The Care Dependency Grant is a social grant intended to provide support to parents, primary caregivers or foster parents of any child with severe mental and/or physical disabilities up to 18 years, requiring full-time home care.

Even though the child may make use of professional support services, the child should not be cared for in an institution but at home to qualify. The child’s disability must be assessed by a medical doctor appointed by SASSA. The person receiving the grant is responsible for ensuring that the child is fed, clothed, receives care and stimulation as well as access to health services. much money can you get)

WHO CAN APPLY FOR A CARE DEPENDENCY GRANT?

In order to apply for a Care Dependency Grant, the parents, primary caregiver, or foster parents and the child must be:

• South African citizens, permanent residents or refugees
• Resident in South Africa at the time of application
• In possession of a medical/assessment report confirming disability
• Qualify in terms of the means test for a Care Dependency Grant

A child with severe disabilities cannot get a Care Dependency Grant if:

• The child is being cared for on a 24-hour basis for more than 6 months in an institution that is wholly funded by government, for example, a psychiatric hospital or special care centre

WHAT IS THE MEANS TEST TO QUALIFY FOR A CARE DEPENDENCY GRANT?

Only the income threshold of the caregivers of the child who is care dependent is assessed. There is no asset threshold test. The applicant, spouse and child must meet the means test (except for foster parents where a different means test applies) (See What is the means test to qualify for a Foster Child grant?).

Therefore, receiving the Care Dependency Grant depends on the income of the entire family. A person can qualify for the CDG if:

The parent/s or primary caregiver earns less than R277 200 per year or R23 100 per month (if single), or R544 400 per year or R46 200 per month (if married). These are the thresholds from 1 April 2026.

HOW TO APPLY FOR A CARE DEPENDENCY GRANT

The process of applying for a Care Dependency Grant is the same as for all other grants. The following documents are required for the application:

• Barcoded identity document of the parent/s, primary caregiver, or foster parents
• Child/ren’s birth certificate with identity number
• A medical report for the child, which must say what the child can do – this is known as a functional assessment
• If you are the foster parent of the child, the court order making you the foster parent
• Proof of your marital status, such as a marriage certificate, divorce papers, the death certificate of your spouse or a sworn statement (affidavit) if you have never married
• Proof of income and if you receive the care dependency grant, the primary caregiver must ensure that the child:
  • is tested at the age of 6 years to see whether they need special schooling
  • receives appropriate education according to level of disability
  • remains in their care
  • is living in adequate housing
  • is fed and given clothes to wear
  • receives necessary medical and dental care
  • is not in a wholly funded state-run institution

WHEN DOES THE CARE DEPENDENCY GRANT STOP OR LAPSE?

The Care Dependency Grant will be stopped in any of the following situations:

• If the parents, caregivers or foster parents die
• If the child dies
• If the child is admitted into a wholly funded state institution when the child turns 18 years (after this the child can apply for a disability grant)

The grant will be reviewed from time to time to check for changes in the child’s circumstances. The amount you get depends on your income. The amount also changes each year with the annual government budget. The amount of the grant from 1st April 2026 is R2400 per month (where the amount increases on 1 October) for every child who qualifies.