Care Dependency Grant Requirements (2026)
Understanding the eligibility requirements for the SASSA Care Dependency Grant is essential before applying. The grant has specific criteria that both the child and caregiver must meet, including severe disability requirements, age limits, income thresholds, and caregiver qualifications. This comprehensive 2026 guide covers all requirements in detail, helping you determine if you qualify for the Care Dependency Grant in South Africa.
Overview of Requirements
Who Can Receive the Grant?
The Care Dependency Grant is paid to primary caregivers of children under 18 who have severe disabilities requiring permanent care and supervision. The grant helps families meet the additional costs of caring for children with severe disabilities.
Grant Amount (2026)
- Monthly Payment: R2,080 per month
- Payment Frequency: Monthly
- Payment Method: Bank transfer, SASSA card, or Post Office collection
- Annual Review: Amount may be adjusted annually
Child Eligibility Requirements
Age Requirement
Primary Requirement:
- Child must be under 18 years old
- Grant continues until child's 18th birthday
- No minimum age requirement (babies qualify)
- Age verified through birth certificate or ID
Important Notes:
- Grant automatically ends when child turns 18
- No extension beyond 18th birthday
- Child must be under 18 at time of application
- Age verified through official documents
Severe Disability Requirement
Child Must Have:
- Severe disability requiring permanent care
- Disability prevents child from caring for themselves
- Requires permanent care and supervision
- Medical assessment confirms severe disability
Severe Disability Definition:
- Disability is severe enough to require constant care
- Child cannot perform basic self-care tasks independently
- Requires permanent supervision and assistance
- Medical assessment confirms severity
Types of Severe Disabilities:
- Severe physical disabilities
- Severe intellectual disabilities
- Severe mental/psychiatric disabilities
- Severe sensory disabilities (blindness, deafness)
- Multiple severe disabilities
- Chronic conditions requiring permanent care
Permanent Care Requirement
Child Must Require:
- Permanent care and supervision
- Constant assistance with daily activities
- Ongoing support and care
- Cannot be left unsupervised
- Medical assessment confirms permanent care need
Care Requirements:
- Assistance with personal care (bathing, feeding, etc.)
- Supervision for safety
- Support with daily activities
- Medical care and monitoring
- Specialized care needs
Citizenship and Residency
Child Must Be:
- South African Citizen: Born in South Africa with SA citizenship, OR
- Permanent Resident: Hold valid permanent residence permit, OR
- Refugee: Hold valid refugee status
Residency Requirement:
- Child must be living in South Africa
- Child must be in applicant's primary care
- Cannot be temporarily visiting
Caregiver Eligibility Requirements
Who Can Apply as Caregiver?
Eligible Caregivers:
- Biological Parents: Natural parents of the child
- Adoptive Parents: Legally adopted parents
- Foster Parents: Foster parents caring for child
- Grandparents: Grandparents caring for grandchild
- Other Relatives: Aunts, uncles, siblings, etc.
- Legal Guardians: Court-appointed guardians
- Other Caregivers: Anyone providing primary care (with proof)
Important: Only one person can receive the grant per child. If multiple people care for the child, the primary caregiver applies.
Caregiver Citizenship and Residency
Caregiver Must Be:
- South African Citizen: Hold valid SA ID, OR
- Permanent Resident: Hold valid permanent residence permit, OR
- Refugee: Hold valid refugee status
Residency Requirement:
- Must be living in South Africa
- Must be physically present in SA
- Cannot be temporarily visiting
Caregiver Age Requirement
No Maximum Age:
- No upper age limit for caregivers
- Grandparents and elderly caregivers can apply
- Must be able to provide care
No Minimum Age (with conditions):
- Technically no minimum age
- But must be able to provide primary care
- Must meet other requirements
- May require additional verification if very young
Means Test (Income Requirements)
Income Thresholds (2026)
Single Caregiver:
- Monthly Income Limit: R6,000 or less
- Calculation: All income sources combined
- Includes: Employment, self-employment, other grants, support, etc.
Married/Coupled Caregiver:
- Combined Monthly Income Limit: R12,000 or less
- Calculation: Both caregivers' income combined
- Includes: All income from both partners
Important Notes:
- Income is assessed monthly
- All income sources are considered
- Regular income, not one-time payments
- Average income if income varies
What Counts as Income?
Income Sources Included:
- Employment Income: Salary, wages, part-time work
- Self-Employment: Business income, freelance work
- Other Grants: Other SASSA grants received
- Support Payments: Spousal maintenance, family support
- Rental Income: Property rental income
- Investment Income: Interest, dividends, returns
- Other Regular Income: Any other recurring income
Income Exclusions:
- One-time payments (gifts, loans)
- Food parcels or vouchers
- Emergency assistance
- Non-cash support
- Loans (must be repaid)
Medical Assessment Requirements
Medical Assessment is Essential
Required Medical Assessment:
- Comprehensive medical assessment from approved doctor
- Must confirm severe disability
- Must indicate permanent care requirement
- Recent assessment (typically within 3 months)
- Detailed medical report
Assessment Must Show:
- Diagnosis of severe disability
- Severity of disability
- Impact on child's ability to care for themselves
- Permanent care requirement
- Treatment history
- Prognosis
Who Can Provide Assessment?
