The SASSA Child Support Grant is a vital lifeline for many families in South Africa, providing much-needed financial assistance to help support children’s basic needs. For those struggling to make ends meet, the grant can be a lifeline, ensuring that children can access necessities such as food, shelter, and education.
In this article, I will provide detailed information on how to apply for Child Support Grant, the criteria for eligibility, the documents needed, application process and purpose of the grant, and the amount of Child Support Grant. I will also discuss how to check the status of your application’s status and provide additional resources and information.
What is the SASSA Child Support Grant?
The SASSA Child Support Grant is a lifeline for many lower-income households in South Africa. It provides financial support to parents and caregivers who struggle to meet their children’s basic needs due to financial constraints. The grant is specifically designed to bridge the gap in the cost of living and helps cover essential expenses such as food, clothing, and education.
It’s important to remember that Child Support Grant is not meant to replace other sources of income but to supplement them, providing much-needed assistance to those who need it most.
Eligibility Requirements for Child Support Grant
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Primary caregiver of the child must be a South African citizen, permanent resident;
- The applicant and the child must be resident of South Africa.
- Child is under 18 years old,
- not be in the care of a state institution,
- Child/children must have been born after 1st October 1994;
- Applicant and their spouse must meet the income analysis requirements;
- You can not apply for six children who are not your blood;
- Not receiving any other social grant for the child, such as a foster care grant;
- the child has a primary caregiver living in a support grant area who continues to provide care.
Documents required for Child Support Grants
You must include the following original documents or certified copies with your Child Support Grant application:
- South African Identification Documents of the child (with the 13-digit bar code in it)
- Birth Certificate of the child
- You must prepare a full affidavit in the standard format and have it sworn in the presence of a Commissioner of Oaths who is not affiliated with SASSA, if the above documents are unavailable.
- The child’s school report, if applicable
- A temporary ID issued by the Department of Home Affairs
- A sworn statement by a well-respected public leader or a reputable person, including a Councilor, social worker, minister of religion who personally knows the applicant and the child, or a traditional leader
- Baptismal Certificate if available
- Proof of child’s maintenance, if any
- Proof of applicant’s income (may use payslip of 3 months)
- Marriage certificate, if applicant is a couple
- Proof of right to have custody of the child (if divorced)
- A death certificate if one or both parents of the child is dead.
Now that you have know what documents are needed for Child Support grant application, let’s jump to how to apply.
How to Apply for SASSA Child Support Grant
You can apply for SASSA Child Support Grant at the nearest SASSA local office where you live. To apply, fill out the application form, free of charge, in the presence of a SASSA officer who will provide you with a receipt as proof of your application.
Specify how you want the money to be paid out, either in cash at a pay point or through electronic transfer to your bank account, with normal bank charges applying to any money transactions, and you can switch payment methods by filling out a form, which takes effect a month later.
If you are too old and cannot come to the office to apply benefits, then a family member or friend can request on your behalf.
If your grants are approved, you will be paid starting on the date you applied.
Read also: How to Apply for SRD R350 Grant Online
FAQs on SASSA Child Grant
How much is SASSA payments for child grant?
The SASSA Child Support Grant is valued at R500 per month per child and will increase to R510 per month from 1st October 2023, which is a R10 increase. However, the value changes every year.
Is it legal for SASSA to suspend child grant?
SASSA can review your child’s grant to ensure that only those who qualify receive it, but they must follow a process. You should be informed three months in advance if the grant is going to be reviewed.
Why did I not get my SASSA child grant?
Your child grant may be suspended for various reasons, including:
- The child is no longer in your care
- There is a dispute over who the true primary caregiver of the child is (an investigation will take place)
- Failure to cooperate when the child’s grant is reviewed
- Fraud or misrepresentation of information
- Other reasons, such as the child passing away or being admitted to a state institution, the caregiver not collecting the grant for three months in a row, the child being absent from the country, or the child turning 18.
What can I do if my SASSA child grant is suspended?
If the grant is suspended, you will be notified in writing. If you are not okay with the decision, you can appeal to the Appeals Tribunal within 90 days of being notified. After 90 days, appeals can only happen in exceptional circumstances.
How to cancel SASSA Child grant?
To cancel your SASSA Child Grant, visit a SASSA office and provide a letter of appointment or payslip, a 3-month bank statement, the child’s birth certificate, and your ID. SASSA will process these documents to cancel the grant. Only cancel if you no longer require financial assistance, and contact SASSA for any questions or guidance.
How long does SASSA take to approve Child Grant?
SASSA has a processing time of up to 90 days for Child Grant applications. Upon submission, you may receive an immediate response indicating whether your application was successful, or you may need to wait patiently for a response. Once your application has been processed, SASSA will send a letter to the address you provided on your form, informing you of the outcome of your application. It is important to keep your address information up-to-date to ensure timely communication from SASSA.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the SASSA Child Support Grant is a valuable resource for families facing financial difficulties. By meeting the eligibility criteria, families can receive R500 per child per month to help cover the costs of raising a child. Remember to bring all necessary documents and to fill out the application form in the presence of a SASSA officer.
It’s important to note that the grant can be suspended if there is a dispute over the child’s primary caregiver, if the child is no longer in the care of the primary caregiver, or if there is fraud or misrepresentation.
For more information or assistance, visit the SASSA website or contact your nearest SASSA office.
