Child Support Grant 2026: R580 per child, per month
On this page (8 sections)
The Child Support Grant pays R580 a month for every child under 18 in your care, to the child's primary caregiver — which does not have to be a parent. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, older siblings and other relatives can claim, with no court order and no maintenance order needed. The income test is on the caregiver: under R5,800 a month single or R11,600 a month married. It is the most under-claimed grant in South Africa.
Who qualifies
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| The child | Under 18, born after 31 December 1993, living with you in South Africa |
| You | The child's primary caregiver — parent, grandparent, or any relative or adult caring for the child |
| Status | SA citizen, permanent resident or recognised refugee, and so is the child |
| Income | Under R5,800 a month if single (R69,600 a year); R11,600 a month if married (R139,200 a year) |
| Assets | No asset test for this grant |
| Limit | One grant per child. You may claim for every child in your care |
| Not payable if | The child is cared for in a state institution, or another person already receives a grant for that child |
The income test
Only the caregiver's income is tested — and, if you are married, your spouse's. The child's own circumstances, the other parent's income and any maintenance you may be owed but not receiving are not what decides this. There is no asset test at all, so property and savings do not enter into it. Compare with the other grants' means tests.
| Per month | Per year | |
|---|---|---|
| Single caregiver | R5,800 | R69,600 |
| Married caregiver (combined) | R11,600 | R139,200 |
Documents
- Your 13-digit bar-coded ID or smart ID card.
- The child's birth certificate — with the ID number, where the child has one.
- Proof that you are the primary caregiver: a clinic card, school records, or an affidavit from the school, ward councillor or a social worker.
- Proof of marital status if applicable.
- Three months' bank statements and proof of income, or an affidavit that you have none.
- For an orphaned child, the parents' death certificates — that unlocks the top-up.
How much a household can claim
| Children in your care | Monthly total |
|---|---|
| 1 | R580 |
| 2 | R1,160 |
| 3 | R1,740 |
| 4 | R2,320 |
| 5 | R2,900 |
And it stacks with your own grant. A 67-year-old grandmother raising two grandchildren receives her Older Persons Grant of R2,400 plus R1,160 in child grants — R3,560 a month. See can you receive two grants.
Child Support, Foster Child or the top-up?
| Route | Amount | What it needs | How long it takes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child Support Grant | R580 | Proof you are the primary caregiver | Up to 3 months |
| CSG top-up (orphans with relatives) | R860* | Both parents' death certificates — no court order | Up to 3 months |
| Foster Child Grant | R1,290 | A children's court placement order | Often a year or more, via a social worker and the court |
Keeping the grant
- Keep your cellphone number current with SASSA — review notices go there and nowhere else.
- The grant ends automatically when the child turns 18, and there is no extension.
- If the child moves to live with someone else, that person should claim; two people cannot hold a grant for one child.
- Moving provinces does not affect the grant — update your details at your new office.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Child Support Grant in 2026?
R580 per child per month from 1 April 2026, up from R560. A relative caring for an orphaned child can claim R860* with the top-up — that figure is marked * until we trace it to the Gazette.
Can a grandmother claim the Child Support Grant?
Yes. Any primary caregiver may claim — no court order and no parental consent are required. What proof works.
Do I need the father's details to apply?
No. The grant is claimed by the caregiver, and the other parent's participation is not required. Nor is a maintenance order.
Is there a limit on how many children I can claim for?
No fixed cap. One grant per child in your care, with SASSA verifying the caregiving relationship for each.
Does the Child Support Grant stop me getting SRD?
No. The child's grant belongs to the child. If you meet the SRD rules yourself you can hold both.
What happens when the child turns 18?
The grant lapses on the child's 18th birthday. If the young adult has a disability, apply for a Disability Grant in their own name.
Is there an asset test?
No. Only income is tested for this grant.
Verified information
- Responsible body
- South African Social Security Agency (SASSA)
- Official source
- sassa.gov.za
- Status
- Officially confirmed
- Date verified
- Confidence
- High confidence
R580 per child confirmed as the amount in force since 1 April 2026. Income thresholds and caregiver rules confirmed against SASSA and gov.za guidance.
SA Benefits is independent and not affiliated with SASSA or government. Editorial guidance on this page is clearly separated from official information — see how we verify.
What's changed on this page (1)
Published with the confirmed R580 amount, the exact income thresholds (R5,800/month single, R11,600/month married), and the primary-caregiver rule that lets grandparents and other relatives claim without a court order.
Site-wide corrections are logged publicly in the corrections register.
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