I remember the first time I met Nthabiseng, a 62-year-old grandmother from Soweto who became the foster parent to her three grandchildren after losing her daughter to illness. We sat at her kitchen table, a worn plastic cloth covering the surface, as she sorted through a stack of wrinkled papers – birth certificates, court documents, and SASSA notifications.
“This grant is what keeps us going,” she told me, carefully folding a SASSA letter and returning it to a plastic folder. “Without it, I don’t know how we would manage. But sometimes understanding the system feels like a full-time job itself.”
Nthabiseng’s experience reflects that of thousands of foster caregivers across South Africa who rely on the Foster Child Grant – now valued at R1170 per child – to provide for vulnerable children in their care. As SASSA releases the latest round of payments, caregivers are navigating both welcome support and frustrating bureaucratic hurdles.
The Latest Payment Release: Dates and Disbursement
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has confirmed the release of the R1170 Foster Child Grant payments for the current cycle. The payment schedule follows SASSA’s established staggered distribution approach, organized according to the last three digits of recipients’ ID numbers:
- Days 1-2: IDs ending in 000-099
- Days 3-4: IDs ending in 100-199
- Days 5-6: IDs ending in 200-299
- Days 7-8: IDs ending in 300-399
- Days 9-10: IDs ending in 400-499
- Days 11-12: IDs ending in 500-599
- Days 13-14: IDs ending in 600-699
- Days 15-16: IDs ending in 700-799
- Days 17-18: IDs ending in 800-899
- Days 19-20: IDs ending in 900-999
I visited the SASSA office in Pietermaritzburg last week, arriving at 5:30 AM to find a queue already forming in the pre-dawn darkness. Mothers, grandmothers, and a few fathers stood patiently, some with sleepy children wrapped in blankets despite the warm weather.
“I come early because if you arrive after 7, you might not be helped today,” explained Thandi Ndlovu, who fosters her sister’s two children. She had brought a small stool to sit on and a flask of coffee to share with those around her. “Some people sleep here overnight when the payments are first released.”
The payment methods remain unchanged from previous cycles, with recipients able to access their grants through:
- Direct Bank Deposits: Payments made directly to the recipient’s bank account
- SASSA Cards: Withdrawals using SASSA-issued cards at ATMs or participating merchants
- Post Bank: Collections from Post Office branches
- Retail Outlets: Withdrawals at partner retailers including Shoprite, Boxer, and Pick n Pay
While direct deposits typically process smoothly, those collecting from Post Offices often face additional challenges. During my visit to the Umlazi Post Office, I witnessed system outages that left dozens of foster parents waiting for hours, many with children in tow.
“I’ve been here since 8 AM, and the system has been down twice already,” sighed Bongani Mkhize, a 45-year-old man who fosters his nephew. “I took the day off work for this. If I don’t get paid today, that’s another day’s wages lost to come back tomorrow.”
Understanding the Foster Child Grant Amount
The current R1170 per child per month represents an increase from previous amounts, adjusted to help caregivers manage the rising cost of living. However, many foster parents note that the amount, while helpful, falls short of covering the full financial burden of raising a child.
“School fees, uniforms, transport, food – the costs add up quickly,” explained Nomfundo Dlamini, who fosters two children in Orange Farm. “The grant helps, definitely, but by mid-month, I’m already counting cents to make it stretch.”
For perspective, recent research from the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group indicates that the cost of a basic nutritious monthly food basket for a child is approximately R840 – leaving just R330 from the grant for all other expenses including clothing, school supplies, transport, and medical needs.
Social worker Thembeka Mabaso, whom I interviewed at her office in Durban, explained: “The grant wasn’t designed to cover 100% of a child’s expenses. The assumption is that foster parents contribute from their own resources as well. But the reality is that many foster caregivers are grandparents on pension or relatives who are themselves financially stretched.”
Eligibility Requirements and Duration
The Foster Child Grant’s eligibility criteria distinguish it from other child support grants in South Africa. To qualify, potential recipients must:
- Be the court-appointed foster parent of a child under 18 years
- Be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee
- Pass the court’s screening and home study process
- Not use the grant for personal purposes unrelated to the child’s care
- Ensure the child remains in their care
Unlike the Child Support Grant, there is no income threshold test for the Foster Child Grant, as the grant is based on the child’s status rather than the caregiver’s financial situation.
“Many people don’t understand the difference,” said court-appointed social worker James Mbatha, who helps process foster care applications. “The Foster Child Grant isn’t based on poverty – it’s based on the legal status of the child being placed in foster care through a court order.”
