Care Dependency Grant: A Grant for Severely Disabled Children.Money as a Care Dependency Grant is paid directly to the parent, guardian, or foster parent of the child for any essential living or medical costs. Source: According to the South African Social Security Agency Act of 2004, the South African government is administering the Care Dependency Grant through SASSA as financial assistance to families that care for children with severe disabilities. As of 2025, this would continue to be one of the major types of social support that assure these vulnerable children are given proper care. Eligibility, frequency of payment, and amounts paid are all discussed here.
What Type of Grant Is the Care Dependency Grant?
Those below 18 years of age with severe physical or mental disabilities and are in need of permanent full-time care are target beneficiaries of this grant. Whereas the Child Support Grant may have applied in some form or the other to families with ordinary children, the Care Dependency Grant is meant for households where the child’s disability places extra financial and caregiving burdens on the family. The money is paid directly to the parent, guardian.
Eligibility Requirements in 2025: To satisfy the Grant, the requirements related to the child and the caregiver should be met:
- Child Requirements
- Should be under 18 years.
- Must be severely disabled as certified by some medical practitioner appointed by the State.
May not be set for permanent care in any state institution such as a state hospital or any residential care centre.
Caregiver Requirements
- Must be a citizen of South Africa, a permanent resident, or a refugee.
- Must permanently reside with the child in South Africa.
- Must pass the means test.
- An unmarried caregiver must earn less than R223,200 per year.
- The combined income of a married couple must not exceed R446,400 per year. Foster parents may also apply for this grant, and sometimes a more relaxed approach is taken towards the means test.
Grant Amount for 2025: The Care Dependency Grant was adjusted in April 2025, in accordance with the national budget, to keep pace with the rising cost of living. The current amount is R2,315 per child per month. The increase is in line with those granted to other social grants, such as the old age and disability grants, and will impose an extra layer of relief on families already costed for care and treatment.
Dates of Payment for 2025
Sassa applies staggered payments so that the money-collection points do not get overcrowded. Care Dependency Grant payments come under the category of “Children’s and Other Grants” that are generally paid near the end of the month after payment of Old Age Grants and Disability Grants. Payments for the remaining months of 2025 will be made on the following dates:
- October, Monday 6
- November, Thursday 6
- December, Thursday 4
Beneficiaries are urged to exercise patience rather than rush on the first payment date, as they may withdraw the money placed in their bank accounts on subsequent payoff days.
Reviews, Suspensions and Lapsing
Like other SASSA grants, the Care Dependency Grant is subject to regular reviews. Beneficiaries are notified in advance to provide updated medical or financial information.The grant may be suspended if:
- The child no longer meets disability criteria.
- The caregiver fails to cooperate with the review process.
- Fraud or misrepresentation is detected.
The grant automatically lapses when the child turns 18, or if the child is placed in permanent state-funded care.
also read : SASSA R700 Grant 2025: Is It Real? Eligibility, How to Apply & Payment Info