Foster parents need to understand the requirements, eligibility, and payment schedule to claim the 2025 SASSA Foster Child Grant of R1,250. This grant helps foster children and provides the necessary financial support needed to meet their living and educational requirements, provided the children satisfy the necessary legal and residency requirements.
Overview of the Foster Child Grant
The SASSA Foster Child Grant is meant for foster parents who are caring for children placed with them through a court order. In 2025, the grant pays R1,250 a month, for every child placed, which is important for the families providing support for the caring of vulnerable children (those orphaned, at risk, or abandoned).
Eligibility Criteria
The first point of eligibility is that the applicant should be a South African citizen, a permanent resident or a recognised refugee and should have a child legally placed by the courts. South Africa should be the country of residence for both and the foster child. Foster care and placement order is to be legally maintained until the child is 18 and schooling. The grant can be extended until the child is 21 years of age.
Claiming the Foster Child Grant can be initiated at the nearest SASSA office where the foster parent has to go accompanied with the following:
- Foster care court order
- South African ID or refugee permit to be presented by the applicant
- Birth certificate of the child
- Any proof of marital status (within the context of the circumstances)
An SASSA official will help you fill out the application form, and the applicant will be required to sign the form in the presence of a SASSA officer. After submission, the applicant is given a receipt, which serves as proof of application. If the application is successful, payment will be made as of the application submission date.
Payments Methods/Payments Schedule
Payments can be received by:
- Paying cash at a pay point
- Bank or Postbank account (electronic deposit)
- Payment via the institution responsible for the child.
As for foster related grants, the next payment is scheduled to be made on Monday, October 6th 2025. Payments are made on a month to month frequency, and are typically made during the first week of the month.
Duration and Review of the Grant
The grant is valid until the court foster order expires or the child turns 18. The order will be extended if the child is still in school. Every two years or per court order are the periods in which the reviews will be done. There will be notifications sent in advance. Suspensions can occur due to a lack of required documents, audit issues, fraudulent documents, or a change in circumstances.
What Happens in Case of Application Denial?
Applicants whose applications are declined will be sent a declination letter with the contained reasons. Appeals can be done to the Minister of Social Development within 90 days of receipt of the decline letter.
Short Table of Key Data
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Monthly Grant (2025) | R1,250 |
| Minimum Age (Child) | Under 18 |
| Extendable Up To | Age 21 (if in school) |
| Application Points | SASSA offices |
| Next Payment Date | 6 October 2025 |
Common Questions
Q1: Can multiple foster children be supported under one application?
There must be a separate court order along with a separate application for each foster child.
Q2: Is there a means test for this grant?
There is no means test; court-appointed foster care alone qualifies the individual.
Q3: What if the court order expires?
Unless a new order is put in place, the grant will stop.
This information serves to help foster parents in claiming and administering the SASSA Foster Child Grant for 2025.
