Question NW1862 to the Minister of Social Development
08 June 2022 - NW1862
Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Social Development
(1)Whether, with reference to her department’s announcement during the meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Social Development on 20 April 2022 that the Child Support Grant (CSG) Top-Up will be implemented in May 2022, she will furnish Ms A L A Abrahams with further relevant information on (a) the total number of beneficiaries who will benefit from the CSG Top-Up, (b) how the beneficiaries were identified, (c) the Rand value to be allocated to each beneficiary in May 2022, (d) the exact date in May 2022 that the CSG Top-up Grant will be paid to beneficiaries and (e) the total budget allocated for the 202223 financial year for the CSG Top-Up grant; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether beneficiaries need to submit online application for the CSG top-up grant; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether the CSG top-up grant will be a permanent grant from May 2022 onwards; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) whether she has found that the top-up grant will improve the lives of vulnerable children in the Republic; if not, why not; if so, (a) how and (b) what are the further relevant details?
Reply:
1 (a) The projected number of beneficiaries for CSG top up are as follow:
- 2022/23 - 191,200
- 2023/24 - 238,500
- 2024/25 - 287,400
(b) The CSG top-up grant is not a new grant as it builds on the existing Child Support Grant by increasing the amount allocated to orphans in the care of relatives and orphans in child-headed households.
The following criteria is used to identify potential CSG top up beneficiaries:
- A child heading a household who is aged between 16 and 18 can apply for and receive the child support grant for him/herself as well as receive the CSG Top Up for the children under his/her care.
- A caregiver, or relatives of orphans taking care of orphaned children can apply for the CSG Top Up;
- CSG Top up applicants are subjected to the means test, where the applicant’s income and /or his/her spouse is considered.
The following requirements need to be adhered to in order to qualify for a CSG top up:
- Relatives will need to provide proof that they are related to the child by attesting to their relation to the child.
- Applicants need to provide proof that the child is an orphan by producing:
- A death certificate/s of the child’s parents or
- An affidavit attesting to their lack of knowledge as to whether the child’s parent is dead or alive.
(c) The CSG top up is set at the level of 50% of the Child Support Grant (CSG), and government will try to maintain it at this level. Thus when it is implemented in June 2022, the value of the CSG will be R480, the top up will be R240, bringing the total value of the CSG with the top up to R720.
(d) Due to delays with the translation of the regulations, it is expected that the regulations will only be published in June 2022. Potential beneficiaries will need to apply for the grant, and will be paid the top-up together with their CSG (as one payment).
(e) The projected expenditure for CSG top up for 2022/23 financial year is R550.66million, however will be lower due to delayed implementation.
(2) In June 2022, when the regulations are published applications will be taken manually at SASSA local offices. Later during the course of the year the online application system will be amended to accommodate the CSG Top-Up grant.
(3) The CSG top up is not a standalone grant, but an additional amount payable over and above the CSG; similar to the top up provided on the Older Persons Grant for those over 75. Once legislated it will be a permanent benefit, provided that beneficiaries meet the qualifying criteria for the CSG and those for the additional CSG top up.
(4) The CSG top up has not yet been implemented, thus it has not yet been evaluated. (a) However, we do know that the CSG has significant positive developmental impacts on the lives of children. These benefits relate to the increased income in households that receive grants; it is thus expected that this increase in the value of the CSG (through the top up) will increase those benefits. (b) Attached find a copy of the Child Support Grant impact evaluation study conducted by the department.