SSASSA Status Check
Home/Grants/Care Dependency Grant
R2 315 · Full-time care

Care Dependency Grant

This grant supports parents and caregivers of a child under 18 who — because of a severe mental or physical disability — needs permanent, full-time home care.

Amount

R2 315 per child per month. Caregivers can also apply for a Child Support Grant for the same child, provided all other rules are met.

Who qualifies

  • Caregiver is a South African citizen, permanent resident or refugee.
  • The child is younger than 18 and living in South Africa.
  • A state-appointed medical officer confirms the child has a severe disability requiring permanent home care.
  • Caregiver and (if married) their spouse pass the means test.
  • The child is not being cared for in a state-funded institution for more than six months.

Means test

Caregiver statusIncome limit / year
SingleR246 000
Married (combined)R492 000

Foster parents caring for a court-placed child with a severe disability apply for the Care Dependency Grant without a means test.

Medical assessment

SASSA refers the child to a state-employed medical practitioner. The doctor completes a Medical Assessment Report specifically for care-dependency grants — general disability certificates from private doctors are not accepted.

Documents

  • Caregiver's ID.
  • Child's birth certificate.
  • Proof of address, marital status, and income.
  • Court order if you are the child's foster parent.
  • Completed medical assessment report from the SASSA-appointed doctor.

How to apply

  1. Book an appointment at a SASSA local office.
  2. Complete the Care Dependency Grant form with an officer.
  3. Take the child to the medical assessment SASSA arranges.
  4. Await the outcome within 90 days.

Both grants can run together. A caregiver may receive the Child Support Grant and the Care Dependency Grant for the same child, if the child meets both sets of criteria. That's roughly R2 875 per month combined.