Everything You Need to Know About the SASSA Care Dependency Grant in 2026
Last Updated: February 2026
Care Dependency Grant Key Facts for 2026
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Who Receives It | Primary caregiver of a severely disabled child |
| Grant Amount | R2,190 per child per month |
| Child Age | Under 18 years |
| Medical Assessment | Required |
| Means Tested | Yes |
| Processing Time | Up to 90 days |
| Payment Day | Same cycle as Disability Grant |
| Official Helpline | 0800 60 10 11 |
Related guides:
What the Care Dependency Grant Is
The Care Dependency Grant is a monthly social grant paid by SASSA to the primary caregiver of a child under 18 who has a severe disability requiring permanent home care. It is designed to help caregivers meet the significant additional costs of caring for a child whose disability means they cannot be left without constant supervision and assistance.
The Care Dependency Grant pays R2,190 per child per month, which is the same amount as the Disability Grant and the Older Persons Grant. This is significantly more than the Child Support Grant because it reflects the substantial additional demands placed on caregivers of severely disabled children.
The grant is means-tested and requires a medical assessment confirming the child’s disability and their need for permanent home care. Both conditions must be met for the grant to be approved.
Care Dependency Grant Amount in 2026
The Care Dependency Grant amount is R2,190 per child per month as of the 2025/2026 financial year. This amount is reviewed annually as part of the national budget process each February. For the most current grant amount confirm on sassa.gov.za.
If you are caring for more than one child with a severe disability, you can apply for the Care Dependency Grant for each qualifying child separately. Each qualifying child generates a separate R2,190 monthly payment.
Who Qualifies for the Care Dependency Grant
The caregiver must:
Be the primary caregiver responsible for the daily care of the child. Be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee with a valid refugee status permit. Be resident in South Africa. Meet the Care Dependency Grant means test income and asset thresholds. Not already be receiving the Foster Child Grant or Child Support Grant for the same child.
The child must:
Be under 18 years of age. Be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee with a valid refugee status permit. Have a severe disability confirmed by a SASSA-appointed medical officer that requires permanent home care. Not be cared for in a state-funded institution such as a state special needs school with residential care or a government care facility. The grant is specifically for children being cared for at home, not in institutional settings.
Care Dependency Grant means test thresholds:
The means test thresholds for the Care Dependency Grant are the same as those for the Older Persons Grant and Disability Grant.
Income limits: single caregiver annual income must not exceed R92,568 per year. Married couple combined annual income must not exceed R185,136 per year.
Asset limits: single caregiver assets must not exceed R1,227,600. Married couple combined assets must not exceed R2,455,200.
For a full breakdown of how the means test works see our SASSA Means Test Explained page.
What Counts as a Qualifying Disability for the Care Dependency Grant
The Care Dependency Grant is specifically for children with severe disabilities that require permanent home care. The key distinction from the Child Support Grant is not just that the child has a disability but that the disability is severe enough to require constant supervision and assistance with daily activities.
Conditions that commonly qualify include severe cerebral palsy requiring full-time care, severe intellectual disabilities where the child cannot function independently, severe autism spectrum disorder with significant functional impairment, multiple physical disabilities requiring constant assistance, severe neurological conditions causing significant functional impairment, and other conditions that prevent the child from performing basic daily activities without constant caregiver support.
The determining factor is not the diagnosis alone but the level of care required. The medical officer assesses whether the child requires permanent home care, meaning they cannot be left unsupervised and need constant assistance with daily activities such as feeding, washing, dressing, and mobility.
The Medical Assessment Process
The medical assessment is mandatory for all Care Dependency Grant applications. It confirms both the nature of the child’s disability and their need for permanent home care.
Step 1: Apply at a SASSA office.
Applications must begin in person at a SASSA office. Online applications are not available for the Care Dependency Grant because the medical assessment component requires in-person processing.
Step 2: Medical assessment appointment.
SASSA will schedule a medical assessment appointment for the child with a SASSA-appointed medical officer. The assessment may be at a SASSA office, a government health facility, or another designated location.
Bring all existing medical documentation for the child including specialist reports, hospital discharge summaries, therapy assessments from occupational therapists, physiotherapists, or speech therapists, school reports if applicable, and any other documentation describing the child’s condition and functional limitations.
Step 3: Functional evaluation.
The medical officer assesses the child’s condition and functional limitations. They evaluate the child’s ability to perform basic daily activities independently, the level of supervision and care required, whether the need for care is permanent or temporary, and whether home care is appropriate or whether institutional care is required.
Step 4: Medical officer recommendation.
The medical officer completes a standardised assessment form and recommends whether the child’s condition meets the threshold for the Care Dependency Grant and for what period.
Step 5: Final decision.
SASSA reviews the medical officer’s recommendation alongside your means test results and documentation and makes the final decision. Processing may take up to 90 days. You will be notified by SMS and in writing.
Documents Required To Apply
For the caregiver:
Original South African ID document. Proof of residence not older than three months. Proof of income if employed such as three most recent payslips, or an affidavit confirming no income. Proof of assets if applicable such as a bank statement or property documents. Bank account details for payment.
