Here’s how much SASSA pays in Child Support Grants every month

· The South African

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) pays an estimated R7.14 billion every month in Child Support Grants across the country, based on the number of grants recorded as at the end of June 2026.

With each Child Support Grant set at R580, KwaZulu-Natal accounts for the largest estimated monthly payout, at more than R1.63 billion.

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The figures are calculated using SASSA’s June 2026 social assistance report, which recorded 12 308 875 Child Support Grants nationally.

The grant is the country’s largest social assistance category, accounting for approximately 66% of all social grants in payment at the end of June.

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How much does each province receive every month?

The estimated monthly value of Child Support Grants in each province is as follows:

ProvinceNumber of grantsMonthly payoutKwaZulu-Natal2 825 716R1 639 915 280Limpopo1 889 769R1 096 066 020Gauteng1 883 188R1 092 249 040Eastern Cape1 797 739R1 042 688 620Mpumalanga1 135 752R658 736 160Western Cape941 419R546 023 020North West862 777R500 411 660Free State655 949R380 450 420Northern Cape316 566R183 608 280South Africa12 308 875R7 140 147 500

KwaZulu-Natal receives the biggest monthly payout

KwaZulu-Natal has the highest number of Child Support Grants, with 2 825 716 recorded at the end of June.

At R580 per grant, this translates into an estimated monthly payout of approximately R1.64 billion.

Limpopo is second, with an estimated R1.09 billion paid out monthly, narrowly ahead of Gauteng, which accounts for approximately R1.09 billion.

The Eastern Cape is the fourth-largest province by Child Support Grants numbers, with an estimated monthly payout of more than R1.04 billion.

At the other end of the scale, the Northern Cape has the lowest number of Child Support Grants. Its estimated monthly payout is approximately R183.6 million.

SASSA Child Support Grant costs R85.7 billion annually

If the number of grants and the monthly payment amount remained unchanged for a full year, the annual cost would be approximately R85.68 billion.

This calculation illustrates the scale of the Child Support Grant within South Africa’s social assistance system.

What is a Child Support Grant and how you can apply

The SASSA Child Support Grant is a monthly financial payment of R580 per child provided by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) to help lower-income primary caregivers meet a child’s basic needs.

Key Eligibility Requirements
  • Age: The child must be under the age of 18.
  • Citizenship: The applicant and the child must be South African citizens, permanent residents, or refugees.
  • Residence: Both must live permanently in South Africa.
  • Means Test (Income Limit):
    • Unmarried caregivers: Must earn an annual income of R52 800 or less (R4 400 per month)
    • Married caregivers: Combined annual income must be R105 600 or less (R8 800 per month)
  • Exclusions: The child must not be cared for in a state-funded institution. A caregiver can apply for up to six non-biological children (or biological children without a limit)
Required Documents for Application
  • Your 13-digit barcoded South African ID or smart ID card (and your spouse’s ID if married)
  • The child’s birth certificate
  • Proof of your income, employment status, or maintenance
  • Proof of marital status (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or death certificate if applicable)
  • Proof of school attendance if the child is of school-going age

How to Apply

  • Visit your nearest SASSA local office or apply online through the SASSA Services Portal
  • The application is free of charge
  • Processing can take up to 3 months, and if approved, backpay is usually calculated from the date of application

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