Foster Care Grant 2026
Complete guide to the SASSA Foster Care Grant — current R1,290 monthly amount, court order requirements, eligibility criteria, and step-by-step application guide.
Foster Care Grant — Quick Facts 2026
What Is the Foster Care Grant?
The SASSA Foster Care Grant is a monthly payment to foster parents who have had a child legally placed in their care by a Children’s Court order. It is designed to help foster parents cover the basic needs of the child — food, clothing, healthcare, and education.
The grant pays R1,290 per child per month from April 2026, increased from R1,250 as part of the 2026/27 National Budget adjustments approved by National Treasury. There is no income or asset means test for foster parents — eligibility is based entirely on the court order and the citizenship requirements below.
Unlike most other SASSA grants, the Foster Care Grant is directly linked to a valid court order. The grant exists only for as long as the court order is active. When a court order expires, the grant stops automatically — even if the child is still in your care.
⚖️ The Court Order — The Most Important Requirement
A valid court order from the Children’s Court is the single most critical requirement for this grant. Without a valid, unexpired court order, SASSA cannot approve or continue paying the grant — regardless of how long the child has been in your care.
Court orders are typically issued for two years at a time. You must contact your assigned social worker at least 3 months before the order expires to have it extended. SASSA will also notify you 3 months in advance of your review date.
If the court order expires and is not renewed in time, your grant will stop. You will need to obtain a new court order and reapply to restart payments.
Who Qualifies for the Foster Care Grant?
The Foster Parent Must:
- Be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or recognised refugee
- Live in South Africa
- Have a valid court order from the Children’s Court placing the child in their foster care
- Be the person actually caring for the child on a daily basis
The Foster Child Must:
- Be legally placed in the foster parent’s care by a Children’s Court order
- Be under 18 years of age (or under 21 if still attending school and an extension is granted)
- Live in South Africa with the foster parent
- Not be cared for in a state institution
You Do NOT Qualify If:
- You do not have a valid Children’s Court order — informal arrangements do not qualify
- The child is 18 or older and no school attendance extension has been granted
- The court order has expired and not been renewed
- The child is living in a state-funded care institution
Documents Required to Apply
Bring original documents only — photocopies are not accepted by SASSA. Have all of these ready before your SASSA appointment:
How to Apply for the Foster Care Grant — Step by Step
Applications must be done in person at a SASSA office. The application is completely free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
- Obtain a court order from the Children’s Court Before approaching SASSA, you must first obtain a valid foster care order from your nearest Children’s Court. Contact your local Department of Social Development office or a social worker to start this process. Without a court order, SASSA cannot process your application.
- Gather all required documents Collect all original documents listed above — especially the court order, your ID, and the child’s birth certificate. Have your SASSA affidavit commissioned by a Commissioner of Oaths (available at any police station or magistrate’s court, free of charge).
- Visit your nearest SASSA office Go to your nearest SASSA office Monday to Friday between 07:30 and 16:00. Arrive early as queues can be long. You can find your nearest office at statussassacheck.co.za/contact-and-office-location.
- Complete the application form with a SASSA officer A SASSA officer will help you complete the application form. Submit all your original documents. SASSA will make copies and return the originals to you.
- Receive your receipt and reference number You will receive a receipt confirming your application date. Keep this — it is your proof of application and your payments will be backdated to this date once approved.
- Biometric verification SASSA will capture your fingerprints and photograph for identity verification against Home Affairs records. This is mandatory for all 2026 applications.
- Await approval (up to 3 months) Processing takes up to 3 months. If approved, payments are backdated to the date the court placed the child in your care — not just your SASSA application date. Check your status by calling 0800 60 10 11.
Renewing the Foster Care Grant — What You Must Do Every 2 Years
Because the Foster Care Grant is tied to a court order, it must be renewed every time the court order expires. Court orders are typically valid for 2 years. Here is what you need to do:
- Watch for SASSA’s 3-month advance notice SASSA will contact you 3 months before your court order expiry date to remind you to renew. Do not wait for this notice — start the renewal process early to avoid a gap in payments.
- Contact your social worker to renew the court order Your assigned Department of Social Development social worker handles the court order renewal. They will apply to the Children’s Court for an extension on your behalf. This process can take several weeks, so start early.
- Submit the renewed court order to SASSA Once the new court order is issued, take it to your nearest SASSA office along with your ID and the child’s birth certificate. SASSA will update your file and continue your grant payments.
Extending the Grant Beyond Age 18
The Foster Care Grant normally ends when the child turns 18. However, if the child is still attending school at age 18, the grant can be extended up to age 21.
