The SASSA foster child grant pays R1,300 a month per child from October 2026 (R1,290 from April to September) to a foster parent who has a children’s court order placing the child in their care. It isn’t means-tested, so your income doesn’t matter. You apply at a SASSA office with the court order, your ID and the child’s birth certificate. The grant lasts while the court order is valid, which is why getting the order extended on time is the most important thing a foster parent can do.
| Quick facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Amount | R1,300 a month from October 2026 (R1,290 April to September) |
| Who gets it | A foster parent with a valid children’s court order |
| Means test | None |
| Age of child | Under 18, or up to 21 if still in school or training and the care is extended |
| Key document | The court order placing the child with you |
| Payment day | Third payment day of the month (children’s grants) |
| Help | 0800 60 10 11, your social worker or SASSA office |
On this page: Amount 2026 · Who qualifies · The court order · How to apply · Extensions and lapses · After 18 · vs child support top-up · Payment · FAQ
How much is the SASSA foster child grant in 2026?
The 2026 Budget raised the foster child grant in two steps: from R1,250 to R1,290 in April 2026, and to R1,300 in October 2026, as summarised by Parliament. It’s paid per child, so a foster parent caring for three children gets R3,900 a month. Some websites still show R1,180 or R1,250, which are older amounts. See all grants on our SASSA grant amounts page.
Who qualifies?
- You are a foster parent named in a children’s court order.
- The child lives with you in South Africa.
- You are a South African citizen, permanent resident or refugee.
- The child is under 18, or older under an extension for school or training.
Section 8 of the Social Assistance Act says a foster parent is eligible “for as long as that child needs such care” (Social Assistance Act, section 8). There is no income test, and biological parents can’t get the foster child grant for their own child: they can apply for the child support grant instead.
The court order: how foster care starts
- A social worker (from the Department of Social Development or a child welfare organisation) investigates and writes a report.
- The children’s court hears the case and, if it agrees, places the child in your foster care.
- You receive the court order. Keep the original safe and make certified copies.
This process can take months because social workers are in short supply. If the child is related to you, ask the social worker whether the child support grant top-up is a quicker option (see below).
How to apply for the SASSA foster child grant
- Go to your nearest SASSA office once you have the court order.
- Take your 13-digit ID, the court order, and the child’s birth certificate. If you have them, also take the child’s clinic card and school report.
- If you’re married, take your spouse’s ID and your marriage certificate.
- Fill in the application with a SASSA official and keep your receipt.
- Wait for the decision, usually within three months. If approved, the grant is paid from the date you applied.
Applying is free. If you’re refused, SASSA must tell you why in writing, and you can ask for reconsideration and appeal within 90 days. Office numbers are on our SASSA contact details page.
Extensions and lapsed court orders
Foster care court orders don’t last forever. Under section 159 of the Children’s Act, an order generally has to be extended after a set period, usually two years, with a new social worker report. If the order expires, the foster child grant can be suspended until a new order is in place.
- Write the expiry date of your court order somewhere you’ll see it.
- Contact your social worker at least three months before it expires.
- Take the new or extended order to SASSA as soon as you get it.
- If SASSA calls you for a grant review because the order expired, respond quickly. See our grant review guide.
Lapsed orders have been a long-running problem. Researchers found that SASSA paid 253,256 foster child grants in 2024, down from 416,016 in 2018, and that tens of thousands of orders lapsed over the past decade because there weren’t enough social workers (Better Care Network, 2025).
Does the grant stop at 18?
Usually the grant ends when the child turns 18. But the Children’s Act (section 176) allows a young person in foster care to stay in that care after 18, up to the end of the year they turn 21, if they’re still at school or in further education or training and the provincial department approves it. The Department of Social Development has told Parliament that the foster child grant can continue up to 21 in these cases (PMG, August 2022). Speak to your social worker well before the child’s 18th birthday.
Foster child grant vs child support grant top-up
| Foster child grant | Child support grant top-up | |
|---|---|---|
| Amount (2026) | R1,300 from October | R870 (R580 + R290) |
| Court order needed | Yes | No |
| Social worker | Yes, for the court process | Not needed to apply |
| Means test | No | Yes, on the caregiver’s income |
| Best for | Children who need formal protection | Orphans living with relatives |
Since June 2022, many relatives caring for orphans use the child support grant top-up instead, because it avoids the court process. The foster child grant pays more but takes longer to get. Our guide to the SASSA child support grant explains the top-up.
SASSA foster child grant payment dates
The foster child grant is paid with the other children’s grants on the third payment day. For November 2026 that’s Tuesday 3 November, and for December 2026 it’s Friday 4 December. See all months on our SASSA payment dates page, and the other grants in our SASSA grants guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the SASSA foster child grant in 2026?
R1,290 a month from April 2026 and R1,300 from October 2026, per foster child.
Is the foster child grant means-tested?
No. Your income and assets do not affect the foster child grant.
What do I need to apply for the foster child grant?
A children’s court order placing the child with you, your ID, and the child’s birth certificate. Apply at a SASSA office.
What happens if the foster care court order expires?
The grant can be suspended until the order is extended. Ask your social worker to extend it before it expires.
Can the foster child grant continue after 18?
Yes, in some cases. If the young person stays in foster care while still at school or in training, the grant can continue up to 21.
Can a grandmother get the foster child grant?
Yes, if a children’s court places the grandchild in her foster care. Relatives can also use the child support grant top-up, which needs no court order.
When is the foster child grant paid?
On the third payment day each month, with the other children’s grants: 3 November and 4 December 2026.
About this guide
Written and checked by N Chris, for SASSA Status Check Help. This guide was checked against the Social Assistance Act, the Children’s Act, Parliament’s Budget summary, a 2022 Department of Social Development briefing to Parliament and Better Care Network research. We are not SASSA or a legal adviser. Read how we verify information.