To check your SASSA Care Dependency Grant status, visit services.sassa.gov.za, call the toll-free helpline at 0800 60 10 11, or visit your nearest SASSA office. The Care Dependency Grant pays R2,190 per month for parents or caregivers of children under 18 who need permanent care due to a severe disability.
How to Check Your Care Dependency Grant Status
The Care Dependency Grant uses the general SASSA services portal. Here are all the methods to check your grant status.
1. Online at services.sassa.gov.za
Visit services.sassa.gov.za and enter your details. You can view your Care Dependency Grant application status and payment history. The portal is available 24 hours a day.
2. Phone the SASSA Helpline
Call 0800 60 10 11 toll-free from Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm. Give the agent your ID number and they will check your Care Dependency Grant status. This is a good option if you need detailed information about your application or medical assessment.
3. WhatsApp
Send a message to 082 046 8553 on WhatsApp. Follow the prompts and provide your ID number. You will receive basic information about your grant status.
4. Visit a SASSA Office
Go to your nearest SASSA office with your ID document. A staff member can check your status and help you with any medical assessment requirements, document submissions, or other issues.
5. USSD
Dial *120*69277# from any network and follow the prompts. This works on any cellphone without needing data or a smartphone.
Care Dependency Grant Status Meanings
Here is what each SASSA status meaning indicates for the Care Dependency Grant.
Approved: Your application was successful. You will receive R2,190 per month for the child in your care. The grant will continue as long as the child is under 18, has a qualifying disability, and you meet the eligibility requirements.
Pending / In Progress: SASSA is still processing your application. Care Dependency Grant applications require a medical assessment of the child, which can take time. If it has been more than 30 days since you submitted all documents, contact SASSA for an update.
Medical Assessment Required: SASSA needs the child to be assessed by a SASSA-appointed medical professional. You will receive a date and venue for the assessment. Make sure to attend with the child, as missing the appointment will delay your application.
Declined / Rejected: Your application was not approved. Common reasons include: the medical assessment did not confirm a severe enough disability, the child does not require permanent care, you failed the means test, or documents were missing. You can appeal the decision within 90 days.
Suspended: Your grant has been temporarily stopped. This can happen if SASSA needs to re-verify the child’s medical condition, if you have not collected payments, or if there is a change in your circumstances. Visit your SASSA office to resolve this.
Care Dependency Grant Payment Dates 2026
The Care Dependency Grant is paid on a specific date each month along with other SASSA grants. The current amount is R2,190 per month.
For exact payment dates, visit our SASSA payment dates page, which is updated regularly. Payments can be collected at Post Offices, banks, retail partners like Shoprite and Pick n Pay, or deposited directly into your bank account.
Common Care Dependency Grant Problems
Here are the most common issues with the Care Dependency Grant and how to resolve them.
Medical assessment challenges: The child’s disability must be assessed by a SASSA-appointed doctor. If the doctor determines the disability is not severe enough or that the child does not need permanent full-time care, the grant will be declined. If you disagree, gather supporting medical reports from the child’s own doctor and submit an appeal.
Means test failure: The Care Dependency Grant has a means test. If your income or assets are above the threshold, your application will be declined. This applies to both single and married applicants, with different thresholds for each. Ask at your SASSA office about the current limits.
Renewal and reassessment: SASSA may periodically reassess the child’s condition to confirm they still qualify. You will be notified of the reassessment date. Make sure to attend with the child and bring any updated medical reports.
Child turning 18: The Care Dependency Grant stops when the child turns 18. Before the child’s 18th birthday, you should explore whether they qualify for the Disability Grant (for adults aged 18-59). Apply for the Disability Grant before the Care Dependency Grant ends so there is no gap in support.
Document problems: Applications may be delayed if you are missing the child’s birth certificate, medical reports, your ID, or proof of income. Prepare all documents before visiting the SASSA office. If a document is missing, ask SASSA exactly what they need so you can provide it quickly.
Care Dependency Grant Eligibility
To qualify for the SASSA Care Dependency Grant, you must meet the following requirements.
- You must be the parent or caregiver of the child
- The child must be under 18 years of age
- The child must have a severe disability that requires permanent care or support from another person
- The child’s disability must be confirmed by a medical assessment arranged by SASSA
- You must pass the means test (income and assets below the SASSA thresholds)
- You must be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee
- The child must not be living permanently in a government-funded institution (except special schools)
- You and the child must live in South Africa
Applications are done in person at a SASSA office. Bring your South African ID, the child’s birth certificate, any medical reports or diagnosis letters, proof of residence, and proof of income (or an affidavit if unemployed). SASSA will arrange a medical assessment for the child.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifies as a severe disability for the Care Dependency Grant?
The child must have a physical or mental disability so severe that they require permanent care from another person. Examples include severe cerebral palsy, severe intellectual disability, or conditions that prevent the child from performing daily activities without help. A SASSA-appointed doctor makes the final determination.
Can I receive the Care Dependency Grant and the Child Support Grant for the same child?
No. You cannot receive both grants for the same child. The Care Dependency Grant (R2,190) is significantly higher than the Child Support Grant (R530) and is specifically for children with severe disabilities. If your child qualifies for the Care Dependency Grant, it replaces the Child Support Grant.
How long does a Care Dependency Grant application take?
Applications can take 30 to 90 days because the child must undergo a medical assessment by a SASSA-appointed doctor. Processing time depends on how quickly the assessment is arranged and whether all documents are submitted.
What happens when the child turns 18?
The Care Dependency Grant stops when the child turns 18. If the child still has a severe disability, they can apply for the adult Disability Grant (also R2,190 per month). Apply at a SASSA office before the child’s 18th birthday to avoid a gap in payments.
My Care Dependency Grant was declined. What can I do?
You can submit an appeal within 90 days. Include supporting medical reports from the child’s own doctors. You can also contact SASSA at 0800 60 10 11 to understand the specific reason for the decline.
For an overview of all SASSA grants and how to check each one, visit our SASSA status check by grant type hub or the main SASSA status check page.