South Africa · Care Dependency Grant · 2026/2027
Independent informational guide · Last reviewed July 2026
The Care Dependency Grant currently provides R2,400 per month to an approved caregiver of a child under 18 who has a severe disability and requires full-time and special care.
The grant is administered by the South African Social Security Agency, commonly known as SASSA. A parent, primary caregiver or court-appointed foster parent may apply when the child and applicant meet the applicable requirements.
Approval is not based on the name of a medical condition alone. SASSA considers the child’s level of disability and care needs, the caregiver’s circumstances, residency, medical assessment and the applicable means test.
Eligibility and continued payment remain subject to SASSA assessment and review.
Detailed eligibility guide
Review the age, caregiving, medical, residency and financial criteria used for this grant.
REVIEW THE FULL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA →Related informational article on this website
Grant overview
What is the Care Dependency Grant?
The Care Dependency Grant is intended to help a caregiver meet some of the costs associated with caring for a child who has a severe physical or mental disability.
The child must require full-time and special care. A state medical officer must assess the child before the application can be approved.
Main requirements
Who may be able to apply?
The following conditions form part of the Care Dependency Grant assessment:
- ✓ The applicant is the child’s parent, primary caregiver or court-appointed foster parent.
- ✓ The applicant is a South African citizen, permanent resident or recognised refugee.
- ✓ The applicant and child live in South Africa.
- ✓ The child is younger than 18.
- ✓ The child has a severe disability and needs full-time and special care.
- ✓ The child is not permanently cared for in a state-funded institution.
- ✓ The applicant and spouse meet the applicable means test, except where the applicant is a foster parent.
The detailed eligibility guide explains the medical assessment, means test, residency rules and documents that may be requested.
Read the complete Care Dependency Grant eligibility guide →
Foster parents
Different rules may apply to a foster parent
The Care Dependency Grant means-test income limit does not apply to foster parents.
A foster parent caring for a child with a severe disability may apply for both the Foster Child Grant and the Care Dependency Grant for the same child, provided the relevant requirements are met.
Application and payment
How the process generally works
Applications are administered through SASSA. Applicants generally need to provide identification, the child’s birth certificate, income or marital information where applicable, proof of the caregiving relationship and the required medical or assessment records.
The child is referred for assessment by a state medical officer, and the application form is completed in the presence of a SASSA officer. Processing an application may take up to three months, and the service is free.
Application and payment guide
See which documents may be requested, how payment methods work and when a grant may be reviewed. Read the Care Dependency Grant payment guide →
If the application is not approved
An applicant has the right to appeal
If an application is not approved, SASSA will inform the applicant in writing of the reason. An applicant who disagrees with the decision may appeal to the Minister of Social Development at the national office of the Department of Social Development.
Missing or stopped payment
Ask for the exact reason before trying to correct it
A missing payment does not automatically mean that the grant has ended. It can be connected to a review, changed circumstances, payment information or another administrative issue.
SASSA may suspend or end a Care Dependency Grant in circumstances such as:
- ✗ The child’s circumstances change.
- ✗ The caregiver does not cooperate with a required review.
- ✗ Fraud, misrepresentation or an approval error is identified.
- ✗ The child is admitted permanently to a state institution.
- ✗ The grant is not claimed for three consecutive months.
- ✗ The child turns 18, leaves South Africa or passes away.
When the child turns 18
The Care Dependency Grant does not continue automatically
The Care Dependency Grant lapses when the child turns 18.
The young adult may separately be assessed for the Disability Grant, but this requires a new application and its own eligibility assessment.
Read how Disability Grant eligibility is assessed →
Frequently asked questions
Continue with the detailed criteria
Review the medical assessment, means test, residency and caregiving requirements before preparing an application.
READ THE FULL ELIGIBILITY GUIDE →Continues to a related informational article on this website
Verify current information
Grant amounts, eligibility rules and payment dates can change. Confirm important details through an official source before applying or travelling.
South African Government Care Dependency Grant information → SASSA Services Portal grant information → Official 2026/2027 grant amounts and payment schedule →