South Africa Care Dependency Grant the monthly support for parents, foster parents or primary caregivers of children with severe disabilities has been increased by R10 from R2,310 to R2,320, effective 1 October 2025. This uplift is part of the government’s April/October adjustment path to cushion vulnerable households from rising costs. The October 2025 payout run follows SASSA’s standard staggered schedule: Older Persons on Thursday, 2 October 2025; Disability on Friday, 3 October 2025; Children’s and remaining grants from Monday, 6 October 2025.
R2,320 Care Dependency Grant Quick Summary
Item |
Details |
|---|---|
New amount (from 1 Oct 2025) |
R2,320 per month for the Care Dependency Grant (up from R2,310). |
October 2025 pay dates |
Older Persons: 2 Oct 2025; Disability: 3 Oct 2025; Children’s & other grants: 6 Oct 2025. |
Who qualifies (high level) |
Parent, foster parent, or primary caregiver of a child under 18 with severe disability needing full-time/special care; means test applies (not for foster parents). Child must not be in permanent state care. Both caregiver and child must live in SA. |
How often paid |
Monthly (added to the usual monthly grant run with other SASSA grants). |
Where to check status |
SASSA Services Portal (online status and info): services.sassa.gov.za; SASSA site for grant pages: sassa.gov.za. |
Official guidance on eligibility |
See gov.za Care Dependency page for rules, documents, and how to apply. (Government of South Africa) |
What Changed in October 2025 and Why It Matters
Following the national budget’s two-step plan, SASSA confirmed that most core social grants receive a R10 top-up from 1 October 2025. For the Care Dependency Grant, the amount is now R2,320 per month. While modest, this adjustment recognises persistent price pressures especially acute for households caring for a child who requires special or full-time care and often faces elevated transport, nutrition, and medical costs. Multiple mainstream outlets and SASSA communications have confirmed the R10 increase and the R2,320 level for October.
Note: Some government reference pages may still show R2,310 while websites refresh content; the October adjustment to R2,320 has been publicly confirmed for the 1 October cycle. Always verify your personal grant on the SASSA Services Portal.
October 2025 Payout Dates (Staggered Schedule)
To reduce queues and ensure smoother processing, SASSA follows a staggered run:
- Older Persons Grant: Thursday, 2 October 2025
- Disability Grant: Friday, 3 October 2025
- Children’s & remaining grants (incl. Care Dependency): Monday, 6 October 2025
SASSA and local media remind beneficiaries that funds remain available after payday at retailers and ATMs there’s no need to rush on day one.
Who Qualifies for the Care Dependency Grant (High-Level Rules)
The Care Dependency Grant assists with the cost of caring for a child under 18 who has a severe disability and requires full-time and special care. High-level criteria include:
- Who can apply: A parent, primary caregiver, or foster parent (appointed by court). Applicants must be SA citizens, permanent residents, or refugees, and live in South Africa with the child.
- Child requirements: The child must be younger than 18, have a severe disability needing full-time care, and not be in permanent state institutional care. A state medical officer assesses the disability before approval.
- Means test: A household means test applies to parents/primary caregivers (not to foster parents). The gov.za page sets out the income thresholds and documentation.
Tip: Provincial resource pages sometimes show historic thresholds; rely on gov.za and SASSA for current rules, and use the Services Portal to confirm what applies to you.
How the Grant Is Paid and Managed
The Care Dependency Grant is paid monthly and typically reflects in the same run as other grants from the 6 October window for children’s grants. Beneficiaries can receive funds via bank deposit or approved retail channels linked to SASSA. If you already receive another grant (e.g., Foster Child Grant) for the same child and also qualify for Care Dependency, SASSA provides guidance on combining allowances where eligible under current rules. Use the Services Portal or your local SASSA office for case-specific advice.
Practical Steps to Confirm Your October Amount
- Check your status online: Log into the SASSA Services Portal for grant status and next pay run details.
- Keep records up to date: If your banking details, caregiver status, or the child’s circumstances change, update SASSA promptly to avoid interruptions.
- Use official channels: Beware of imitation sites. Use sassa.gov.za, services.sassa.gov.za, and the gov.za service page for Care Dependency.
FAQs: R2,320 Care Dependency Grant (October 2025)
1) Is the R2,320 amount officially confirmed for October 2025?
Yes. SASSA and reputable outlets have confirmed the R10 increase to R2,320 effective 1 October 2025.
2) When will October 2025 payments reflect?
Children’s and remaining grants (including Care Dependency) are scheduled from Monday, 6 October 2025. Posting may vary by bank/retailer processing.
3) Who qualifies for the Care Dependency Grant?
A parent, primary caregiver, or foster parent caring for a child under 18 with a severe disability needing full-time care, meeting residency and means test rules (except foster parents).
4) Is the child’s disability assessment needed?
Yes. A state medical officer must assess the child; approval follows SASSA’s eligibility regulations.
5) Where can I apply or check my grant online?
Use the SASSA Services Portal for online services and status, and the SASSA/gov.za pages for official guidance and forms.
6) Will amounts change again before March 2026?
The R2,320 level applies October 2025 March 2026, consistent with the Budget plan; any further changes would be announced officially.
Conclusion
From 1 October 2025, the Care Dependency Grant rises to R2,320, with children’s and remaining grants paid from 6 October in the monthly cycle. Though the increase is small, it acknowledges the higher cost burden on families supporting a child with severe disability. Verify your amount and banking details through the SASSA Services Portal, and consult the gov.za service page for up-to-date eligibility and documentation requirements.
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