SASSA Foster Child Grant 2026. Current Amount, Dates and How to Apply

Direct Answer: The current SASSA Foster Child Grant amount is R1,290 per child per month from April 2026. It will increase to R1,300 from October 2026. This grant is for foster parents who have a court order granting them legal custody of a child. It is paid on the third day of the monthly SASSA payment cycle alongside the Child Support and Care Dependency grants.

Some children cannot live with their biological parents. Their parents may have passed away. They may have been neglected. They may have been abandoned. A court steps in and places these children in the care of a responsible adult. That adult becomes a foster parent.

Raising a child costs money. The SASSA Foster Child Grant exists to help foster parents cover those costs. Food. School. Clothing. Medicine. Basic needs.

1. What Is the SASSA Foster Child Grant

Some children cannot live with their biological parents. Their parents may have passed away. They may have been neglected. They may have been abandoned. A court steps in and places these children in the care of a responsible adult. That adult becomes a foster parent.

Raising a child costs money. The SASSA Foster Child Grant exists to help foster parents cover those costs. Food. School. Clothing. Medicine. Basic needs.

This grant is paid every month to the foster parent. Not to the biological parents. Not to the child. To the legally confirmed foster parent who holds a valid court order.

It is one of three child-focused grants managed by SASSA. The other two are the Child Support Grant and the Care Dependency Grant.

2. Current Foster Child Grant Amount 2026

The SASSA Foster Child Grant amount was increased in April 2026 as part of the annual budget adjustment announced by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana.

The April 2026 increase of R40 brings the grant to R1,290 per child per month. A second minor adjustment of R10 is confirmed for October 2026. From that date the grant rises to R1,300 per child per month.

This grant is paid per child. If you are fostering two children, you receive R1,290 multiplied by two every month. From October that becomes R1,300 per child.

For comparison, here are the amounts for other children’s grants in 2026.

3. Foster Child Grant Payment Dates 2026

The SASSA Foster Child Grant is paid on the same day as the Child Support Grant and Care Dependency Grant. This is the third day of the monthly payment cycle.

Here is the full payment schedule for 2026 and early 2027.

You do not need to collect your money on the exact payment date. Once deposited, your funds remain safely in your account until you need them. This reduces unnecessary queues and keeps you safe.

4. Who Qualifies for the Foster Child Grant

To qualify for the SASSA Foster Child Grant, you must meet all of the following requirements.

Court Order — Non-Negotiable

You must have a valid court order granting you legal custody of the child. This is the single most important requirement. Without a court order, you cannot receive this grant. This is what makes the Foster Child Grant different from the Child Support Grant.

Residency

You must live in South Africa. The child must also live with you in South Africa.

Not the Biological Parent

You must not be the biological parent of the child. Biological parents apply for the Child Support Grant instead.

Child Age

The child must be under 18 years old. The grant stops automatically when the child turns 18.

Identity

You must be a South African citizen, permanent resident, refugee, or asylum seeker with a valid permit to live in South Africa.

Income Test

Your income must fall within the acceptable range set by SASSA. You must demonstrate that you need financial assistance to care for the child.

5. Documents Required

Prepare all your documents before visiting a SASSA office. Having everything ready speeds up the process significantly.

If the child’s birth certificate is not available, bring proof that you have applied to the Department of Home Affairs for one. SASSA accepts this as a temporary measure.

If your ID is not available, SASSA can provide a designated affidavit. You must also submit a sworn statement committing to provide your ID within a specified period.

6. How to Apply for the Foster Child Grant

The SASSA Foster Child Grant application cannot be done online. It cannot be done by WhatsApp or USSD. You must visit your nearest SASSA office in person. This is a firm requirement because biometric verification and original document checking are part of the process.

Here is how to apply step by step.

• 1

  Gather All Required Documents

  Collect everything listed above. Make sure your court order is valid and has not expired.

• 2

  Visit Your Nearest SASSA Office

  No appointment is needed in most offices. Arrive early to avoid long queues.

• 3

  Request the Application Form

  Ask for the Foster Child Grant application form at the front desk. Application forms are not available online. They are only available at SASSA offices.

• 4

  Complete the Application Form

  Fill in the form carefully. A SASSA representative can help you fill it in if needed. Someone can fill it on your behalf if you cannot do so yourself.

• 5

  Submit With All Documents

  Submit your completed form together with all original documents. A SASSA official will check everything.

• 6

  Receive Your Receipt

  This receipt is your proof of application. Keep it safe. You will need it to track your application and for future reference.

7. How You Receive Your Payment

Once your SASSA Foster Child Grant is approved, you receive your payment through one of these methods.

• ✓Bank Account — Recommended. Your monthly payment deposits directly into your personal bank account. Capitec, TymeBank, Absa, FNB, and all major South African banks accept SASSA payments. This is the safest and most convenient option.
• ✓Postbank Black Card. If you use the Postbank system, your payment goes onto your new Black Card. Make sure you have completed the Gold Card swap before October 2026.
• ✓Retail Outlets. Collect at Shoprite, Checkers, Boxer, Usave, or Pick n Pay. Present your card at the till point.
• ✓SASSA Designated Pay Points. Available in specific areas on scheduled days. Check with your local SASSA office for the pay point schedule in your area.

8. What Happens After Approval

If your application is approved, payments start from the date the court ordered custody of the child. Not the date of your SASSA application. Not the approval date. The date on the court order.

This means you may receive backdated payments covering the period from the court order date to your approval date.

9. When Is the Grant Suspended or Cancelled

SASSA monitors the Foster Child Grant continuously. Your grant will be suspended if any of the following happen.

Grant is suspended if:

• !Your court order expires.
• !You fail a SASSA review.
• !Fraudulent documents are discovered.
• !SASSA made an approval error.

Grant lapses permanently if:

• ×You pass away.
• ×The foster child passes away.
• ×You stop being the child’s foster parent.
• ×The child turns 18.
• ×The grant is not collected for three consecutive months.

10. How to Appeal a Rejected Application

If your SASSA Foster Child Grant application is rejected, you will receive written notification. The letter will include the specific reason for rejection.

You have 90 days from receiving the rejection notice to lodge a formal appeal.

Here is how to appeal.

• 1

  Read Your Rejection Letter

  Read the letter carefully. Understand the exact reason for rejection.

• 2

  Gather Additional Evidence

  Collect additional evidence or corrected documents that address the rejection reason directly.

• 3

  Submit Your Appeal

  Visit your nearest SASSA office. Submit your appeal in writing. Or contact the SASSA helpline on 0800 60 10 11 for guidance on the appeal process.

• 4

  Keep Records

  Keep copies of everything you submit. Ask for a receipt confirming your appeal was received.

11. Foster Child Grant vs Child Support Grant — Key Differences

Many caregivers are unsure which grant applies to their situation. Here is a clear comparison.

If you are a biological parent or a grandparent without a court order, you apply for the Child Support Grant instead. If you have been formally granted foster care by a court, you apply for the Foster Child Grant.

12. Frequently Asked Questions

13. Sources and References

• →South African Social Security Agency. Official Website. sassa.gov.za. Accessed May 2026.
• →National Treasury South Africa. Budget Speech 2026. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana.
• →Department of Social Development. Foster Child Grant Policy Framework 2026.
• →SASSA. Confirmed Payment Schedule 2026/2027 Financial Year.
• →Postbank South Africa. Black Card Migration Deadline August 2026.
• →SASSA Helpline. 0800 60 10 11. Accessed May 2026.