The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) will implement increases to the Child Support Grant from April 2026 as part of the 2026 Budget. The increase is designed to help caregivers meet the costs of raising children amid ongoing economic pressures.
Grant update:
- Child Support Grant: R560 → R580 per month
- Foster Child Grant: R1,250 → R1,300 per month (phased increase: +R40 in April, +R10 in October)
- Other social grants—including Older Persons, Disability, Care Dependency, and War Veterans—have also been increased.
As highlighted in our earlier coverage of Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s 2026 Budget Speech, SASSA welcomed the announcement, noting the critical role grants play in supporting vulnerable children and families.
“Social grants provide a lifeline to the most vulnerable in society. This much-needed increase will help cushion our valued social grant beneficiaries against economic hardships,” said SASSA CEO, Mr Themba Matlou.
Who qualifies for the 2026 Child Support Grant and what caregivers must do
The Child Support Grant is intended to assist primary caregivers of children under 18 who need financial support. To ensure you receive the grant, caregivers must meet the following requirements and complete key steps:
1. Primary caregiver must:
- Be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or recognised refugee
- Live in South Africa
- Be the child’s primary caregiver (parent, grandparent, or legal guardian)
- Meet the income means test:
- Single caregiver: income below the approved annual threshold
- Married caregiver: combined household income below the approved threshold
2. Child must:
- Be under 18 years old
- Live with the primary caregiver
- Not be in a state institution
- Not receive another social grant
Additional requirements:
- Child must have a birth certificate
- Caregiver must have a valid ID
- If not the biological parent, proof of primary caregiving may be required
- Both caregiver and child must reside in South Africa
Important: An applicant may not apply for more than six non-biological children.
For step-by-step instructions, document checklists, and updates, visit the SASSA grant portal.
Clampdown and projected reductions for 2026/27
While the 2026 increase brings welcome relief, caregivers should be aware that SASSA’s stricter compliance checks may affect who receives grants:
- Around 26.5 million South Africans are expected to receive social grants, including the SRD, in 2026/27.
- Child Support Grant numbers are expected to drop due to tighter biometric checks, income verification, and eligibility reviews.
- Foster Care Grant recipients may also see reductions.
- These measures ensure grants go to those who genuinely qualify, protecting the programme from fraud.
Caregivers should:
- Keep all personal and child documents up to date
- Respond promptly to any SASSA verification requests
- Regularly check grant status to avoid missed payments
Additional resources
For full details and support, caregivers can visit:
