The South African government offers grants to guardians with foster children in their care. A foster child is a child that the court has placed in your custody.
This could be a result of the child being orphaned or abandoned by their caregivers. It could also happen if the child was neglected, at-risk, or abused in their current living situation.
In this article, we’ll outline all you need to know about the foster child grant. If this is something you’re interested in, keep reading to learn more.
Who Qualifies?
You can only apply if you are a permanent resident, refugee, or South African citizen. Also, you and your foster child must reside in South Africa.
Your foster child should be younger than 18 years old. Finally, your foster child should have been placed in your custody by a court and should remain in your care.
Amount and Methods Of Payment
The foster child grant is R1,040 for each foster child per month. The following are the accepted methods of payment.
- Through a welfare organization or a smaller institution
- Electronic banking – this is an automated service and will probably entail some bank charges
- Physical cash collection points on specific days
- Procurator (someone to be in charge of your affairs) at the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) office. You may also allow someone the power to receive the foster child grant if you’re not able to collect yourself. This is called the power of attorney.
Items Needed
You are to go to a SASSA office near your residence with the following items.
- Your identity document – this should be a 13 digit bar-coded ID
- Evidence of marital status
- The child’s birth certificate or ID from their country of origin if they are refugees
- For refugees, bring your refugee ID, as well as your status permit
- The legal court order that made the child your foster child
If the birth certificate or ID has been misplaced, you will need to get an affidavit in the SASSA format and take it to a court to swear before a Commissioner of Oaths. You can also provide a sworn statement signed by a reputable figure in your community. The figure must know you and your foster child.
Additionally, SASSA can take your fingerprints and transfer you to the Department of Home Affairs to apply for a new ID. Another option is to apply for a new ID while your foster child grant application is being processed. However, your ID must be ready before the process is completed.
If you applied for the grant while your ID is being issued, you must submit a temporary ID (if available) or provide proof that you have applied for a new ID or birth certificate.
Lastly, you can bring a baptismal certificate, your foster child‘s current school certificate, or a clinic card (specifically a road to health clinic card).
How To Apply
Take the items mentioned above to a SASSA office near your residence, and they will give you a form that you must complete in their presence. You have to complete the form yourself or ask the SASSA official to help you if you can’t.
After completion, you’ll receive a receipt that you must keep. This receipt is evidence that you applied for the foster child grant. This application process is completely free.
How Long Will It Take?
At most, it will take 3 months for your application to be reviewed and accepted. However, you will be paid from the date your foster child was legally placed under your care.
What If My Application Is Rejected?
You will be informed if your application is rejected and given the reason why it was rejected.
If you disagree with the reason, you can appeal to the Minister of Social Development. For your appeal to be considered, you must appeal within 90 days from when you were notified of your unsuccessful application.
Other Conditions
Your grant is reviewed every two years on the date of the official court order. You will have to fill in a life certificate every year at a SASSA office.
Failure to do this will result in your foster child grant being suspended. Other things that could lead to your grant being suspended include the following.
- Fraud
- The child turning 18
- The foster child no longer being under your care
- The results of the yearly review
- The death of the child or the death of the final foster parent
- Loss of refugee status
- Leaving the country
- Admission of the child into a state institute
- If you do not collect your foster child grant for three months in a row
To apply, you can click here. Taking care of a child can be a full-time job, especially when they’re young. This may prevent you from pursuing traditional working jobs.
If you’re in this situation, consider online or remote jobs. A great job you can do from home is SEO content writing. You can read all about it on the Career Pages here.
Summary
Grants are non-refundable funds given by organizations or governments to assist certain people in a society.
This article discussed the foster child grant, alongside details of who can apply, how you can apply, and what to expect when you apply.