For the child:
The child’s birth certificate. The child’s original ID document or birth certificate. All available medical records, specialist reports, therapy assessments, and hospital documentation describing the child’s condition and care needs.
For married caregivers:
Marriage certificate and spouse’s ID document and proof of income or assets for the combined means test assessment.
How To Apply for the Care Dependency Grant
Step 1: Visit your nearest SASSA office.
Take all required documents for both yourself and the child. Tell the official you want to apply for the Care Dependency Grant. Arrive early to minimise waiting time.
Step 2: Complete the application form.
A SASSA official will assist you to complete the application form and capture your details. They will review your documents and confirm that everything required is in order.
Step 3: Receive your medical assessment appointment.
SASSA will schedule the child’s medical assessment appointment. Keep your appointment letter or SMS confirming the date, time, and location.
Step 4: Attend the medical assessment.
Take the child and all medical documentation to the assessment. The more comprehensive your documentation, the better the medical officer can assess the child’s condition and care needs.
Step 5: Wait for the outcome.
Track your application on the SASSA services portal using your application reference number. If 90 days pass without a decision, contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11.
Care Dependency Grant Versus Child Support Grant
Many caregivers of disabled children are unsure whether to apply for the Care Dependency Grant or the Child Support Grant. Here is the key distinction.
| Feature | Care Dependency Grant | Child Support Grant |
|---|---|---|
| Grant amount | R2,190 per child | R530 per child |
| Medical assessment | Required | Not required |
| Disability required | Yes, severe and requiring permanent home care | No |
| Means test | Yes, higher thresholds | Yes, lower thresholds |
| Institutional care | Not eligible | Not applicable |
If your child has a severe disability requiring permanent home care, apply for the Care Dependency Grant. The amount is more than four times higher than the Child Support Grant. If your child has a mild disability or a condition that does not require permanent home care, apply for the Child Support Grant instead.
You cannot receive both grants for the same child simultaneously.
Care Dependency Grant Payment Dates 2026
The Care Dependency Grant follows the same payment schedule as the Disability Grant.
| Month | Payment Date |
|---|---|
| January 2026 | 7 January 2026 |
| February 2026 | 4 February 2026 |
| March 2026 | 4 March 2026 |
| April 2026 | 2 April 2026 |
| May 2026 | 6 May 2026 |
| June 2026 | 3 June 2026 |
| July 2026 | 2 July 2026 |
| August 2026 | 5 August 2026 |
| September 2026 | 2 September 2026 |
| October 2026 | 2 October 2026 |
| November 2026 | 4 November 2026 |
| December 2026 | 2 December 2026 |
When a payment date falls on a public holiday or weekend SASSA moves it to the preceding working day. For official confirmation see sassa.gov.za/payment-dates-for-2025-2026-financial-year.
How Your Care Dependency Grant Is Paid
SASSA card at ATMs and retailers. Use your SASSA gold card at any ATM displaying the Maestro or Visa logo and at participating retailers for purchases and cash back.
Bank account. Link your Care Dependency Grant to your personal bank account for automatic payment on the payment date. All major banks are supported including Capitec, TymeBank, Absa, Standard Bank, FNB, and Nedbank.
Retail collection. Cash collection at Pick n Pay, Boxer, Shoprite, Checkers, and Usave if your grant is set up for retail collection.
Post Office. Significantly disrupted. If you are still collecting at the Post Office and experiencing problems update your payment method to a bank account at a SASSA office.
Common Care Dependency Grant Problems and How To Fix Them
Application declined because disability does not meet threshold.
If the medical officer determined the child’s disability does not meet the Care Dependency Grant threshold, you have the right to appeal and request a second medical opinion from a different SASSA-appointed medical officer. Bring additional specialist reports and therapy assessments that more clearly document the child’s care needs. Contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 to initiate the appeal process.
Application declined on means test grounds.
If your income or assets exceed the means test thresholds, the application will be declined even if the child qualifies medically. If your financial circumstances change and your income drops below the threshold, reapply. Contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 for guidance.
Payment not received.
Wait three working days after the payment date. Check your bank statement for deposits under non-SASSA references. Contact your bank to confirm whether a deposit was received and accepted or returned. Contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 for your payment reference number.
Grant suspended after a review.
SASSA conducts periodic reviews of Care Dependency Grant recipients including means test reassessments. If your grant is suspended contact SASSA immediately on 0800 60 10 11 to understand the reason and what documents are needed to reinstate it.
Child turns 18.
The Care Dependency Grant stops when the child turns 18. If the person continues to require full-time care as an adult they may qualify for the Disability Grant in their own right. Contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 well before the child’s 18th birthday to understand the transition process and ensure care support is not interrupted. The caregiver may also qualify for the Grant-in-Aid if the adult child receives the Disability Grant and the caregiver continues to provide full-time care.
Copy and Paste Template for Care Dependency Grant Payment Follow-Up
Subject: Care Dependency Grant Payment Not Received — [Your ID Number] — [Month Year]
Message:
Dear SASSA,
I am writing to follow up on my Care Dependency Grant payment for [Month Year] which has not reflected in my account. My payment date has passed and funds have not been received.
