SASSA Foster Care Grant Application & Eligibility Get Complete Guide about SASSA Foster Care Grant Application Process and its Eligibility to know who is able to receive the grant.
What is SASSA Foster Care Grant
SASSA foster child grants are financial aid that SASSA provides to foster parents to assist them with caring for foster children. Foster children are those who have been placed in your care due to unavoidable circumstances, such as being orphaned or abandoned, tortured or neglected, or being at risk.
Who is Eligible for the Foster Care Grant?
To qualify for the SASSA Foster Care Grant, you must meet the following criteria:
Foster Parent Status: You must be the legal foster parent of the child, with a valid court order confirming your foster care arrangement.
Residency: Both you and the foster child must reside in South Africa.
Citizenship or Residency Status: You must be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee.
Child’s Age: The foster child must be under the age of 18.
However, if the child is still in school, the grant can continue until they turn 21 or complete their matriculation, whichever comes first.
Financial Need: While there isn’t a strict income threshold, SASSA assesses the financial need of the applicant and the child to determine eligibility.
How to Apply for the Foster Care Grant
Applying for the Foster Care Grant involves the following steps:
1. Contact a Social Worker: The first step is to contact a social worker at your nearest Department of Social Development office. They will assist you in obtaining a court order confirming your foster parent status.
2. Visit a SASSA Office: Once you have the court order, visit your local SASSA office with the following documents:
- Your South African ID
- The child’s birth certificate
- The court order confirming your foster care arrangement
- Proof of your income and expenses
3. Complete the Application Form: A SASSA officer will help you complete the application form.
Submit Your Application: After completing the form, submit it along with the required documents. You will receive a receipt as proof of application.
4. Submit Your Application: After completing the form, submit it along with the required documents.
Foster Child Grant Documents Required
You must bring the following documentation (originals or certified copies) when applying for a foster child grant.
- Identification Documents
- Original 13-digit barcode identification document (ID).
- If you are a refugee, your status permit or refugee ID.
- Birth Certificate of an infant with a valid identification number.
- You can only get a birth certificate or ID if you have one.
- The SASSA official will provide you with the form or download it here. A SASSA official will provide the form, but you can also Download the SASSA Affidavit here.
- Bring a validated declaration attested to by a reputable individual (such as a community counselor, leader of the traditional culture, social worker, a religious leader recognized, or a school principal) who can confirm you and your child.
- Department of Home Affairs documentation should confirm your identification card or birth certificate application.
- The Department of Home Affairs will provide you with a temporary identification document. (if applicable).
- The baptismal certificate, if available.
- If available, the school certificate.
- The card of the Road to Health Clinic, if available.
- You are officially designated as the legal foster parent by the court order.
- If applicable, please provide documentation proving your marital status.
- If you’re married, a marriage certificate is required.
- If the marriage is dissolved, a divorce decree will be issued.
- If your spouse is deceased, you will need to obtain a Death Certificate.
- The Affidavit/Sworn Statement is used if none of the options above applies.
- Please provide any documentation that reveals your child’s earnings, such as a maintenance payment order. (if available)
The balance of the Foster Child Grant is calculated by using SASSA.
You can check your remaining grant balance using the SASSA Balance Check. You can manage your money and grant money by checking your account balance. You should check your account balance regularly after your grant is paid.
- You can dial the USSD codes *120*3210# and *120*69277# from your mobile phone.
- You can withdraw cash from any ATM.
- You can send an SMS to the SASSA WhatsApp number 82 046 8553
- Call the SASSA toll-free number 800 601 011