it in good time helps avoid a gap in your payments. Keep a certified copy of the court order somewhere safe, as you may need to show it again at reviews or if you ever need to query your payment status.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the grant continue after the child turns 18?

The Foster Child Grant is generally intended for children younger than 18. In some cases involving continued education, extended support may be considered, so speak to your social worker or SASSA directly about whether this applies to your situation.

What happens if my application is declined?

SASSA must tell you in writing why your application was unsuccessful. You can generally appeal to the Minister of Social Development through the Department of Social Development within about 90 days of the decision, which is a different process from the SRD R370 appeal route.

Is there a means test for the Foster Child Grant?

No income means test is generally applied to the Foster Child Grant, unlike the Child Support Grant. Eligibility instead centres on a valid Children’s Court order placing the child in your care.

What happens when my court order is close to expiring?

SASSA generally notifies foster parents around three months before a court order’s review date. It is worth contacting the social worker involved in the placement as soon as you are aware the order is due to expire, to help avoid a break in your payments while the order is renewed.

Disclaimer: SA Grant Dates is an independent information resource and is not affiliated with SASSA or the South African government. Eligibility rules, amounts and processes are determined by SASSA and may change. Always verify current details on the official SASSA website.

Official Sources & Review Date

Last reviewed: 16 August 2026. This page is based on the official SASSA website and South African Government social-benefits guidance. Rules, amounts and procedures can change, so confirm important decisions through an official SASSA channel.