Monthly Grant Amount: R1,295 per child

Foster Child Grant

The Foster Child Grant provides R1,295 per month to foster parents who have been awarded a court order to care for a child who is not their biological child.

Last reviewed:

Grant Amount

R1,295

Per child per month

Requirement

Court Order

Required

Application

In Person

At SASSA office

What is the Foster Child Grant?

The Foster Child Grant is a monthly SASSA payment made to foster parents who have been legally appointed by a children's court to care for a child who is not their own. The grant helps cover the costs of raising the child, including food, clothing, schooling and general care, and currently pays R1,295 per child per month.

Unlike the Child Support Grant, the Foster Child Grant requires a formal court order placing the child in foster care. This legal step is what distinguishes foster care from ordinary caregiving, and it is why the grant is higher — foster parents take on court-supervised legal responsibility for the child's wellbeing.

Importantly, the Foster Child Grant is not means-tested, so the foster parent's income does not affect eligibility. The grant continues while the court order is valid and the child is under 18 (or up to 21 if the child is still in school), after which the order must be reviewed or extended by the court.

Eligibility Requirements

Foster Parent Requirements:

  • Have a valid court order placing the child in your care
  • South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee
  • Living in South Africa

Child Requirements:

  • Under 18 years old
  • Placed in foster care by court order
  • Living with the foster parent
Required Documents

  • Court Order

    Original court order placing child in foster care

  • Foster Parent's ID

    Original South African ID

  • Child's Birth Certificate

    Original unabridged birth certificate

  • Proof of Address

    Utility bill or affidavit

Apply at SASSA Office

Foster Child Grant applications must be made in person with your court order.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the Foster Child Grant per month?
The Foster Child Grant is R1,295 per child per month. It is higher than the Child Support Grant because foster parents take on additional legal and caregiving responsibilities for a child placed in their care by a court.
Do I need a court order for the Foster Child Grant?
Yes. A valid court order placing the child in your foster care is compulsory for this grant. Without a court order you cannot receive the Foster Child Grant, but you may qualify for the Child Support Grant instead if you are the child’s primary caregiver.
Is the Foster Child Grant means-tested?
No. The Foster Child Grant is not subject to the income means test that applies to the Child Support Grant. Eligibility is based on the court order and the foster relationship rather than on the foster parent’s income.
What happens when the foster court order expires?
Foster care court orders are granted for a set period and must be extended by the court before they expire. If the order lapses, the grant can be suspended, so it is important to renew the order in good time through the children’s court and social worker.

Conclusion

The Foster Child Grant provides R1,295 per month to help foster parents raise a child placed in their care by a court. The defining requirement is the court order — it is what makes you eligible, and because the grant is not means-tested, your income does not affect the outcome.

To keep the grant active, make sure the foster care court order is extended before it expires, and apply in person at your nearest SASSA office with the original order and supporting documents. If you are caring for a relative's child without a court order, consider the Child Support Grant instead. All SASSA applications are 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.