Monthly Grant Amount: R2,400 per child

Care Dependency Grant

The Care Dependency Grant provides R2,400 per month to caregivers of children under 18 who require permanent care due to severe mental or physical disabilities.

Last reviewed:

Grant Amount

R2,400

Per child per month

Requirement

Medical

Assessment required

Child Age

Under 18

Years old

What is the Care Dependency Grant?

The Care Dependency Grant is a monthly SASSA payment for caregivers of children under 18 who have a severe mental or physical disability that requires permanent home care. It recognises the significant extra costs and the round-the-clock care that these children need, and currently pays R2,400 per child per month.

The defining requirement is that the child needs permanent care because of their condition. A medical assessment by a SASSA-appointed doctor is compulsory and is used to confirm the severity of the disability and the need for full-time care. Conditions that may qualify include severe cerebral palsy, profound intellectual disability, severe autism, and other conditions that prevent the child from functioning independently.

The grant is paid in addition to the Child Support Grant, so a caregiver can receive both for the same child. It is means-tested, meaning the caregiver's income is assessed, although the thresholds are set to include most families caring for a severely disabled child.

Eligibility Requirements

Child Requirements:

  • Under 18 years old
  • Has a severe mental or physical disability
  • Requires permanent care
  • South African citizen
  • Not in a state-funded institution

Caregiver Requirements:

  • Primary caregiver of the child
  • South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee
  • Pass the means test
Required Documents

  • Caregiver's ID

    Original South African ID

  • Child's Birth Certificate

    Original unabridged birth certificate

  • Medical Reports

    Documentation of the child's disability

  • Proof of Income

    For the means test assessment

Apply at SASSA Office

Care Dependency Grant applications require a medical assessment.

Find SASSA Office
Related Grants
Child Support Grant (R580)Disability Grant (R2,400)
Need Help?
Contact SASSA

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the Care Dependency Grant per month?
The Care Dependency Grant is R2,400 per child per month, the same amount as the Disability Grant and Old Age Pension. It is paid to the caregiver of a child under 18 who has a severe disability requiring permanent care.
Who qualifies for the Care Dependency Grant?
The child must be under 18, a South African citizen or resident, and have a severe mental or physical disability confirmed by a medical assessment as requiring permanent home care. The caregiver must be the parent, foster parent or primary caregiver and must pass the income means test.
Is a medical assessment required for the Care Dependency Grant?
Yes. A SASSA-appointed doctor must assess the child and confirm that the disability is severe and requires full-time, permanent care. This medical report is central to the decision and should be supported by any hospital records or specialist reports you already have.
How is the Care Dependency Grant different from the Disability Grant?
The Care Dependency Grant is paid to a caregiver on behalf of a disabled child under 18, while the Disability Grant is paid to a disabled adult aged 18 to 59 for themselves. Both pay R2,400 per month and both require a medical assessment.

Conclusion

The Care Dependency Grant provides R2,400 per month to help families care for a child under 18 with a severe disability that needs permanent, full-time care. Because approval depends on the SASSA medical assessment, the most important preparation is gathering all of the child's medical records, specialist reports and hospital letters before you apply.

You can receive this grant alongside the Child Support Grant for the same child, which meaningfully increases the household's support. Apply in person at your nearest SASSA office with the child's birth certificate, your ID and proof of income — and remember that the application is always free.

Official Sources & References

The information on this page is based on and verified against the following official South African government sources:

This is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by SASSA or the South African government. Grant amounts, dates and eligibility rules can change — always confirm the latest details on the official SASSA website before acting.