The Care Dependency Grant helps families who provide full time care for a child under 18 with a severe disability. It supports day to day needs like medical care, transport to clinics and school, and assistive devices. Starting November 2025, SASSA will raise the monthly amount from R2,310 to R2,320 as part of a uniform R10 increase across social grants. The adjustment is modest, but for households managing ongoing medical and caregiving costs, every rand matters.
Table of Contents
This guide explains who qualifies, which documents you need, how to apply or update details, the ways you can be paid, how SMS alerts and the online portal work, and the steps to resolve common payout delays. It also covers reviews, suspensions, and your right to appeal.
What the Care Dependency Grant Covers
The grant is intended for children with disabilities that require substantial assistance for daily living. This often includes intensive supervision, frequent treatment, mobility support, and special learning or therapy costs. Families use the grant to pay for medicines, transport, school support needs, nappies, nutrition supplements, and occasional home adaptations that make care safer and easier.
Summary Table
Item |
Details |
|---|---|
Grant name |
Care Dependency Grant |
Paying agency |
South African Social Security Agency |
New monthly amount |
R2,320 from November 2025 |
Who it supports |
Children under 18 with severe disability needing full time care |
Key eligibility |
SA citizenship or permanent residence for caregiver and child, means test for biological and adoptive parents, disability confirmed by medical assessment |
Means test thresholds |
Single caregiver up to R223,200 per year. Married couple up to R446,400 per year. Not applied to foster parents |
Payment methods |
Bank account, Postbank, or cash at approved pay points with proxy option if approved |
Reviews |
Periodic medical and financial reviews to confirm ongoing eligibility |
Official website |
Who Can Receive the R2,320 Care Dependency Grant in 2025
To qualify, you must meet all core conditions below.
- Residency and identity
- Caregiver must be a South African citizen or permanent resident with valid ID.
- Child must reside in South Africa and have a valid birth certificate or ID where age appropriate.
- Caregiver and child must ordinarily live in South Africa.
- Care relationship
- You are the child’s parent or legal guardian. Foster parents qualify through separate rules that do not require the standard means test.
- Age and disability
- Child is under 18.
- A state appointed or recognised medical practitioner must confirm that the child has a severe disability that requires full time care at home and that this care is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.
- Means test for biological or adoptive parents
- Single caregiver income up to R223,200 per year.
- Married caregivers joint income up to R446,400 per year.
- Means test does not apply to foster parents.
- Residence together
- Child should ordinarily live with the caregiver who is claiming the grant, except for temporary hospital stays or therapy placements.
How to Apply or Update Your Details
Documents to prepare
- Your South African ID or valid proof of permanent residence.
- Child’s birth certificate or ID and medical records.
- Bank account statement or confirmation letter in your name if choosing direct deposit.
- Proof of residence and marital status documents if applicable.
- Medical assessment forms completed by a designated practitioner as directed by SASSA.
Where to start
- Visit a SASSA office to apply, or use the SASSA online portal to check status and upload supporting documents where available.
- If you move, change banks, or your family situation changes, update SASSA as soon as possible to prevent delays.
Payment Options and Monthly Process
SASSA pays the Care Dependency Grant using one of the following methods.
- Direct deposit into a bank account you nominate.
- Postbank account with card withdrawals.
- Cash at SASSA pay points in areas where this is offered.
If the caregiver is unable to collect the grant because of illness, disability, or mobility issues, you may nominate a proxy. The proxy must be approved by SASSA and present valid documents when collecting. Choose the method that is safest and most convenient for you, and keep your bank details updated.
Using SMS Alerts and Portal Checks
- SMS notifications are sent when applications are received, approved, or if further documents are required.
- Use the online portal to check application status, review dates, and payment history.
- If you switch phone numbers or email, update your contact details so messages reach you on time.
Reviews, Suspensions, and Appeals
SASSA conducts periodic reviews to ensure the grant still reflects the child’s condition and your financial circumstances.
Reasons for temporary suspension or stopping of payments
- Child turns 18.
- Child passes away.
- Child is permanently admitted to a state institution at full state expense.
- Grant not collected for three consecutive months.
- Failure to cooperate with a scheduled review or to submit requested documents.
- Material improvement in the child’s condition so that full time care is no longer required.
- Fraud or misrepresentation is discovered.
Your right to appeal
If you receive a decision to reduce, suspend, or stop the grant, you may appeal within 90 days to the Minister of Social Development or the designated appeals structure. Include your ID number, grant reference, and a clear explanation with any supporting medical or financial documents.
Common Reasons for Delays and How to Fix Them
- Bank account issues
- Name mismatch or closed account.
- Fix: Submit bank confirmation with the exact name as on your ID and grant records.
- Outdated contact details
- SMS alerts fail or payment notices go to an old number.
- Fix: Update phone and email at SASSA or via the portal.
- Missing medical reviews
- Review date missed or incomplete medical assessment.
- Fix: Book the assessment early, keep copies of all forms, and submit before the deadline.
- Change in caregiver or address
- Child no longer resides with the recorded caregiver.
- Fix: Report the change, provide legal guardianship documents if needed, and update proof of residence.
- Uncollected payments
- Three consecutive missed collections can trigger suspension.
- Fix: Collect promptly or request proxy approval if you cannot travel.
Practical Tips for Caregivers
- Keep all clinic cards, hospital letters, therapy reports, and assessments together in a folder.
- Request duplicate copies of key documents in case the originals are lost.
- Track review dates in a calendar and book appointments in advance.
- Keep a basic expense record for medication, transport, and supplies. It helps during reviews and appeals.
- If your child’s condition changes, notify SASSA. Early updates prevent payment errors.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need to reapply to get the increase from R2,310 to R2,320 in November 2025
No. If your grant is active and your details are correct, the new amount will be applied automatically from November 2025.
2. Can foster parents qualify without the standard means test
Yes. Foster parents are assessed differently because a court order places the child in their care, and the usual income limits do not apply.
3. What if my child is temporarily in hospital or a rehab facility
Short term or temporary stays do not disqualify you. Inform SASSA and keep documentation from the facility.
4. How do I appoint someone to collect on my behalf
Request proxy collection at SASSA. The proxy must present approved identification and the necessary authorisation each time until you resume collection.
5. How long does SASSA take to process changes like a new bank account
Processing times vary. Provide a bank confirmation letter in your name and allow time for verification. Continue to check SMS alerts and the portal for updates.
Conclusion
The Care Dependency Grant remains a vital source of stability for families caring for children with severe disabilities. The R10 increase to R2,320 from November 2025 is small, but it still supports transport, medicines, therapy visits, and other essentials that make daily care possible. Keep your documents current, respond to review requests, verify your bank and contact details, and use the SMS and portal tools to track your grant. If a decision seems incorrect, use your right to appeal within the allowed timeframe.
Official Website
For verified information, status checks, and contact details, visit https://www.sassa.gov.za
For More Information Click HERE