When Is the Foster Care Grant Paid?
The Foster Care Grant is paid together with all other Children’s Grants — on the third day of SASSA’s monthly payment cycle, after the Older Persons Grant and Disability Grant.
| Month | Children’s Grants Payment Date |
|---|---|
| June 2026 ★ | Wednesday 3 June 2026 |
| July 2026 | Monday 6 July 2026 |
| August 2026 | Wednesday 5 August 2026 |
| September 2026 | Thursday 3 September 2026 |
| October 2026 | Monday 5 October 2026 |
| November 2026 | Wednesday 4 November 2026 |
| December 2026 | Thursday 3 December 2026 |
| January 2027 | Thursday 8 January 2027 |
| February 2027 | Wednesday 4 February 2027 |
| March 2027 | Wednesday 4 March 2027 |
★ Current month. If a payment date falls on a public holiday, SASSA pays on the next available business day.
Common Reasons for Foster Care Grant Rejection
| Rejection Reason | What It Means | How to Fix It |
|---|---|---|
| No valid court order | You do not have a Children’s Court order, or the order has expired | Contact your social worker or the Department of Social Development to obtain or renew the court order, then reapply |
| Court order not in your name | The court order names a different person as the foster parent | The grant must be applied for by the person named in the court order. Apply to the court to have the order amended if necessary |
| Child over 18 with no extension | The child has turned 18 and no school attendance extension was submitted | If the child is still in school, submit a school attendance certificate and court extension order to SASSA before the child turns 18 |
| Child in state institution | The child is being cared for in a state-funded institution | The grant only applies to children in home-based foster care. If the child has moved home, inform SASSA with proof |
| Incomplete documents | Missing court order, birth certificate, or affidavit | Return to SASSA with all original required documents and resubmit your application |
| Identity verification failure | Your details or the child’s details do not match Home Affairs records | Correct details at the Department of Home Affairs first, then reapply |
🔴 How to Appeal a Declined Foster Care Grant
If your Foster Care Grant application was declined and you believe the decision was incorrect, you have the right to appeal. The process is completely free — no lawyer required.
- Request written reasons for the decline — Ask SASSA to provide the specific reason for your rejection in writing. You have the right to this information.
- Gather supporting documents — Collect the court order, birth certificate, affidavit, and any documents that address the reason for rejection.
- Submit your appeal within 90 days — Visit your nearest SASSA office or submit to the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals (ITSAA). Appeals after 90 days will not be considered.
- Await the tribunal decision — The ITSAA independently reviews your case. If successful, your grant is backdated to the date the court placed the child in your care.
For full guidance: How to Appeal a Declined SASSA Grant 2026 →
Frequently Asked Questions — Foster Care Grant 2026
How much is the Foster Care Grant in 2026?
The Foster Care Grant pays R1,290 per child per month from April 2026. This is an increase from the previous amount of R1,250, as part of the 2026/27 National Budget adjustments approved by National Treasury. A further increase to R1,300 is expected in October 2026.
Do I need a court order to receive the Foster Care Grant?
Yes — a valid court order from the Children’s Court is the single most important requirement for this grant. Informal foster arrangements, even long-standing ones, do not qualify. You must first obtain a formal court order through the Department of Social Development before SASSA can approve your application.
Is there a means test for the Foster Care Grant?
No. Unlike most SASSA grants, the Foster Care Grant has no income or asset means test. Your income level does not affect your eligibility. Qualification is based solely on the valid court order and the citizenship and residency requirements.
How long does the Foster Care Grant last?
The grant lasts for as long as the court order is active — typically 2 years at a time. When the court order is renewed, the grant continues. When the court order expires, the grant stops automatically. The grant ends when the child turns 18, unless an extension to age 21 is granted because the child is still in school.
Can I receive the Foster Care Grant and the Child Support Grant at the same time?
In some circumstances, yes. If you are fostering a child with a severe disability, you may qualify for both the Foster Care Grant and the Care Dependency Grant simultaneously. For standard foster care, you generally receive the Foster Care Grant instead of the Child Support Grant — speak to your SASSA officer about your specific situation.
What happens if the foster child turns 18 but is still in school?
You can apply for an extension of the grant up to age 21, provided the child is still attending school. Before the child turns 18, submit a school attendance certificate to SASSA and ensure your social worker applies for an extended court order. If you miss this window, the grant stops at 18 and restarting it requires a new court order and application.
How long does it take for the Foster Care Grant to be approved?
Processing takes up to 3 months. Once approved, payments are backdated to the date the Children’s Court placed the child in your care — not just your SASSA application date. Keep your court order and application receipt as proof of both dates.
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