Grants

SASSA Care Dependency Grant 2026

The Care Dependency Grant pays R2,400 per month from 1 April 2026 to parents and caregivers of children under 18 with severe disabilities requiring full-time care at home. Here's how to apply.

Updated 12 May 2026 • By Thandi Mokoena • Fact-checked

At a glance

Amount

R2,400/mo

Child's age

Under 18

Severe disability

Means test (single)

R23,100/mo max

R277,200/year

Medical assessment

SASSA doctor

No private docs accepted

Who qualifies

The child is under 18
The child has a severe physical or mental disability requiring permanent full-time care at home
A SASSA-appointed medical officer has certified the disability
You are the parent or primary caregiver
You and the child are South African citizens, permanent residents or refugees
You pass the income means test (foster parents are exempt)
The child is not in a state-funded institution (care home, government boarding facility)

Means test (caregiver income)

Threshold	Single	Married (combined)
Monthly income	R23,100	R46,200
Annual income	R277,200	R554,400

Care Dependency thresholds are significantly higher than CSG because the cost of caring for a severely disabled child is recognised. No asset test applies. Foster parents are exempt from the means test entirely.

The medical assessment

The medical assessment is the most important part of the application. Some practical points:

· SASSA arranges it — you don't book your own doctor.
· Bring every medical record you can — hospital files, specialist reports, occupational and speech therapy assessments, school reports if applicable.
· The doctor evaluates functional capacity: daily living, mobility, communication, ability to self-care.
· The deciding question is "does this child need permanent full-time care at home?" — not the specific diagnosis.
· The assessment must be no older than 3 months when SASSA processes the application.

Documents needed

The child's birth certificate
Your South African ID
Your spouse's ID, if married
Medical assessment from a SASSA-appointed state medical officer (arranged by SASSA, no older than 3 months)
All the child's medical history — hospital files, specialist reports, therapy assessments
Proof of household income (or sworn affidavit if no income)
Banking details for grant payment
Proof of residential address
Children's Court order if you are not the biological parent (e.g. relative or foster caregiver)

How to apply

1
Visit your nearest SASSA office

Bring your ID, the child's birth certificate, any existing medical history and proof of income. The child should be with you if possible.
2
Get booked for the SASSA medical assessment

A state-appointed doctor is assigned to assess your child. SASSA provides the appointment date and venue at no cost.
3
Attend the medical assessment with all records

Bring hospital files, specialist reports and therapy assessments. The medical officer completes the SASSA form on the day.
4
Complete the application form at SASSA

You'll be photographed and fingerprinted. The medical assessment is attached to your file.
5
Choose payment method

Bank account in your name (fastest), Post Office cash collection, or participating retailer.
6
Wait for the decision

SASSA must respond within 90 days. If approved, payment is backdated to your application date. If declined, you have 90 days to appeal.

Plan for the 18th-birthday transition

The Care Dependency Grant ends on the child's 18th birthday. If their disability is permanent, apply for the Disability Grant in their name at least 3 months before they turn 18 — this avoids a payment gap.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the Care Dependency Grant in 2026?+

From 1 April 2026, the Care Dependency Grant pays R2,400 per month per child. This matches the increase to the Disability Grant and Older Persons Grant announced in the February 2026 Budget.

Who qualifies for the Care Dependency Grant?+

A parent or primary caregiver of a child under 18 who has a severe physical or mental disability requiring full-time special care at home. The disability must be confirmed by a SASSA-appointed medical officer. The caregiver must pass the income means test (the same thresholds as the Older Persons Grant), unless they are a foster parent.

What counts as a "severe disability" for this grant?+

A condition that prevents the child from functioning independently and requires permanent full-time care at home — feeding, washing, dressing, mobility assistance. Examples that often qualify: cerebral palsy, severe autism, severe intellectual disability, advanced muscular dystrophy. The SASSA medical officer makes the determination, not your private doctor.

What's the means test for the Care Dependency Grant?+

For 2026, a single applicant must earn under R23,100/month (R277,200/year). Married couples must have combined income under R46,200/month (R554,400/year). These thresholds are higher than for other SASSA grants because the cost of caring for a severely disabled child is recognised as substantial.

Can I claim Care Dependency and Child Support Grant for the same child?+

No. The Care Dependency Grant is paid instead of, not on top of, the Child Support Grant. CDG pays R2,400/month vs CSG's R580 — almost always the better claim if the child qualifies.

What happens at age 18?+

The Care Dependency Grant ends. If the disability is permanent, the now-adult child can apply for the Disability Grant in their own name. There may be a gap of 30–90 days between the CDG ending and the new Disability Grant starting — apply for the Disability Grant 3 months before the 18th birthday.

How long does the medical assessment take?+

SASSA arranges the appointment with a state-appointed doctor. Wait times vary by province — typically 4–12 weeks. The assessment takes 30–60 minutes. Bring all the child's medical history, hospital files, specialist reports and any therapy assessments.

Sources

· SASSA Care Dependency Grant product page.
· Department of Social Development 2026/27 grant adjustment notice.
· OurPower SASSA Means Test 2026.
· South African Government Services Portal — Care Dependency Grant.

For 18+

Disability Grant

Compare

Child Support Grant

If declined

How to appeal