SASSA Care Dependency Grant

The Care Dependency Grant provides financial assistance to parents or caregivers of children under 18 who have severe mental or physical disabilities and require permanent care.

How to Apply Payment Dates

Grant Amount Per Child

R2,400

per month per qualifying child

Medical Assessment Required

A medical assessment by a SASSA-appointed medical officer is required to confirm that the child has a severe disability requiring permanent home care. The assessment determines the level of care needed.

What is a Severe Disability?

For the purposes of this grant, a severe disability is one that results in the child requiring permanent care or support services. This includes children who:

Cannot perform daily activities independently
Require 24-hour supervision and care
Have severe physical disabilities

Have severe intellectual disabilities
Have chronic medical conditions requiring care
Need assistance with mobility, feeding, or toileting

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the Care Dependency Grant, you must meet the following criteria:

Be the parent, primary caregiver, or foster parent of a child with a severe disability

Be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee

The child must be under 18 years of age

The child must require permanent care due to their severe mental or physical disability

The child must not be cared for in a state institution for more than 6 months

You and the child must be South African citizens or permanent residents

Pass the means test (income and asset assessment)

Required Documents

Your South African ID document (green barcoded ID or Smart ID card)

Child's birth certificate or ID document

Medical report confirming the child's disability and need for permanent care

Proof of residence (utility bill, lease agreement, or affidavit)

Proof of income (if applicable)

Bank account details (for payment)

2026 Payment Schedule

Care Dependency Grant payments are made on the Children's Grants payment day:

January

8 January 2026

February

5 February 2026

March

5 March 2026

April

8 April 2026

May

8 May 2026

June

5 June 2026

July

6 July 2026

August

7 August 2026

September

4 September 2026

October

6 October 2026

November

6 November 2026

December

4 December 2026

View full payment schedule for all grants

Other SASSA Grants

R2,400/month

R580/month

R1,295/month

R370/month