Who can apply for the grant?

Only people whose financial situation is below a certain level can get the grant. A means test is used to determine whether you qualify or not. 

If you're the primary caregiver of a child (a parent, grandparent or anyone who is mainly responsible to look after the child) you'll need the following to qualify for a grant:

• Be a South African citizen or have permanent residency.
• If you're single, you can't earn more than R49 200 per year (R4 100 per month). If you're married, your combined income should not be above R98 400 per year (R8 200 per month). 

For the child to qualify they must:

• be under 18 years old,
• not be in the care of a state institution,
• live with the primary caregiver, who's not paid to look after the child.

Remember if you are not the child’s parent, you must provide proof that you are the primary caregiver of the child. You can do this by completing an affidavit from the nearest police station, a social worker’s report and an affidavit from the biological parent or a letter from the principal of the school that the child attends.

You can't apply for the grant if:

• you're being paid to look after the child,
• not the child’s primary caregiver,
• someone is already getting a grant for the child,
• you represent an institution which takes care of the child,
• if you're taking care of more than 6 children.