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R2,180 Every Month — The SASSA Grant for Families Caring for a Child With a Disability

South Africa · Care Dependency Grant · SASSA

If you are caring for a child with a severe disability in South Africa, the government provides R2,180 every month to help cover the cost of that care.

The Care Dependency Grant is a monthly payment from SASSA specifically designed for parents and caregivers of children who require full-time care due to a severe physical or mental disability.

It is one of the highest-value grants SASSA offers — and many families who qualify have never applied, simply because they didn’t know this support existed.

SEE IF YOUR CHILD QUALIFIES →

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R2,180 per month
0–18 years of age

Who can receive it

The grant is paid to the parent or primary caregiver of the child. SASSA assesses a few basic conditions:

  • The child is under 18 years old
  • The child has a severe physical or mental disability requiring full-time care
  • The caregiver is a South African citizen, permanent resident, refugee, or asylum seeker
  • The caregiver’s income falls below the SASSA means test threshold
  • The child is not living in a government-funded care institution
  • The disability is confirmed by a medical assessment
You do not need to be the biological parent to qualify. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and any adult who is the primary caregiver of the child can apply — as long as the other criteria are met.
CHECK THE FULL CRITERIA →

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What many families don’t know

Many caregivers of children with disabilities have never applied for this grant — not because they don’t qualify, but because they assumed the process would be too complicated or that their child’s condition wouldn’t meet the criteria.

⚠ SASSA assesses a wide range of conditions. Both physical and mental disabilities are considered — and the grant covers children who require care at home, not just those in specialist facilities.

Before applying — or if payments have stopped — there are specific criteria worth checking first.

SEE WHAT CONDITIONS QUALIFY →

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Already receiving but payments stopped?

Some caregivers who received this grant for months had their payments paused after a routine SASSA data check — without any explanation. A lapsed medical assessment or outdated personal details is enough to trigger an automatic suspension.

CHECK IF YOUR GRANT IS STILL ACTIVE →

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Frequently asked questions

What is the Care Dependency Grant?
The Care Dependency Grant is a monthly payment of R2,180 provided by SASSA to parents or primary caregivers of children under 18 who have a severe disability requiring full-time care.
Can I receive both the Care Dependency Grant and the Child Support Grant?
No. SASSA does not allow both grants to be received for the same child at the same time. The Care Dependency Grant is the higher-value option and is specifically designed for children requiring full-time care — it replaces the Child Support Grant in these cases.
Does the child need to be living at home to qualify?
The child must be in the caregiver’s primary care and not residing in a government-funded institution. Children cared for at home by a parent or family member qualify as long as all other criteria are met.
What types of disability qualify?
Both physical and mental disabilities are assessed. The key requirement is that the disability is severe enough to require full-time care and supervision. A medical assessment from an HPCSA-registered doctor is required to confirm the condition.
Is this grant still active in 2025?
Yes. The Care Dependency Grant is a permanent SASSA programme. Applications are accepted at any time through official SASSA offices or the portal at sassa.gov.za.
SEE THE FULL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA →

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