Question NW6 to the Minister of Social Development
28 March 2023 - NW6
Breedt, Ms T to ask the Minister of Social Development
(1) What (a) are the requirements to qualify for the Child Support Grant (CSG), (b) total number of caregivers receive the CSG, (c) is the current total number of children that the CSG is paid out to and (d) is the estimated increase in the number of persons that the CSG will be paid out to annually in the next five years; (2) whether she will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
1.(a) In terms of Social Assistance legislation, Section 6 of the Social Assistance Act, 2004 as amended and, Regulations 7 & 8 thereof, the qualifying requirements for the Child Support Grant (CSG) are as follows:
- The primary care giver must be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee.
- Both the applicant and the child must reside in South Africa.
- The applicant must be the primary care giver of the child/ children concerned.
- The dependent children must be under the age of 18, cannot be cared for in state institution, not in receipt of the Foster Child Grant or Care Dependency Grant.
- There is no limit on the number of biological children that a caregiver can claim for but, a maximum of six non-biological children.
The CSG is paid to primary caregivers aged 16 or above.
In addition, the CSG is subject to a means test, meaning that the applicant/ primary caregiver needs to meet the financial criteria set out in the Social Assistance Regulations. Currently, to qualify for a CSG, a single primary caregiver should earn less than R57 600 per year, while married primary care givers should earn less than R115 200 per year (combined income) to be eligible for a CSG.
(b) The total number of caregivers receiving CSG is 7 367 265 by end January 2023.
(c) The total number of children receiving CSG is 13 165 216 by end January 2023.
(d) The following are MTEF estimates of CSG:
- 2022/2023 – 13 242 635
- 2023/2024 – 13 412 796
- 2024/2025 – 13 577 519
- 2025/2026 – 13 745 529
(2) The Social Assistance Legislation which provides for the qualifying criteria was gazetted and is a public document. Further, information on qualifying requirements is available on the SASSA website (e.g., You and Your Grant) and at SASSA local offices. SASSA & DSD continuously conducts awareness session on same.