SASSA foster child grants are financial aid SASSA provides for 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. Foster parents are responsible for meeting the basic needs of their foster children, including food, clothing, and shelter.
They also have to provide medical attention, education, and other necessities. Grants for foster children are usually paid until the child turns 18. The grant will continue to be paid until the child reaches 21 years old if they are still in high or secondary school. When the child finishes school or earns income above the criteria for the means test, the grant payment will cease.
Foster Child Grant Application Procedure
To begin the grant application process, you will need a court order. This document validates that you are the legal foster parent of the child. The Department of Social Development’s social worker can obtain the court order when you make an appointment.
You can fill out an application for the SASSA Foster Child Grant in your closest SASSA branch once you receive the court order. The SASSA website has instructions for applying online.
If you’re too sick or old to fill out the application yourself, you can ask a family member, friend, or trusted person to do so. To permit someone to apply on your behalf, you must fill out a Power of Attorney and get it certified by a Commissioner of Oaths. The person applying for you should bring the Power of Attorney and the doctor’s letter explaining your inability to visit SASSA.
You can get the application form at SASSA and complete it in front of an officer, or you can fill it out yourself. If you are having trouble filling out the form yourself, the officer is available to assist you. The officer will conduct your interview or have your designated person do it.
After you have taken the interview, they will let you know if you are eligible for the grant. You will receive a stamped receipt after submitting your application. This stamp includes the name of the SASSA officer who helped you with your application and the Application ID. This receipt proves that you applied, even if you do not qualify.
Foster Child Grant Documents Required
When applying for a foster child grant, you must bring the following documentation (originals or certified copies).
- 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’t get a birth certificate or ID if you do not 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 counsellor, leader of the traditional culture, social worker licensed, religious leader recognized, or school principal), who can confirm you and your child.
- Department of Home Affairs documentation should confirm that you’ve applied for an identification card or birth certificate.
- 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 payment order for maintenance. (if available)
SASSA Child Foster Grant application is rejected, what next?
If you feel that the grant request was in error, you can ask the SASSA to review it. If you disagree, you can file an appeal against the SASSA decision even after the request for reconsideration is denied. You must appeal within 90 days of the date you submitted your application.
If you appeal, the Ministry of Social Development reviews your case and decides. If they agree with your appeal, they will reverse the SASSA decision. You will then start to receive payments. If your appeal is rejected, you will receive a written response.
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 may want to check your account balance after your grant is paid regularly.
- 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 SMS to the SASSA WhatsApp number 82 046 8553
- Call the SASSA toll-free number 800 601 011
Review of the SASSA Foster Child Grant
Every two years the court will renew the order. SASSA will then conduct an annual review. These reviews will ensure the foster child is still meeting the criteria for the grant, and the situation has not changed. The reviews are also conducted to confirm that you’re still alive. You should keep the application updated whenever there are changes in your child’s situation.
SASSA will notify you in writing before three months have passed, or you must submit your proof of life (or certificate) to SASSA. This written notice will include details on the location and date of the review.
If you receive your grant from a bank or institution, the SASSA requires that the certificate of life be submitted annually. If you’re bedridden, the SASSA will conduct the audit at your house. Once the SASSA officials have completed their visit, you will receive a receipt for your compliance review.
