Child Support Grant Top-Up 2026: Additional Benefits Explained
Overview
The SASSA Child Support Grant Top-Up is an additional financial benefit provided to children who have lost both parents (double orphans) or whose primary caregiver is not their biological parent. As of January 2026, the top-up provides an extra R280 per month on top of the standard Child Support Grant amount of R530, bringing the total monthly support to R810 per child. This critical supplement recognizes the additional financial burden faced by relatives, extended family members, or child-headed households caring for orphaned children without the support of biological parents.
For January 2026, Child Support Grant Top-Up payments were disbursed on Thursday, January 8, 2026, alongside regular Child Support Grant payments. The top-up was introduced to support extended family members and caregivers who step forward to care for orphaned children, eliminating the need for formal foster care proceedings while ensuring these vulnerable children receive adequate financial support.
Purpose
The Child Support Grant Top-Up serves several essential purposes:
Supporting Orphaned Children: The primary purpose is to provide additional financial assistance for children who have lost both parents, acknowledging that raising orphaned children often involves extraordinary expenses beyond typical child-rearing costs including funeral expenses, emotional support services, and establishing new household routines.
Enabling Kinship Care: The top-up encourages relatives (grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, cousins) to care for orphaned family members by providing enhanced financial support, keeping children within their extended families rather than requiring placement in foster care or institutions.
Reducing Foster Care System Burden: By offering additional support without requiring formal foster care court orders, the top-up reduces pressure on the overburdened foster care system while ensuring children receive appropriate care in family settings.
Compensating Non-Biological Caregivers: The top-up recognizes that caregivers who are not biological parents often face unique challenges and expenses when taking responsibility for children, including legal costs, additional documentation requirements, and adjustments to household budgets.
Supporting Child-Headed Households: The top-up enables older siblings (aged 16-18) who become heads of households after parental death to access enhanced financial support for their younger siblings, helping keep families together during devastating circumstances.
Qualifications and Eligibility
To qualify for the Child Support Grant Top-Up in 2026, applicants must meet specific criteria:
Caregiver Eligibility:
- Must be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee
- Must be a relative of the child (grandparent, sibling, aunt, uncle, cousin) OR a child between 16-18 years old heading a household
- Must be the primary caregiver residing with the child
- Must meet the income means test requirements
Child Eligibility:
- Must be under 18 years old
- Both parents must be deceased (death certificates required for both parents), OR
- Primary caregiver is verified as NOT the biological parent
- Must reside in South Africa with the caregiver
- Cannot be cared for in a state-funded institution
Income Means Test (2026):
- Single caregivers: Annual income must not exceed R67,200 (R5,600 per month)
- Married caregivers: Combined annual income must not exceed R134,400 (R11,200 per month)
Special Cases:
- If one parent’s death certificate is unavailable and status is unknown, an affidavit explaining circumstances must be provided
- School-aged children require proof of school attendance
Important Limitation: Cannot apply for more than six non-biological children.
How to Apply
The Child Support Grant Top-Up application follows the same process as the standard Child Support Grant, with additional documentation requirements.
Apply at SASSA Offices
Step 1: Gather Required Documents
Standard Child Support Grant Documents:
- Your 13-digit bar-coded ID document
- Child’s birth certificate (unabridged showing both parents)
- Proof of income (payslips, bank statements for last 3 months)
- Proof of residence (utility bill, lease agreement – not older than 3 months)
- Bank account details and statement
- Proof of marital status (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or death certificate if widowed)
Additional Documents for Top-Up:
- Death certificates for both parents (most critical for orphaned children)
- If one parent’s status is unknown: Affidavit explaining circumstances and why death certificate cannot be obtained
- If you’re not the biological parent: Documentation proving your relationship to the child
- Proof of school attendance if child is school-going age
- Any supporting documents showing you’re the primary caregiver
Step 2: Visit Your Nearest SASSA Office
- Locate your office at www.sassa.gov.za or call 0800 60 10 11
- Visit during operating hours (Monday-Friday, 8 AM – 4 PM)
- Arrive early to avoid long queues
Step 3: Complete Application
- Request Child Support Grant application form
- Inform the SASSA official you’re applying for the top-up (provide death certificates or proof you’re not the biological parent)
- Complete the form with official assistance
- Submit all documents (originals and certified copies)
- Provide biometric verification (fingerprints)
- Receive stamped receipt as proof of application
Step 4: Processing
- Applications take up to 3 months to process
- If approved, payments are backdated to application date
- You’ll receive R810 per month (R530 standard grant + R280 top-up)
No Online Application
The Child Support Grant Top-Up cannot be applied for online. All applications must be submitted in person at SASSA offices with original documents for verification.
Payment Dates and Methods 2026
For Complete Payment Dates Full Calendar, Click Here
For January 2026, payments were made on Thursday, January 8, 2026.
Payment Amount: R810 per month (R530 base + R280 top-up)
Payment Methods:
- Direct bank deposit
- SASSA gold card
- Cash at pay points
- Post Office collection
- Retailers (Shoprite, Checkers, Pick n Pay)
The top-up is paid automatically with the regular Child Support Grant – there’s no separate payment.
Related SASSA Grants
If you’re fostering a child through court order, the Foster Care Grant provides R1,250 per month, which is higher than the Child Support Grant with top-up.
For children with severe disabilities requiring full-time care, the Care Dependency Grant provides R2,320 per month – significantly more than the Child Support Grant Top-Up.
Elderly grandparents caring for orphaned grandchildren can receive both the Old Age Grant (R2,315-R2,335) and the Child Support Grant Top-Up simultaneously.
If you’re unemployed while caring for orphaned children, consider the SRD Grant R370 for temporary personal relief.
Caregivers with disabilities can receive the Disability Grant (R2,315) while also receiving Child Support Grant Top-Up for the children.
If you require full-time care while raising orphaned children, apply for Grant in Aid (R560 additional) alongside your primary grant.
Veterans caring for orphaned grandchildren can receive both the War Veteran Grant (R2,335) and Child Support Grant Top-Up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a court order for the top-up? No, unlike the Foster Care Grant, the Child Support Grant Top-Up does not require a court order.
Can I apply if only one parent is deceased? No, both parents must be deceased, or you must be verified as not the biological parent.
Can a 17-year-old apply for younger siblings? Yes, children aged 16-18 who head households can apply for orphaned siblings.
What if I can’t get both death certificates? If one parent’s status is unknown, submit an affidavit explaining why the death certificate cannot be obtained.
How much total do I receive? R810 per child per month (R530 + R280 top-up).
Can I apply for multiple orphaned children? Yes, but maximum of six non-biological children.
Contact SASSA
- Toll-Free: 0800 60 10 11
- Website: www.sassa.gov.za
- Email: [email protected]
- Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 AM – 4 PM
The Child Support Grant Top-Up provides crucial additional support for South Africa’s most vulnerable children who have lost their parents, ensuring they receive adequate care within loving family environments.
