Foster Child Grant 2026/27
A monthly grant for foster parents of a child placed in their care by a children's court. It is R1 290 from 1 April 2026 and R1 300 from 1 October 2026, with no means test.
Monthly amount, 2026/27
R1 300
per foster child
- From 1 April 2026
- R1 290
- From 1 October 2026
- R1 300
- Before 1 April 2026
- R1 250
Government Gazette GN R.7287 of 23 March 2026. Amounts for 2027/28 are not yet published.
Who qualifies
- A children's court has placed the child in your foster care (or you hold letters of tutorship for the child).
- You and the child live in South Africa and you are a citizen, permanent resident or refugee.
- The child is under 18. SASSA's booklet says the grant can be extended to age 21 if the child is still in school.
- There is no income or asset test. SASSA's booklet sets a limit of six foster children, unless they are siblings.
Means test
Not means tested. A foster parent qualifies regardless of income once a children's court has placed the child in their care.
Source: SASSA means test leaflet, checked against the formulas in the regulations (GN R.2119 of 2022, Annexures A to D).
Payment dates
- Older Person's Grant30 October 2026FridayRevised: was 3 November 2026Older person's grants
- Disability Grant2 November 2026MondayRevised: was 4 November 2026Disability grants
- Children's grants3 November 2026TuesdayRevised: was 5 November 2026Child Support, Foster Child and Care Dependency grants
Thursday 5 November 2026: Fourth-day payment for beneficiaries whose grants are under review.
SASSA revised the November 2026 dates ahead of the Local Government Elections, with National Treasury approval (media statement of 14 October 2026). Older persons are paid on Friday 30 October 2026.
Official source: SASSA media statement, 14 October 2026: revised November 2026 payment dates ahead of the Local Government Elections (SASSA) · Original schedule: DSD: SASSA confirms 2026/2027 social grant payment schedule and increases (approved by National Treasury on 20 March 2026)
See every month's official dates
How to apply
Apply at a SASSA office once the court order is made. SASSA's 2026 booklet lists your 13-digit ID (or refugee permit), the foster child's birth certificate, the court order placing the child with you, proof of marital status, and a bank confirmation letter or statement for the account you want to be paid into. See the guide to applying.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Foster Child Grant in 2026?
R1 290 a month from 1 April 2026 and R1 300 a month from 1 October 2026, per foster child. It was R1 250 before April 2026.
Is there a means test for the Foster Child Grant?
No. A foster parent qualifies regardless of income (regulations, Annexure C).
From when is the Foster Child Grant paid?
The date the children's court placed the child with you counts as the date of application (regulation 14(2)).
Can I get the Child Support Grant and the Foster Child Grant for the same child?
Ask SASSA which grant applies to your situation. Foster parents of a child with a severe disability can also get the Care Dependency Grant regardless of income.