South African Social Security Agency
Foster Child Grant
National
R1,180 / month
Children in foster care
Court order needed
At a glance
- Amount
- R1,180 / month per child
- For
- Children placed by a court
- Means test
- None
- Paid until
- 18, or 21 if still in school
- Needed
- Court order
- Application
- SASSA office
The Foster Child Grant (FCG) is paid to foster parents who look after a child who has been placed in their care by a children's court. It pays R1,180 a month for each foster child. There is no income test for this grant.
Who qualifies
- A children's court placed the child in your care
- You and the child live in South Africa
- You are a South African citizen, permanent resident or refugee
Who does not qualify
- There is no valid court order
- The child has been adopted (adoptive parents can apply for the Child Support Grant instead)
Documents you need
- Your 13-digit ID document
- The child's birth certificate or ID
- The court order placing the child in your care
How to apply
- Work with a social worker, who opens the foster care case and takes it to the children's court.
- Once the court order is granted, go to a SASSA office with your documents.
- Complete the application with a SASSA official and keep your receipt.
Keep the court order up to date
Foster care orders must be extended before they expire. If the order lapses, the grant can be stopped.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an income limit for the Foster Child Grant?
No. The Foster Child Grant has no means test.
When does the Foster Child Grant stop?
At 18, or at 21 if the child is still in school and the court extends the order.