The grant is given for each individual child. So if a foster parent looks after more children, they will receive more money in total. The aim is to help foster parents pay for the fostered children’s needs. This guide will explain all the important details about the Foster Grant. It will include who can get the grant, how to apply for it, what papers you need to provide, and answers questions about the grant.
Foster Care Grant Overview
The Foster Care Grant is money given every month to foster parents by the South African government. This money helps foster parents afford to care for the children they look after. The government gives foster parents this financial help so they have less money problems. It also supports them to properly care for the fostered children.
Eligibility Requirements
Here are the simplified requirements for the Grant: To qualify, you must meet certain rules. It’s important to check you meet all the rules to avoid delays or being turned down.
- Citizenship: You must be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee.
- Current foster care: You must already be fostering at least one child when applying. They won’t approve it if you only plan to foster after getting the grant.
- Living in SA: Both you and the foster child must live in South Africa.
- Court order: A court must say the child can live with you as a foster parent. The court paper must give reasons like the child has no parents or was neglected/hurt.
- Child’s age: The foster child must be under 18 years old.
Also read Which Bank Does SASSA Use?
Application Process
You can apply either online or in-person at a SASSA office.
In-person:
- Go to the nearest SASSA office during open hours
- Ask for the application form and fill it out with help from a SASSA worker
- Get a receipt as proof you submitted
Online:
- Go to the SASSA website and find the online application
- Fill out and submit the form digitally
- They may ask for more papers – send those by mail or upload online
The key first step is getting the court foster care order before applying for the actual grant. Then you can choose to apply online or directly at the SASSA office.
Don’t miss to follow SASSA Status Check.
Required Documents for Application
Here are the main documents needed for the application:
- Foster child’s birth certificate or sworn statement if unavailable
- Your South African ID card or sworn statement if unavailable
- For refugees, refugee permit and ID
- Your spouse’s SA ID or sworn statement if unavailable
- To prove your relationship status:
- Marriage certificate if married
- Divorce order if divorced
- Death certificate if spouse passed away
- Sworn statement for other statuses like living with a partner
- The court order saying the child is legally in your care as foster parent
Make sure you have these papers ready to submit with your application. A sworn statement or affidavit can be used temporarily if some documents like IDs are unavailable. The key one is the court foster care order.
How Much Is SASSA Foster Grant?
The Foster Grant amount is R1130 per child per month. This amount is reviewed and subject to increase every six months to account for inflation and the rising cost of living. Read about How to Buy Airtime?
The main goal of the grant is to financially support foster parents looking after children who need care. This allows the children to grow up in a caring home instead of a facility. SASSA makes sure foster families meet all the rules before receiving the monthly grant payments.
