To check your SASSA Foster Child Grant status, visit services.sassa.gov.za, call the toll-free helpline at 0800 60 10 11, or visit your nearest SASSA office. The Foster Child Grant pays R1,190 per month for each foster child placed in your care by a court order.
How to Check Your Foster Child Grant Status
The Foster Child Grant uses the general SASSA services portal. Here are the methods to check your grant status.
1. Online at services.sassa.gov.za
Visit services.sassa.gov.za and enter your details to view your Foster Child Grant status. The portal shows your application progress and payment information. It is available at any time.
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 Foster Child Grant status. They can also explain any issues with your application, court order, or payments.
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 and court order. A staff member can check your status and help resolve any issues. This is the best option for complicated cases, especially those involving court order renewals.
5. USSD
Dial *120*69277# from any network and follow the menu. This works on any cellphone, even without data or a smartphone.
Foster Child Grant Status Meanings
Here is what each SASSA status meaning indicates for the Foster Child Grant.
Approved: Your application was successful. You will receive R1,190 per month per foster child. Payments will continue for as long as you have a valid court order and the child remains in your care.
Pending / In Progress: SASSA is processing your application. Foster Child Grant applications require a valid court order, so processing depends on when all documents are received. If it has been more than 30 days, contact SASSA.
Declined / Rejected: Your application was not approved. This usually happens when the court order is invalid, expired, or not yet issued. It could also be due to missing documents. You can appeal the decision within 90 days.
Suspended: Your grant has been temporarily stopped. The most common reason is an expired court order. Foster care court orders must be renewed every two years (or as specified by the court). If your order has lapsed, your grant will be suspended until you provide a renewed order.
Lapsed: Your grant has expired. This typically happens when the court order has not been renewed for an extended period. Visit your SASSA office with a new or renewed court order to reinstate the grant.
Foster Child Grant Payment Dates 2026
The Foster Child Grant is paid on a specific date each month along with other SASSA grants. The current amount is R1,190 per month per foster child. If you are fostering more than one child, you receive R1,190 for each child with a valid court order.
For exact payment dates each month, visit our SASSA payment dates page. Payments can be collected at Post Offices, banks, or retail partners, or deposited directly into your bank account.
Common Foster Child Grant Problems
The Foster Child Grant has unique challenges because it requires a court order. Here are the most common issues and how to resolve them.
Court order expiry: This is the single biggest problem with the Foster Child Grant. Court orders for foster care typically need to be renewed every two years. If you do not renew the order in time, your grant payments will stop. Start the renewal process at least three months before the expiry date. Contact your social worker or the Children’s Court in your area.
Court order delays: Getting a foster care court order can take months due to backlogs in the court system. While you wait, keep in touch with your assigned social worker. Once you have the court order, apply for the grant at a SASSA office immediately. SASSA may backdate your grant to the date of the court order in some cases.
Social worker unavailability: A social worker must submit a report to the court as part of the foster care process. If your social worker is unavailable or the report is delayed, the entire process stalls. Contact the Department of Social Development in your province if you cannot reach your social worker.
Grant stopped after court order renewal: Sometimes there is a gap between when your old court order expires and when the new one is processed. During this gap, payments may stop. Bring the new court order to your SASSA office as soon as you receive it. Ask about any back-payments owed during the gap period.
Child turning 18: The Foster Child Grant normally stops when the child turns 18. However, if the child is still in school and under 21, the court can extend the order. Speak to your social worker about an extension well before the child’s 18th birthday.
Foster Child Grant Eligibility
To qualify for the SASSA Foster Child Grant, you must meet the following requirements.
- You must be appointed as a foster parent by a court order issued by the Children’s Court
- You must have a valid, current court order (not expired)
- The foster child must be under 18 years old (or under 21 if still in school, with an extended court order)
- You must be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee
- The child must be living with you in South Africa
There is no means test for the Foster Child Grant. Your income and assets do not affect eligibility. The grant is based on the court order, not your financial situation.
Applications are done in person at a SASSA office. Bring your South African ID, the court order appointing you as foster parent, the child’s birth certificate, and proof of residence. You cannot apply online for this grant.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a Foster Child Grant application take?
Once you have the court order and submit all required documents to SASSA, the application should be processed within 30 days. However, getting the court order itself can take several months depending on court and social worker availability.
Can I receive the Foster Child Grant for more than one child?
Yes. You receive R1,190 per month for each child placed in your care by a court order. Each child must have their own valid court order.
What happens if my court order expires?
Your Foster Child Grant payments will be suspended or stopped. You need to renew the court order through the Children’s Court. Start the renewal process at least three months before the expiry date to avoid a gap in payments. Contact your social worker to begin.
Can a grandparent get the Foster Child Grant?
Yes, but only if the grandparent has been appointed as a foster parent through a court order. Simply caring for a grandchild does not qualify. If you are a grandparent caring for a grandchild without a court order, you may be able to apply for the Child Support Grant (R530/month) as the primary caregiver instead.
My Foster Child Grant was declined. What should I do?
You can appeal the decision within 90 days. The most common reason for decline is an issue with the court order. Contact SASSA at 0800 60 10 11 to find out the specific reason and what documents you need.
For an overview of all SASSA grants, visit our SASSA status check by grant type hub or the main SASSA status check page.