Approved Doctors:
- State hospital doctors
- Approved private doctors
- Specialist doctors (if applicable)
- Medical assessment may need to be from specific approved doctors
Assessment Requirements:
- Must be from approved doctor
- Must be comprehensive
- Must be recent (within 3 months typically)
- Must include all required information
Additional Requirements
Documentation Requirements
Essential Documents:
- Child's medical assessment (comprehensive)
- Child's birth certificate (original and certified copy)
- Caregiver's South African ID (original and certified copy)
- Proof of income (bank statements, payslips, etc.)
- Proof of address (utility bill, lease agreement, etc.)
- Proof of caregiver status (affidavit, court order, etc.)
- Banking details (for payment)
Additional Documents (if applicable):
- Marriage certificate (if married)
- Court orders (if applicable)
- Adoption papers (if adopted)
- Social worker letters (if applicable)
- Additional medical reports
Caregiver Status Verification
Proof Required:
- Affidavit confirming primary caregiver status
- Court order (if applicable)
- Letter from social worker (if applicable)
- Proof of relationship to child
- Evidence of providing permanent care
Verification Methods:
- SASSA may verify with social workers
- May check with medical professionals
- May verify with community organizations
- May require additional documentation
Exclusions and Restrictions
Who Cannot Receive the Grant?
Exclusions:
- Child Over 18: Care Dependency Grant ends at 18 (may qualify for Disability Grant)
- Disability Not Severe Enough: Child doesn't require permanent care
- Income Above Threshold: Caregivers earning more than R6,000 (single) or R12,000 (coupled)
- Not Primary Caregiver: Only primary caregiver can receive grant
- Child Not in Care: Child must be in applicant's primary care
Grant Limitations
One Grant Per Child:
- Only one person can receive grant per child
- If multiple caregivers, primary caregiver applies
- Cannot split grant between caregivers
Cannot Combine with Other Grants:
- Generally cannot receive Care Dependency Grant and Child Support Grant for same child
- Can receive Care Dependency Grant and other grants for different children
- Other grants may affect eligibility
Special Circumstances
Multiple Children with Disabilities
Eligibility:
- Can apply for grant for each eligible child
- Each child receives R2,080 per month
- Must meet requirements for each child
- Each child must have severe disability requiring permanent care
Payment:
- Payments may be combined or separate
- Total depends on number of eligible children
- Example: 2 children = R4,160 per month total
Grandparents as Caregivers
Eligibility:
- Grandparents can apply if they're primary caregivers
- Must meet all standard requirements
- Income threshold applies (R6,000 single, R12,000 if married)
- Must provide proof of primary care
Single Parents
Eligibility:
- Single parents can apply
- Income threshold: R6,000/month
- Must be primary caregiver
- Must meet all standard requirements
Maintaining Eligibility
Ongoing Requirements
To Keep Receiving Grant:
- Child must remain under 18
- Child must continue to require permanent care
- Caregiver must continue to meet means test
- Child must remain in caregiver's primary care
- Caregiver must update SASSA of changes
- Participate in periodic reviews
- May need periodic medical reassessments
Changes That Affect Eligibility
Notify SASSA If:
- Child's disability improves significantly
- Child no longer requires permanent care
- Income increases above threshold
- Caregiver status changes
- Address changes
- Banking details change
- Child turns 18 (grant ends)
Consequences of Not Reporting:
- Grant may be suspended
- Overpayments may need to be repaid
- Legal action possible
- Future grant eligibility affected
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered a severe disability?
A severe disability is one that requires the child to have permanent care and supervision, and the child cannot care for themselves independently. Medical assessment determines severity.
What is the income threshold for 2026?
For 2026, single caregivers must earn R6,000 or less per month, and married/coupled caregivers must have combined income of R12,000 or less.
How many children can I apply for?
You can apply for the grant for each eligible child in your care. Each child receives R2,080 per month if approved.
What if my income is slightly above the threshold?
If your income is above the threshold, you don't qualify. The threshold is strict—even R6,001 (for single) or R12,001 (for coupled) means you don't qualify.
Do I need a medical assessment?
Yes, a comprehensive medical assessment from an approved doctor is required. The assessment must confirm the child has a severe disability requiring permanent care.
What happens when the child turns 18?
The Care Dependency Grant ends when the child turns 18. At that point, the child may be eligible for the Disability Grant if they meet the requirements.
Can I receive both Care Dependency Grant and Child Support Grant?
Generally, you cannot receive both grants for the same child. However, you can receive Care Dependency Grant for a child with severe disability and Child Support Grant for other children (if eligible).
Can grandparents apply?
Yes, grandparents can apply if they are the primary caregivers of the child and meet all eligibility requirements, including the income threshold.
What documents do I need?
Essential documents include: child's comprehensive medical assessment, child's birth certificate, your ID, proof of income, proof of address, proof of caregiver status, and banking details.
Can I appeal if my application is declined?
Yes, you can appeal a decline decision within 90 days. Provide supporting documentation, including additional medical evidence if needed, and explain why the decline was incorrect.
Conclusion
The Care Dependency Grant has specific eligibility requirements including severe disability requiring permanent care, age limits, income thresholds, and caregiver qualifications. Understanding these requirements—including how income is calculated, what medical documentation is needed, and how to maintain eligibility—helps ensure a successful application. The grant provides essential support for caregivers of children with severe disabilities, helping meet additional care costs.
For more information about applying for the grant, payment dates, or maintaining your grant, explore our other comprehensive Care Dependency Grant guides.
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