The Foster Child Grant is a monthly amount that supports foster parents. Caregivers who have been legally appointed by a Court to look after children placed in their care with a care order would be entitled to this grant to help with the child’s basic needs such as food, clothing, health, and education, available up to the age of 18 years or, in some instances, up to 21 should the applicant still be in secondary school.
Who Gets It?
The caregiver has to be either a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee with both the caregiver and the child residing in South Africa. The child has to be legally placed into the custody of the caregiver through a court order, which creates the legal and caregiving relationships needed for the grant to be considered.
Grant Amount And Payment Method
Caregivers receive R1,250 each month for each child, symbolizing recognition of the responsibility required to raise a foster child. SASSA grants are paid by: direct deposit into the bank or Postbank, cash payments at specific pay points, or payment through authorized welfare organizations. If a caregiver is not able to collect the grant personally, he or she may appoint a procurator or sign a power of attorney for another person with the right to collect it on his or her behalf.
Review And Renewal Process
The Foster Child Grant undergoes periodic reviews, usually about two years after being granted, or whenever the court order expires. SASSA gives caregivers advance notice so that the arrangements remain valid and the child is still with them. Usually, caregivers get a three-month notice before they are to submit new documentation or go into reassessment.
Suspension Or Lapse In The Grant
Any action that changes the caregiving arrangement may trigger the suspension or discontinuance of a care dependency grant. Failure to comply with review requirements defeats fraudulence, misinformation, or non-claiming of the grant over a period of three months, all rendering suspension or discontinuance. The grant lapses if the child dies or is admitted into a state institution, no longer in the care of the caregiver, or the caregiver travels out of the country.
Application Essentials
A caregiver is to report to the nearest SASSA (South African Social Security Agency) office to apply. Basic documents required include the caregiver’s identification documents, the child’s birth certificate, the court order of placement, and documentation proving either marital or refugee status (if applicable). If not in possession of any essential identity documents, the applicant may submit affidavits with alternative forms of identification, provided that it is backed by a reputable local authority or social worker.
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