Full name: [Your full name as on your ID]
ID number: [Your 13-digit ID number]
Phone number registered to grant: [Your registered phone number]
Child’s name: [Child’s full name]
Child’s ID number: [Child’s ID number if available]
Bank account on file: [Account number and bank name if known]
Please confirm whether payment was processed for this month, the payment reference number, and which account payment was sent to. If payment failed or was returned, please advise on reprocessing.
Thank you.
Scam Awareness for Care Dependency Grant Applicants
Caregivers of severely disabled children are particularly vulnerable to scammers who exploit the stress and financial pressure of their situation.
Common scams include people offering to fast-track the medical assessment or guarantee approval for a fee, calls claiming the grant has been suspended and asking for a fee to reinstate it, fake medical officers visiting homes claiming to conduct SASSA assessments, and messages claiming the grant amount has increased and asking caregivers to update their details through a link.
SASSA never charges fees for applications, medical assessments, or grant payments. SASSA-appointed medical officers conduct assessments at designated locations not at private homes. Never share your banking PIN, OTP, or SASSA card PIN with anyone. All legitimate SASSA processes are completely free.
Summary: Care Dependency Grant at a Glance
- The grant is R2,190 per child per month for primary caregivers of children under 18 with a severe disability requiring permanent home care.
- A medical assessment by a SASSA-appointed medical officer is mandatory.
- A means test applies using the same income and asset thresholds as the Disability Grant.
- Apply in person at a SASSA office with your ID, the child’s birth certificate, and all available medical documentation.
- If the child’s condition does not meet the threshold on first assessment, you have the right to appeal and request a second medical opinion.
- When the child turns 18, contact SASSA well in advance to understand the transition to the Disability Grant.
- Contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 for all payment and application queries.
Care Dependency Grant FAQs
What is the difference between the Care Dependency Grant and the Child Support Grant?
The Care Dependency Grant pays R2,190 per child per month and is for children with severe disabilities requiring permanent home care. It requires a medical assessment. The Child Support Grant pays R530 per child and requires no medical assessment. If your child has a severe disability requiring permanent home care, apply for the Care Dependency Grant as the amount is more than four times higher.
Can I receive both the Care Dependency Grant and the Child Support Grant for the same child?
No. You cannot receive both grants for the same child simultaneously. Apply for the Care Dependency Grant if your child qualifies as it pays a significantly higher amount.
Does the child need to be my biological child to qualify?
No. The grant is paid to the primary caregiver regardless of their relationship to the child. A grandparent, aunt, uncle, or other adult who is the primary caregiver of a severely disabled child can apply.
What medical documentation should I bring to the assessment?
Bring all available documentation including specialist reports from neurologists, paediatricians, or other relevant specialists, occupational therapy and physiotherapy assessments, hospital discharge summaries, school reports if applicable, and any other documentation describing the child’s condition and care needs. The more comprehensive your documentation the stronger your application.
What if the medical officer says the child does not qualify?
You have the right to appeal and request a second medical assessment by a different SASSA-appointed medical officer. Bring additional or updated specialist reports that more clearly document the child’s care needs. Contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 to initiate the appeal and second assessment process.
What happens when the child turns 18?
The Care Dependency Grant stops automatically when the child turns 18. Contact SASSA well before the child’s 18th birthday to understand whether the person now qualifies for the Disability Grant in their own right. If they do, the caregiver may also qualify for the Grant-in-Aid if they continue to provide full-time care.
Can I receive the Care Dependency Grant for more than one child?
Yes. If you are caring for more than one child with a severe disability each child must be assessed individually. Each qualifying child generates a separate R2,190 monthly payment.
What if my child is in a state special needs school during the week but comes home on weekends?
The Care Dependency Grant is specifically for children requiring permanent home care. If your child is in residential care at a state-funded institution during the week, this may affect eligibility. Contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 to confirm whether your specific arrangement qualifies.
My income is above the means test threshold but my child clearly needs permanent care. What can I do?
If your income exceeds the threshold you do not currently qualify financially even if the child qualifies medically. If your financial circumstances change and your income drops below the threshold, reapply. Contact Legal Aid South Africa on 0800 110 110 for advice if you believe the means test is being applied incorrectly to your situation.
Can I receive the Grant-in-Aid in addition to the Care Dependency Grant?
The Grant-in-Aid is paid to recipients of the Older Persons Grant or Disability Grant who require full-time care, not to caregivers receiving the Care Dependency Grant. However if the child transitions to the Disability Grant at age 18 and continues to require full-time care, the caregiver may then qualify for the Grant-in-Aid. See our Grant-in-Aid page for details.
Official References
- SASSA services portal
- SASSA website
- SASSA payment dates 2025/2026
- SASSA helpline: 0800 60 10 11 (free, Monday to Friday)
- SASSA WhatsApp: 082 046 8553
- Legal Aid South Africa: 0800 110 110
- Black Sash: 072 663 3739
Information on this page is sourced from official SASSA announcements and verified against www.sassa.gov.za. For official queries contact SASSA directly at www.sassa.gov.za or call 0800 60 10 11.