One of the most challenging aspects of the grant is its limited duration. Foster care orders typically last for two years, after which they must be extended by the court for the grant to continue.
“The renewal process is where many foster parents get stuck,” Mbatha explained. “Courts are backlogged, social workers are overloaded with cases, and sometimes the paperwork falls through the cracks. We’ve had situations where foster parents did everything right, but their grants stopped because the court couldn’t process the extension in time.”
This was precisely the situation facing Lindiwe Zulu, whom I met at the Pietermaritzburg SASSA office. Her grant for her granddaughter had been suspended despite her having applied for renewal three months before the expiration date.
“I submitted all the papers, but they say the court hasn’t processed the extension yet,” she explained, visibly frustrated. “Meanwhile, what is my child supposed to eat? How will I pay for her school transport?”
Recent Changes and Challenges
The SASSA Foster Child Grant system has undergone several important changes that affect current and prospective recipients:
1. Digital Application Enhancements
SASSA has improved its online portal to facilitate easier tracking of applications and renewals. Foster parents can now register on the SASSA website to monitor their application status, receive notifications about required documents, and get alerts when renewal deadlines approach.
However, the digital divide remains a significant barrier. During my visits to various communities, I observed that many foster caregivers – particularly elderly grandparents in rural areas – lack internet access or digital literacy skills to utilize these online tools.
“The website is helpful for those who can use it,” acknowledged SASSA regional manager Sipho Mthembu during our interview. “But we recognize that many of our beneficiaries still need face-to-face support. That’s why we maintain our physical offices and community outreach programs.”
2. Renewal Process Streamlining
Following years of advocacy from civil society organizations, the Department of Social Development has introduced measures to streamline the foster care order renewal process. Social workers can now process certain straightforward renewals without a full court appearance, reducing the administrative burden on an already strained court system.
“This change has been a long time coming,” noted children’s rights advocate Nomsa Thwala. “For years, we’ve seen foster children’s grants lapse simply because of administrative backlogs, not because there were any concerns about the quality of care. This streamlined process helps prevent those gaps in support.”
However, implementation remains inconsistent across different regions. In more resource-constrained areas, foster parents still report significant delays in renewal processing.
3. Banking Verification Requirements
SASSA has implemented enhanced banking verification procedures to reduce fraud, requiring foster parents to provide more detailed banking information and undergo regular verification checks.
While these measures help protect the integrity of the grant system, they’ve created additional hurdles for some caregivers. At the Umlazi SASSA office, I watched as an elderly grandmother was turned away because her bank verification documents were older than three months, requiring her to make another trip to the bank before returning to SASSA.
“Each trip costs money,” explained community worker Zanele Mbatha, who assists foster parents with applications. “Transport fees, taking time off work, sometimes paying someone to watch the other children while you stand in queues all day. These verification requirements make sense from an administrative perspective, but they add another layer of difficulty for people who are already struggling.”
The Human Impact: Stories from Foster Families
Beyond the administrative details and policy changes, the Foster Child Grant represents a lifeline for thousands of vulnerable children and their caregivers. During my research for this article, I collected stories that highlight the grant’s real-world impact.
In a small home in Khayelitsha, I met Mama Gloria, who at 71 years old is raising four grandchildren after losing both her daughters to illness. The walls of her living room are covered with school certificates and artwork created by the children in her care.
“When my daughter passed, I didn’t think about the money,” she said, her hands gently sorting through a pile of school uniforms she was mending. “I just knew these children needed a home. But the reality of feeding four growing children quickly set in. The foster grant made it possible for me to give them not just love, but also the practical things they need.”
The grant often enables educational opportunities that would otherwise be inaccessible. In Polokwane, 14-year-old Thabo proudly showed me his school science project – a working model of a solar water heater. His foster mother, Patience, explained that the materials were purchased with money from his foster grant.
“He is so bright, this one,” she said, smiling at the boy. “The grant helps me make sure his brain gets the chance to grow. We set aside a small amount each month for extras for school – special projects, the calculator he needed for math, things like that.”
For some children in foster care, the grant provides access to specialized services to address past trauma. Ten-year-old Nomvula, who entered foster care after experiencing abuse in her birth home, attends weekly therapy sessions partially funded through her foster grant.
“The government healthcare couldn’t give her the consistent support she needed,” her foster mother explained. “With the grant, we can afford a sliding-scale therapist who specializes in childhood trauma. I’ve watched my child slowly begin to trust again, to feel safe again. You can’t put a price on that.”
