Care Dependency Grant – Status, Application & Eligibility

The Care Dependency Grant is an important social assistance grant from SASSA for caregivers of children with severe disabilities requiring full-time care.

Here is a comprehensive guide explaining everything about the Care Dependency Grant in South Africa:

What is the Care Dependency Grant?

• Monthly SASSA grant for caregivers of children severely disabled before age 18
• To assist with additional costs of caring for the child’s high needs
• For biological parents, foster parents, or primary caregivers of the disabled child
• The child needs permanent home care due to physical or mental disability
• Doctor assessment and medical reports are required to confirm the child’s disability
• Household income testing used to determine eligibility
• Around 150,000 children benefit from the Care Dependency Grant

Eligibility Criteria for the Care Dependency Grant

The following criteria must be met to qualify for the grant:

Primary Caregiver Requirements

• South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee with valid papers
• Resides in South Africa
• Must be the primary caregiver of the disabled child

Child Requirements

• South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee
• Younger than 18 years old
• Needs permanent care due to severe mental or physical disability before age 18
• Not cared for in state institution
• Not already receiving another social grant

Disability Requirements

• The nature of disability requires permanent home care
• Medical assessments and reports from doctors confirming severe disability
• Disability prevents children from caring for themselves or functioning independently

Income Requirements

• Primary caregiver and spouse must pass the means test for the household income threshold
• Except for foster parents who can exceed the threshold

How to Apply for the Care Dependency Grant

Eligible primary caregivers of a disabled child can apply in two ways:

Online Application

• Visit the SASSA website (https://services.sassa.gov.za/) and register on the portal
• Capture child’s details, and disability details and upload reports and IDs
• Upload a copy of the doctor’s assessment reports confirming the child’s disability
• Submit the completed online Care Dependency Grant application

In-Person Application

• Visit your nearest SASSA regional office and request an application form
• Complete in full and submit along with the child’s birth certificate, ID, doctor’s reports, etc.
• SASSA agent captures details and initiates the assessment process
• Return on the specified date for a status update and provide additional details

Note applicants must provide accurate details for themselves and their child. Do not falsify information as this constitutes fraud.

Care Dependency Grant Documentation Needed

Applicants need to submit the following valid documentation when applying:

• The child’s original birth certificate and clinic card
• Child’s ID document if aged over 16 years
• Primary caregiver’s green barcoded ID book or Smart ID
• Primary caregiver’s proof of residence
• Recent bank statement if the grant to be deposited
• Comprehensive doctor’s assessment report confirming child’s severe disability

Care Dependency Grant Medical Assessments

A key part of the application is submitting detailed medical assessments which must:

• Be completed by a registered pediatrician or specialist doctor
• Confirm the child has a severe mental or physical disability
• Provide details of the disability including diagnosis, severity, limitations caused
• Specify how the disability renders the child fully dependent on a caregiver
• Indicate any aids, medications, or special care needed
• Assessments must be recent – within 3 months prior to grant application

Care Dependency Grant Amount

• R2,110 per care dependent child per month from October 2023
• Uniform amount nationwide does not vary geographically
• Multiple qualifying children can be claimed
• The monthly amount increases slightly annually in line with inflation

The funds help cover the child’s specialized healthcare and disability assistance costs.

How the Care Dependency Grant is Paid Out

SASSA distributes the Care Dependency Grant in a few ways each month:

• Direct deposit into the primary caregiver’s bank account
• Loaded onto a SASSA card used to withdraw cash or pay for purchases
• Cash payouts at designated pay points like post offices and retailers
• Money transfers via services like Mukuru where funds are collected

Recipients should provide their own safe bank account details where possible for secure monthly grant deposits.

Check More: SASSA Grant Payment Methods

Care Dependency Grant Payment Dates

• Paid after Older Persons, Disability, and Child Grants each month
• Payments commence on the 3rd day of each month unless the 3rd falls on a weekend or public holiday
• Primary caregivers get 5 working days from the payment start date to collect the monthly grant
• For example, if the 3rd is a Sunday, payouts start on Tuesday the 5th and until Monday the 10th
• Only paid during the designated 5-day cycle so recipients must collect promptly

Check More: SASSA Grant Payment Dates 2024

Duration of the Care Dependency Grant

• The grant is paid until the child turns 18 years old
• The primary caregiver must reapply annually and supply updated medical assessments
• If the child’s condition improves before 18, the grant may be terminated
• When the child reaches 18, can apply for Disability Grant instead

Reporting Care Dependency Grant Issues

Primary caregivers should report any issues with the grant to SASSA without delay:

• Visit the nearest SASSA office and speak to an agent
• Call the SASSA call center helpline for assistance
• Log a query or complaint online via the SASSA Services portal
• Follow up if grant payments are late, delayed, or missed unexpectedly
• Report suspected fraud providing all relevant details

Promptly notifying SASSA of any problems allows them to investigate and fix issues quickly.

Care Dependency Grant Fraud Consequences

It is illegal to provide false details or documents when applying for the grant or to accept grants unethically. The consequences of fraud include:

• Fines and/or imprisonment up to 12 months
• Having to repay all funds unduly received
• Being barred from receiving grants for 10 years
• A criminal record that negatively impacts job applications
• Prosecution under the Prevention and Combatting of Corrupt Activities Act

Applicants should thus take extreme care to provide accurate information to avoid facing criminal penalties.

FAQs about Care Dependency Grant

Conclusion

The Care Dependency Grant provides essential financial support to caregivers responsible for children with severe disabilities needing full-time care. Follow the steps carefully to apply and maintain compliance.