Millions of individuals living in South Africa rely on government grants to survive. Some of these grant recipients are set to qualify for a new top-up grant which will result in recipients receiving more money.
The Department of Social Development (DSD) has confirmed that more than 5 000 people have applied for the newly introduced Child Support Grant (CSG) Top-Up. These grant applications were processed by the end of July 2024.
The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) CSG Top Up is aimed at assisting relatives caring for orphans to provide for their basic needs. It will build upon the child support grant which covers more than 13 million beneficiaries monthly.
Its main purpose is to keep children in the care of their extended family while ensuring children living in extreme poverty can access financial assistance to supplement household income. These relatives will receive the basic CSG of R480, plus an additional amount of R240, bringing the total to R720.
Dr. Maureen Mogotsi, Director of Children and Family benefits says the CSG Top up differs from the Foster Child grant as the foster care grant is not a primary poverty alleviation measure. Its purpose is to ensure that children who require care and protection are well taken care of by the state.
They explained, “Children who qualify for the Foster Child Grant should be declared to be in need of care and support by a court of law. All orphans already in the foster care system will remain based on the court orders because it is constitutionally regressive to take the provision away from children who are already receiving it.”
Mogotsi said the DSD has made use of consultations, online platforms, and radio campaigns to inform members of the public about the grant. This came as concerns were raised as to whether enough people know about the grant.
Here’s What’s Needed To Apply For The Child Support Grant Top-Up Application
– Certified copies of the death certificates of the child’s parent/s; or
– Where the death certificate of one of the parents of the child cannot be obtained by the applicant, a certified copy of the death certificate of one parent and an affidavit by the applicant attesting to the unknown status of the child’s other parent.
Applicants can apply at Sassa offices around the country.
