LATEST updates on SASSA Children’s Grants for May 2026

Finally, some good news for SASSA Children’s Grants for May 2026. The April cycle was one to forget for more than 14-million recipients, after the agency delayed payment till after the Easter long weekend. And then had the audacity to wish beneficiaries a Happy Easter!

However, SASSA Children’s Grants for May 2026 at least return to a normal four-week rotation. Therefore, Thursday 7 May 2026 is the date you can confidently put into your diary. Meanwhile, the actual grant amounts paid to childcare beneficiaries won’t change, and that still has many seeing red …

SASSA CHILDREN’S GRANTS FOR MAY 2026

So, after contentious 3.4% increases to South African Social Security Agency grants earlier this month, SASSA Children’s Grants for May 2026 will be disbursed like so:

• SASSA Child Support moves from R560 to R580. It is paid to more than 13-million qualifying households with children under the age of 18. This makes it the most expensive social welfare grant in the national fiscus.
• For new applicants, to be eligible, the caregiver must earn no more than R5 100 per month, or R61 200 per year. While the income limit for married couples/partners doubles to R10 200 per month, or R122 400 per year.
• Interestingly, if you start child support from month one of a newborn’s life, you will receive approximately R190 000 in financial support until they are no longer eligible (adjusted for inflation).

WHAT ABOUT FOSTER CHILD AND CARE DEPENDENCY?

Moreover, SASSA Children’s Grants for May 2026 also include SASSA Foster Child and SASSA Care Dependency Grants. As titled, the former is only for SASSA-approved, court-appointed homes that care for foster children. And this recently increased by R40 from R1 250 to R1 290.

The latter, SASSA Care Dependency, is for mentally and/or physically disabled children under the age of 18. As such, this pays the same as adult Disability, so it increased by R80 from R2 320 to R2 400 this month. Disability, whether temporary or permanent, has to be determined by state-appointed doctor, officially acknowledged by SASSA.

HOW TO APPLY FOR SASSA CHILDREN’S GRANTS FOR MAY 2026

Besides the income requirements for SASSA Children’s Grants for May 2026, there are a few agency administration boxes you need to tick. But the good news is Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe says if you get the following right first time, you can get a Child Support Grant on the same day you apply!

Previously, the waiting period for SASSA approval was closer to three months. So, this is a huge improvement, and here’s what you need to bring to your appointment:

• Valid identity documents (IDs) and birth certificates of you, your child and spouse (if married).
• Proof of marital status (marriage, birth or death certificate of your spouse).
• Proof of income, including other SASSA grants (you and your spouse).
• Certified three-month bank statement, not older than three months.
• Proof of address (a utility statement with your name on it that’s not more the three-months old).

Note that, Care Dependency and Foster Child have additional eligibility needs, as mentioned above …

You can contact SASSA through the following channels for more information:

• SASSA Toll-Free Call: 0800 60 10 11
• SASSA Head Office: 012 400 2322
• Email SASSA: [email protected]
• For eLife Certification you can visit the SASSA Service portal HERE