The SASSA child support grant pays R580 a month per child (from April 2026) to the primary caregiver of a child under 18. The caregiver doesn’t have to be a parent, and must earn less than R5,800 a month if single or R11,600 combined if married. Relatives caring for an orphan can get a top-up of R290, making R870. You apply at a SASSA office with your ID and the child’s birth certificate, and you can check your application status by calling 0800 60 10 11 or at the office.
| Quick facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Amount | R580 a month per child from April 2026 |
| Orphan top-up | R290 extra, R870 in total |
| Who gets it | The primary caregiver of a child under 18 |
| Income limit | R5,800 a month (single), R11,600 (married) |
| Children | Your own children, plus up to six who aren’t your biological children |
| Payment day | Third payment day of the month (children’s grants) |
| Status check | 0800 60 10 11, WhatsApp 082 046 8553 or your SASSA office |
On this page: Who qualifies · Amount 2026 · Orphan top-up · Documents · How to apply · Status check · Payment dates · When it stops · FAQ
Who qualifies for the SASSA child support grant?
- You are the primary caregiver: the person who mainly looks after the child day to day. You can be a parent, grandparent, aunt, older sibling or any other person.
- The child is under 18 and lives with you in South Africa.
- You are a South African citizen, permanent resident or refugee.
- You pass the means test: income under R5,800 a month if single, or R11,600 combined if married. There is no asset test.
- No one else is getting a grant for the same child, and the child isn’t living in a state institution.
You can get the grant for all your own children, and for up to six children who aren’t your biological or legally adopted children. If you foster a child through a court order, the foster child grant is the right grant instead. See how they compare in our guide to all SASSA grants.
How much is the child support grant in 2026?
The child support grant went up from R560 to R580 a month on 1 April 2026. That is still below the food poverty line of R796 a person per month. In a March 2026 reply to Parliament, the Department of Social Development said the CSG is the only grant below the food poverty line, that it had asked Treasury for a bigger increase, and that Treasury declined because of budget pressure (PMG, question NW641).
About 13.2 million children received a child support, foster child or care dependency grant at the end of January 2026, out of about 19.9 million children in South Africa. For every other grant amount, see our SASSA grant amounts guide.
Child support grant top-up for orphans
Since 30 May 2022, a relative who cares for an orphaned child can get a 50% top-up. In 2026 that is R290 on top of R580, so R870 a month per child. It also covers orphans in child-headed households. You apply at a SASSA office with certified copies of the parents’ death certificates. If you can’t get one parent’s certificate, bring the other’s plus an affidavit. No court order or social worker report is needed (Vuk’uzenzele).
Documents you need
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Your 13-digit ID or smart ID card | If you don’t have one, ask SASSA about the alternative documents it accepts |
| The child’s birth certificate | With the child’s 13-digit ID number |
| Proof of income | Payslip, bank statements for three months, or a sworn statement if you have no income |
| Spouse’s ID and marriage certificate | Only if you are married |
| Proof you care for the child | If you aren’t the parent: an affidavit from a parent or the police, a social worker’s report or a letter from the school principal |
| Death certificates | Only for the orphan top-up |
School-age children are expected to attend school, so SASSA may ask for a school report later. Bring originals and certified copies.
How to apply for the SASSA child support grant
- Go to your nearest SASSA office with your documents. You can apply for a newborn as soon as you have the birth certificate.
- Fill in the application form with a SASSA official. Your fingerprints and photo are taken.
- Keep the receipt with the date and reference number. This proves when you applied.
- Wait for the decision, usually within three months. If you’re approved, the grant is paid from the date you applied.
- Choose how you want to be paid: your own bank account or a Postbank account.
Applying is free. Don’t pay anyone in the queue to “help”. If you’re refused, SASSA must tell you why in writing, and you can ask for reconsideration and appeal within 90 days.
SASSA child support grant status check
The child support grant doesn’t have its own online status page like the SRD grant. These are the official ways to check:
- Call SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 with your ID number and the reference number on your receipt.
- WhatsApp the official line, 082 046 8553. See our SASSA WhatsApp guide.
- Visit the SASSA office where you applied.
- Check your account on the children’s grant payment day once you’re approved.
The srd.sassa.gov.za status check is only for the SRD R370 grant, so it won’t show a child support grant. All other numbers are on our SASSA contact details page.
Child support grant payment dates
Children’s grants are paid on the third payment day each month. For November 2026 that is Tuesday 3 November (moved earlier because of the local government elections), and for December 2026 it is Friday 4 December. See every month on our SASSA payment dates page.
When the child support grant stops
- The child turns 18. The grant stops at the end of that month.
- The child no longer lives with you, or someone else becomes the primary caregiver.
- Your income goes above the limit.
- The child dies or goes into a state institution.
- You don’t respond to a SASSA review. See our grant review guide.
Tell SASSA about changes like these. Payments made after you stopped qualifying may have to be paid back.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the SASSA child support grant in 2026?
R580 a month per child from April 2026. Relatives caring for an orphan can get a R290 top-up, making R870.
What is the income limit for the child support grant?
In 2026 the caregiver must earn less than R5,800 a month if single, or R11,600 combined if married.
Can a grandmother get the child support grant?
Yes. Any primary caregiver can apply, including a grandparent, with proof that the child lives with and is cared for by them.
How many children can I get the child support grant for?
All your own children, plus up to six children who are not your biological or adopted children.
How do I check my child support grant status?
Call 0800 60 10 11, use the official WhatsApp line 082 046 8553, or visit the SASSA office where you applied. The SRD website does not show child grants.
When is the child support grant paid?
On the third payment day of each month. In November 2026 that is 3 November, and in December 2026 it is 4 December.
Can I get the child support grant and the SRD grant?
Yes. The child support grant is paid for the child, so a caregiver can also apply for the SRD R370 grant if they qualify.
About this guide
Written and checked by N Chris, for SASSA Status Check Help. This guide was checked against a reply to Parliament (March 2026), the 2026 means test explainer, Vuk’uzenzele, GroundUp and SASSA’s published payment dates. We are not SASSA. Read how we verify information.