The Process To Apply For SASSA Foster Child Grant – All You Need To Know in 2024

SASSA Foster Child Grant

The SASSA Foster Child Grant, provided by SASSA, offers financial support to foster parents (non-biological parents). To help care for their foster children. The Foster child grant is also called a foster care grant. A foster child is one who is given to you by the court so you can take care of him/her.

A foster child is a kid that a court gives you to take care of because they have no family, were left alone, mistreated, ignored, or are in danger. You’re there to help them feel safe, happy and loved. Also, as a foster parent, it’s your responsibility to take care of the foster child like you would your own child. This means ensuring they have enough to eat, clothes to wear, a safe place to sleep, can go to a doctor when sick, and can go to school to study. 

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The grant to care for foster children is usually given out until the child is 18 years old. But if the child is 18 and still in high school. They will continue receiving this money until they are 21. This way, they can keep studying and complete high school without worrying.

Latest Form for SASSA Foster Child Grant

Amount Of SASSA Foster Child Grant In 2024

The current amount for the Foster Child Grant is R1,130 per child per month. From April 1, 2024, the grant is expected to increase by an extra R10 per child per month. Also, this amount is checked and can be changed every six months, on April 1 and October 1, to ensure it’s enough for the needs of foster children.

Amount Of SASSA Foster Child Grant

The Eligibility Criteria for Getting the SASSA Foster Child Support

Before you apply for the foster grant, make sure that you meet the eligibility criteria for the grant.

  • Citizenship: You must be either a South African citizen, have refugee status, or a person allowed to live in South Africa permanently.
  • Foster Parent Requirement: You need to be the foster parent of the child, and the child should still be living with you.
  • Living in South Africa: It’s important that both you, as the foster parent, and the foster child live in South Africa to be eligible for the foster child grant.
  • Court Order Foster Care: The reason a child is given to you as a foster child is a court decision. This usually happens because the child is:
  • Orphaned, meaning they have lost their parents.
  • At risk, meaning the child is in a situation where they could be harmed.
  • Abused shows that the child has been harmed physically, emotionally, or in other ways.
  • Neglected, showing the child was not cared for properly by their parents.
  • Abandoned, which means their parents have left them without any care or support.
  • Age Requirement: The foster child needs to be younger than 18 years old.
  • Means Test Criteria for the Foster Child: The foster child must pass a means test to qualify for the grant.

Understanding the Means Test for Foster Child Grant

The means test helps the SASSA check the income status of foster children. This test ensures that this grant is given to only those kids who really need financial help. 

The grant is given to foster parents caring for children who need help because they don’t have a lot of money and are living in tough situations. Foster parents’ income will not be considered. Moreover, the means test checks how much money the foster child makes in a year. If they earn less than twice the amount of money the grant provides in a year, they can receive it.

Method Of Applying For Foster Child Grant

To apply for the foster child grant, you need an order paper from the court proving you’re officially the child’s foster parent. You should meet with a social worker who works for the Department of Social Development to get this order. They will help you get the court order you need. After getting the court order, you can now apply for the foster grant by visiting the SASSA office.

Latest Form for Foster Child Grant

Method Of Applying For SASSA Foster Child Grant

Apply By Visiting SASSA Office

You can apply for the grant in person by going to the SASSA office near you and following the steps below.

Getting the Form at a SASSA Office

  • First, you need to go to the nearest SASSA office
  • After going to the office, ask the workers to give you a foster grant application form.
  • They will give you an application form.
  • You have to fill the form in the presence of a SASSA officer. 
  • Be careful to write and put in all your information correctly.

Get Assistance If Needed

  • If you find filling out the form difficult or have questions, feel free to ask the SASSA staff for help.
  • They will help you in filling your form.

Submit Your Form to SASSA

  • After completing the application form, you must attach any other documents requested by SASSA and submit the form to SASSA.
  • Before submitting, double check your information again to be sure it’s accurate and current.

Get The Receipt

After you apply, SASSA will provide a receipt with the application date. The SASSA officer’s name who assisted you, and a reference number.

Keeping your receipt safe is important. This receipt is your proof that you applied for the SASSA foster child.

What Are Required Documents For SASSA Foster Child?

Below is the list of the documents needed for foster grant. You can bring original documents or copies of the documents.

What Are Required Documents For SASSA Foster Child Grant?

Identity Documents: 

For your identity, you need to bring the following documents.

