February 2025 SASSA Childcare grants (three in total) are controlled by the South African Social Security Agency. In fact, Minister Tolashe just last week praised the success of the 2024 matric graduates who are SASSA beneficiaries. Quite remarkably, more than 80% of National Senior Certificate (NSC) students were SASSA Child Support recipients.
That’s 572 338 school leavers out of a total 724 156 who receive February 2025 SASSA Childcare grants. Combine that with a pass rate of 86% and the Department of Social Development’s (DSD’s) goal of assisting financially distressed families with minors in South Africa is certainly paying dividends.
FEBRUARY 2025 SASSA CHILDCARE GRANTS
For anyone who is unfamiliar with how February 2025 SASSA Childcare grants work, there are currently three different government grants offered. But only one parent (if married) may claim a grant for a child. So, let’s explore the latest updates for February 2025 SASSA Childcare grants and see which, if any, may be applicable to your child …
At last count, SASSA disbursed approximately 13 million of the R530 SASSA Child Support grants each month. This stipend costs government taxpayers the most of any grant in South Africa. That’s because it pays more and goes to more people than even the R370 Social Relief of Distress (SRD). As far as social welfare goes in Africa, it’s one of the most comprehensive systems ever on the continent.
FOR STRUGGLING PARENTS IN 2025
With inflation running out of control, nowhere else can a struggling parent put their child onto February 2025 SASSA Childcare grants from birth. And if you let it run all the way to their 18th birthday, that child’s household would receive approximately R135 480 in support from the South African government. This conservatively factors in estimated grant increases of 5% per annum, which we believe will next take place in April 2025.
Nevertheless, SASSA still believes even more can be done for young parents with newborns. As a result, the agency made a call late last year for mothers with newborns to urgently apply for SASSA Child Support. The only catch is parents must register their newborns with the Department of Home Affairs as soon as possible.
HOW DO YOU QUALIFY FOR AID?
Many parents are not getting their newborn’s unabridged birth certificate and identification documents early enough, says the agency. Therefore, they are not eligible for SASSA child support as early as they could and should be. For February 2025 SASSA Childcare grants, three stipends will next be paid on Thursday 6 February 2025. Besides Child Support, there is also Foster Child and Childcare Dependency. To qualify you must pass the following means test for each:
- Earn less than R8 800 per month if you’re married (R105 600 annually).
- Earn less than R4 400 per month if you’re single (R52 800 annually).
Of course, you child must be under the age of 18. Also note that applications take up to three months to be processed, however, you will be back-paid to the date of application if successful.
WHAT DO I NEED TO APPLY?
After you have been through Home Affairs online portal, you can visit the upgraded SASSA service portal to make an appointment. Do so online before you visit a SASSA branch in-person. Be sure to bring the following documents with you:
- Valid identity documents of both the applicant (child) and spouse (if married).
- Proof of marital status (marriage, birth or death certificate of your spouse).
- Official birth certificate and ID of the child you’re applying for support for.
- Proof of income (of both you and your spouse).
- An approved three-month bank statement (no more than three-months old).
- Proof of address (a utility statement with your name on it that’s not more the three-months old).
CARE DEPENDENCY AND FOSTER CHILD GRANTS
February 2025 SASSA Childcare grants also cater for mentally or physically disabled children and foster children. These do require additional paperwork though. A child must be declared disabled by a government-appointed doctor. Likewise, you are only eligible for the SASSA Foster Child grant if you are the rightful, court-appointed foster parent in accordance with the South African Child Care Act. The grants pay R2 190 (Care Dependency) and R1 190 (Foster Child), respectively.
After February, the only remaining grant date before April 2025 is:
For assistance you can contact SASSA directly:
- SASSA Toll-Free Call: 0800 60 10 11
- SASSA Head Office: 012 400 2322
- Email SASSA: grantenquiries@sassa.gov.za
- Or email: president@presidency.gov.za
HOW CAN WE HELP WITH YOUR SASSA CHILDCARE GRANT?
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