Foster Child Grant 2026

Under SASSA's You and Your Grant booklet, you must:

• be a South African citizen, permanent resident or recognised refugee living in South Africa
• live in South Africa with the foster child
• keep the foster child in your care
• not be maintained or cared for in a state-funded institution
• provide the child's birth certificate
• provide a valid court order confirming the foster care placement

The booklet also says you can't be eligible for this grant for more than six children, unless they are siblings or blood relations, or the court decides that more is in the best interest of the children.

There is no means test. SASSA says the Foster Child Grant is the only grant not means tested, and that your income isn't considered.

A child who is also care dependent can receive this grant and the Care Dependency Grant at the same time, and your income is left out of the means test for the second one.

R1,290 a month for each child, according to SASSA's 2026/27 announcement. That is up R40 from April 2026. The 2026/27 Budget summary on the Parliament website adds a further R10 rise in October, to R1,300.

R1,180 was the amount before the April 2025 increase and is out of date.

The grant may run until the child is 21 if they are still at school, including at tertiary level, when you submit the supporting documents. It is paid from the day the court placed the child in your care, not from the day you applied.

Bring certified copies.

• Your 13-digit barcoded ID, and your spouse's if you are married. Approved alternatives are accepted if you don't have one.
• A certified copy of your Section 24 refugee permit, if applicable.
• The child's 13-digit birth certificate.
• Proof of marital status: a marriage certificate, death certificate for a spouse, divorce decree, or an affidavit in case of desertion.
• A bank confirmation letter, or three months of statements, for the account you want paid into.
• The valid court order confirming foster care placement.
• Proof of school attendance if the child is 7 to 18. Missing it won't, on its own, lead to a refusal.
• Proof of school attendance for children over 18 who are still at school.

The account must be in your name.

1. Get the court order first. A social worker investigates and reports to the Children's Court, and the presiding officer issues the order.
2. Collect the documents above.
3. Go to your nearest SASSA office and complete the application form in front of an officer. Only you or an officer may fill it in.
4. Keep the receipt.

Applying is free. SASSA says processing may take up to three months. SASSA says it never asks for your PIN. To report fraud, call 0800 701 701.

A foster care order lasts for the period the court sets. The government says the grant is reviewed when the order expires, currently every two years, and that SASSA advises you three months in advance. When the period runs out, the presiding officer can extend it after reviewing a social worker's recommendation.

That makes your social worker the person to call, and the sooner the better. At a SASSA review you must show a valid court order or an extension order.

SASSA reviews the grant at expiry, and a grant can be suspended if you don't complete a review. If it was suspended because you missed a review or didn't collect it for three months in a row, SASSA's booklet says you must apply for restoration within 30 days. If your court order is about to lapse, contact your SASSA office before it expires.

A grant can also lapse when the child reaches the age limit, dies, leaves the country, or is admitted to a state institution, or when payments go unclaimed for 90 days after approval. Tell SASSA about any change, such as the child leaving your care.

If your application is stuck or declined

If SASSA can't give you an outcome on the day, following up is your job. Visit the office where you applied, call 0800 60 10 11, or email GrantEnquiries@sassa.gov.za, and quote your receipt. The SRD status checker doesn't cover this grant.

An unsuccessful application gets written reasons. You can appeal by asking an official to help lodge it, or by emailing Grantappeals@dsd.gov.za. You have 90 days from learning of the decision to appeal, under the appeal regulations. What each status means explains Pending, Declined and suspended results.

Caring for a child without a court order? The Child Support Grant is for the child's primary caregiver and doesn't need one. The comparison of all SASSA grants shows the others.