  • Identity Card: You have to bring your ID card and your spouse’s card as well.
  • Birth Certificate: Bring the birth certificate of the foster child with you. If you do not have the child’s ID card and birth certificate, you can bring the following documents.
  • No ID Card? Don’t worry. If you don’t have an ID card, you must fill out an affidavit form. You must fill this form out in the presence of an Oath Commissioner who is not working with SASSA. You can get the form from SASSA.
  • Validation Form: A form signed by someone trustworthy, like a community counsellor, traditional leader, licensed social worker, religious leader, or school principal, who knows you and the child.
  • Proof from Home Affairs: A paper from the Department of Home Affairs that shows you’ve started applying for an ID or the child’s birth certificate.
  • Temporary ID Card: If you have a temporary id card, bring the temporary ID card from the Department of Home Affairs.
  • Baptismal Certificate: If you have a baptismal certificate for the child, bring that with you.
  • School Certificate: If the child has a school certificate, it’s good to bring it too.
  • Road to Health Clinic Card (RTHC): Bring the child’s Road to Health Clinic card if possible.

Marital Status: 

You must bring the following documents as proof of your marital status.

  • Marriage Certificate: Bring this if you’re married.
  • Divorce Decree: Needed if you’re divorced.
  • Death Certificate: Required if your spouse has died.
  • Affidavit or Sworn Statement: Use this if none of the above apply to you.
  • Custody Court Order: You must obtain legal custody of the child and prove that you are taking care of the child.

Few Methods to receive payments

You can use the following methods to receive the payments. SASSA will give you the grant money in the three ways given below.

  • Direct Deposit: The money goes straight into your bank or Postbank account. Remember, the bank can charge a small fee for this.
  • Cash Withdrawal: You can withdraw your money in cash at stores that work with SASSA, such as Pick n Pay, Shoprite, Boxer, Checkers, Usave, and Spar.6
  • Specific Institutions: If you’re at places like old age homes, disability centres, or with a non-profit organisation, you can get your payment there.

If you want to receive payment through bank accounts, you must complete the Consent Form for Bank Payment of SASSA Grant and submit the documents below.

  • ID Proof: Your ID, driver’s licence, or birth certificate.
  • Bank Account: Your account number, and it should be yours.
  • Bank Statements: Last three months’ statements with your name and account number.

Some Reasons Behind Suspending The Grant

  • If you don’t collect the grant money for three months.
  • If you’re out of the country for more than 90 days.
  • If you no longer have refugee status.
  • If you don’t help Sassa during a grant check-up.
  • If you lie or try to trick Sassa with false information.
  • If Sassa approved your grant by mistake, you are not eligible.

Foster Child Grant Restoration

If you feel your grant was unfairly suspended or you disagree with SASSA’s decision. You can ask SASSA to review it. You have 90 days from the date. The grant was suspended to appeal to the Ministry of Social Development at the National Department.

SASSA Foster Child Grant Restoration

What You Need to Do as a Grant Receiver

When you get a grant from SASSA, there are following points you must follow

  • Always tell SASSA if something changes with your income or personal details. 
  • If you move or your contact info changes, inform SASSA.
  • Make sure all the information you give to SASSA is true. 

Reasons Behind Lapsing Of Foster Child Grant

The foster child grant can stop for several reasons:

  • The child reaches 18 years old, or 21.
  • If the child is no longer living with you.
  • If you or the child move out of South Africa.
  • The child’s living conditions improve.
  • If there’s a mistake or change in the child’s legal status.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The grant is processed in almost three months. You will start getting the foster child grant when your application gets approved. 

If SASSA has rejected your grant application and you think they made the wrong decision. You can ask them to check it again. If they reject the application again and disagree with the decision. You can take your case to the Ministry of Social Development at the National Department. You need to do this within 90 days after you first applied. The Ministry will check out your appeal. If they decide you’re right, they will change SASSA’s decision, and you’ll start getting your grant money. If they don’t agree with you, they will tell you the reason for rejection.

You can use the following ways to check the status of your application.

  • Check Via the Official website
  • Check Through WhatsApp number that is 082-046-8553
  • Use Moya App
  • Calling on toll free number that is 0800-601011
  • Send an sms to 082-046-8553

You must not pay any charges to apply for the foster grant. It is free of cost.

Sassa will give you a reason for rejecting your application. You have the complete right to ask Sassa to reconsider its decision. If you feel that you are eligible for the grant, you can appeal to the Minister Of Social Development.

Conclusion

The Foster Child Grant provides financial help for people who care for foster children. Sassa offers money every month to ensure that these kids have what they need, such as food, a place to live, and school. If you’re caring for a child, follow the requirements to apply, like being the legal foster parent and living in South Africa. Keep your information with SASSA up to date so you can get your grant without any problems.

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