Government confirms SASSA increases as childcare grants rise across South Africa in April 2025
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Government confirms SASSA increases as childcare grants rise across South Africa in April 2025

Families relying on SASSA childcare grants finally have some clarity as the government confirmed grant increases in the latest Budget Speech.

This announcement is a relief to millions of South African parents who depend on these funds to support their children.

With a rising cost of living and the recent VAT increase, these adjustments come at a crucial time.

A Breakdown of the SASSA Childcare Grant Increases

Starting in April 2025, several childcare grants will see an increase.

Here’s how much beneficiaries can expect:

  • Child Support Grant: Increased by R30, bringing the monthly total to R560.
  • Care Dependency Grant: Increased by R130, now paying R2,310 per month.
  • Foster Child Grant: Increased to R1,250 per month.

These increases range between 5.7% and 5.9%, which slightly outpaces current inflation rates.

The government has allocated R8.2 billion over the next three years to sustain social grants, helping to offset the impact of the recent 0.5% VAT hike.

Who Can Apply for a Child Support Grant?

If you are considering applying for financial assistance for your child, there are a few key eligibility criteria to meet:

  • Only one parent per child can apply for the grant.
  • You must meet the income requirements:
    • If married, you must earn less than R8,800 per month (R105,600 annually).
    • If single, your income must be below R4,400 per month (R52,800 annually).

A newborn child added to the grant system early could receive approximately R145,480 in financial aid by the time they turn 18, assuming an average 5.5% annual increase in the grant.

How to Apply for a SASSA Childcare Grant

If you qualify, follow these steps to apply:

  1. Register your newborn with the Department of Home Affairs.
  2. Gather the required documents, including:
    • Your child’s birth certificate.
    • Your own valid ID and, if married, your spouse’s ID.
    • Proof of marital status (marriage, birth, or death certificate of spouse).
    • Proof of income for both parents.
    • Three-month bank statement (not older than three months).
    • Proof of address (utility bill not older than three months).
  3. Apply online via the SASSA service portal and schedule an appointment.
  4. Visit a SASSA office with all the necessary documents to complete your application.

Processing can take up to three months, but payments will be backdated to your application date.

Extra Support for Foster and Disabled Children

Children with mental or physical disabilities and foster children also qualify for additional government support.

However, these applications require extra documentation:

  • A medical report from a government-appointed doctor for disabled children.
  • A court order confirming foster care status for foster children.

The Ongoing SASSA/Postbank Card Migration Issues

While the grant increases bring good news, many SASSA beneficiaries have faced major frustrations with the ongoing Postbank card migration process.

The old gold SASSA cards will stop working after Thursday, 20 March 2025, meaning millions need to ensure they have successfully switched to the new SASSA Black Card or alternative payment methods.

Despite these banking changes, SASSA has reassured grant recipients that payments will not be interrupted.

Beneficiaries can still withdraw their grants at any SA Post Office branch across the country.

Need Help? Here’s Who to Contact

For assistance with your SASSA grants, you can reach out to: