South Africa Child Support Grant (CSG) is one of the most important safety nets for low-income households raising children. In 2025, the standard CSG is R560 per child, per month. In addition, there is a Child Support Grant Top-Up (CSG-TP) for specific vulnerable children (notably orphans in the care of relatives or in recognised child-headed households). The Top-Up is set at 50% of the CSG, which equals R280 in 2025 so an eligible child can receive R560 + R280 = R840 in total.
You may have seen figures like R790 quoted online. Those posts mix older and newer amounts. The official position is that the Top-Up equals half of the CSG, which in 2025 calculates to R280, bringing the total for qualifying cases to R840. The Department of Social Development introduced this Top-Up to reduce pressure on the foster-care system and to reach more orphaned children quickly.
SASSA pays children’s grants on a set day each month. For October 2025, for example, children’s grants were paid on Monday, 6 October 2025, after Older Persons (2 October) and Disability (3 October). In all months, your funds remain available after the pay day there is no need to queue on day one.
First-Time Applicants Guide: SASSA Child Support Grant 2025 Quick Summary
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Base amount (2025) | R560 per child per month (Child Support Grant) |
| Top-Up (CSG-TP) | R280 for qualifying orphans/kinship care (total R840 = R560 + R280) |
| Who applies | The primary caregiver (parent, grandparent, or person mainly responsible for daily care) |
| Core eligibility | Child under 18, lives in SA with the caregiver; caregiver and child meet means test and residency rules |
| How to apply | Online via SASSA e-Services or at your nearest SASSA office with required documents |
| How you’re paid | Bank/Postbank deposit, SASSA card at retailers/ATMs, or approved pay points |
| Typical pay window | Children’s grants are paid at the start of the month on the SASSA calendar (e.g., 6 Oct 2025) |
| Official site | sassa.gov.za (grant pages) and services.sassa.gov.za (applications) |
Sources: SASSA and government pages on CSG and Top-Up; October 2025 payment calendar. (westerncape.gov.za)
Who Qualifies in 2025: Eligibility and Means Test
To access the R560 CSG, the caregiver must be the child’s primary caregiver and satisfy the legal and financial criteria:
- Child is under 18, not in a state institution, and lives with the caregiver.
- Caregiver and child live in South Africa, and the caregiver is a South African citizen, permanent resident or recognised refugee.
- Means test: SASSA applies income thresholds for the caregiver household. (Thresholds are periodically updated; check SASSA’s official pages or your nearest office for the current figures when you apply.)
Who gets the Top-Up (R280)?
The CSG Top-Up is not universal. It targets eligible orphans cared for by relatives and certain child-headed households formally recognised under the Children’s Act. The Top-Up exists to speed up support without requiring a foster-care court order in every case. Documentation is needed to prove orphanhood/kinship care and primary caregiving.
What the Grant Covers and Why the Top-Up Matters
The CSG helps with daily essentials food, transport, toiletries, school-related items while the Top-Up strengthens support for children with exceptional vulnerability (for example, where both parents are deceased and a relative has stepped in). Because prices have risen, government has implemented periodic adjustments and retained the 50% rule for the Top-Up so that support scales automatically when the base CSG rises.
When and How You Will Be Paid
- Pay day: Children’s grants are scheduled early each month on the SASSA calendar. For October 2025, the children’s pay date was 6 October 2025. Future months are announced on SASSA channels.
- Payment options:
- Direct deposit to your bank or Postbank account.
- SASSA card you can purchase at retailers or withdraw at ATMs.
- Approved pay point in limited cases.
- Safety and access: Your grant remains in your account after pay day do not rush to collect on day one if queues are long.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply (First-Time Applicants)
You can apply online or in person:
Option A: Apply online (recommended)
- Go to SASSA e-Services and register/login to your profile.
- Select Child Support Grant and complete the digital form.
- Upload documents (clear scans/photos):
- Caregiver ID (or acceptable alternative proof of identity).
- Child’s birth certificate (or alternative proof where applicable).
- Proof of primary caregiving (for example, an affidavit per Regulation 13(3) if you are not the parent).
- Income information for the means test (payslips, UIF letter, affidavits for unemployed guardians, or SASSA proof).
- For Top-Up: documents that show orphanhood/kinship care and recognition where required.
- Submit and note your reference number. Track progress in your e-Services profile.
Option B: Apply at a SASSA office
Bring the same documents; an official will help you complete and capture the application. Keep the receipt as proof of application.
If you cannot collect the grant yourself, SASSA allows you to authorise another person (procurator/power of attorney) to collect on your behalf.
Practical Tips to Keep Payments Flowing
- Keep details updated: phone, address, and especially banking details.
- Tell SASSA if circumstances change (e.g., child’s living arrangements).
- Avoid scams: SASSA does not charge fees to approve grants; only use official channels.
- Store copies of your documents and the SASSA receipt/reference.
FAQs
1) Is the 2025 Child Support Grant really R790?
No. The standard CSG is R560 in 2025. A Top-Up of R280 applies to qualifying orphan/kinship-care cases, totaling R840. The R790 figure you may see online is not aligned with the 50% Top-Up rule currently applied.
2) Who decides if a child gets the Top-Up?
SASSA assesses whether the child meets the orphan/kinship-care criteria and that the caregiver is the primary caregiver. Supporting documents are required.
3) Do I have to reapply every year?
Not usually. SASSA may review cases periodically (you will be notified) to confirm that eligibility and caregiving arrangements have not changed.
4) How many children can I claim for?
You can claim for your own biological or legally adopted children. For non-biological children under your care, there are limits and documentation rules. See the official page for details and exceptions.
5) When exactly are children’s grants paid?
They are paid at the start of each month on the SASSA calendar. For October 2025 the date was 6 October; future dates are posted on SASSA channels. Funds stay in your account if you collect later.
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