Navigating Common Challenges: Advice for Foster Caregivers
Based on my conversations with social workers, SASSA officials, and experienced foster parents, here are some practical tips for navigating the Foster Child Grant system:
1. Documentation Management
“Keep copies of everything,” advised veteran foster mother Gladys Nkosi. “I have a folder for each child with their birth certificate, court orders, SASSA letters – everything. When I go to SASSA, I bring the originals and two sets of copies.”
Social worker Thembeka Mabaso recommends creating a foster care calendar: “Mark the dates when your court order expires, when you need to start the renewal process, and when you should follow up if you haven’t heard anything. Being proactive about these dates can prevent grant interruptions.”
2. Renewal Timing
Begin the renewal process at least three months before your current foster care order expires. This buffer allows time to navigate potential administrative delays without interrupting the child’s grant payments.
“The system is imperfect,” acknowledged Magistrate Vuyisile Malaza, who oversees foster care cases. “Starting early gives us the time we need to process renewals before expiration. Foster parents who wait until the last minute often fall victim to the backlogs in the system.”
3. Banking Management
Consider opening a dedicated bank account for the foster child’s grant to simplify record-keeping and verification processes. This separation makes it easier to demonstrate that the funds are being used appropriately for the child’s needs.
“I keep a simple expense book,” shared foster father Mandla Sithole. “Each month I write down what was spent from the grant money – school fees, clothes, medical expenses. It helps me manage the money better, and if SASSA ever questions how the grant is being used, I have clear records.”
4. Community Support
Connect with other foster parents in your community to share information, resources, and support. Many areas have formal or informal foster parent networks that provide valuable guidance for navigating the system.
During my visit to a community hall in Soweto, I observed a monthly meeting of foster parents who shared everything from bureaucratic advice to clothing swaps and homework help resources. “We understand each other’s challenges in a way no one else can,” explained the group’s coordinator. “Sometimes the best help comes from someone who’s walked the same path.”
Looking Forward: Potential Developments
As South Africa continues to refine its social support systems, several potential developments may affect the Foster Child Grant program in the coming years:
1. Integrated Electronic Systems
SASSA is working toward better integration between court systems, social development databases, and payment mechanisms to reduce the administrative barriers that currently cause payment interruptions.
“The goal is a seamless system where a court extension automatically updates the SASSA payment authorization,” explained systems analyst Thabo Mokoena, who consults with government departments on database integration. “We’re not there yet, but that’s the direction we’re moving in.”
2. Inflation-Linked Increases
Advocacy groups continue to push for the Foster Child Grant to be linked to inflation measures that specifically track child-related expenses, rather than general inflation indices.
“The costs of raising a child often increase faster than general inflation,” noted economist Dr. Nomfundo Dube. “School fees, uniforms, growing children needing new clothes and more food – these expenses can outpace the standard inflation adjustments to the grant amount.”
3. Extension of Support Age
Discussions are ongoing about potentially extending foster care support beyond the current cut-off at 18 years, particularly for children completing secondary education or vocational training.
“The arbitrary cut-off at 18 doesn’t reflect the reality of what children need,” argued child welfare advocate Michael Songo. “Many foster children are still completing basic education at 18 or 19 due to earlier disruptions in their schooling. Cutting support precisely when they’re about to complete their education can undermine years of investment in their future.”
Beyond the Grant Amount
As I prepared to leave Nthabiseng’s home in Soweto, she showed me a photo of her eldest grandchild in a graduation gown. “The foster grant helped him get here,” she said proudly. “But money is only part of what these children need. They need love, stability, someone who believes in them.”
The SASSA R1170 Foster Child Grant represents an important material support for vulnerable children, but as Nthabiseng wisely noted, it’s just one component of what creates successful outcomes for children in foster care. The financial support, though inadequate in many ways, helps create spaces where caring adults can provide the emotional and developmental support that ultimately determines a child’s trajectory.
For the thousands of South African foster caregivers receiving their grants this month, the R1170 per child represents not just money, but possibility – the possibility of education, nutrition, healthcare, and ultimately, the chance for vulnerable children to thrive despite difficult beginnings.
As we navigate the complexities of the system, it’s worth remembering the purpose behind the paperwork: supporting those who have opened their homes and hearts to children in need, and ensuring that South Africa’s most vulnerable young citizens have the resources they need to grow into healthy, productive adults.
Also Read –
How To Apply And Qualify For The SASSA SRD Grant In March 2025