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

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:
| Province | Number of grants | Monthly payout |
|---|---|---|
| KwaZulu-Natal | 2 825 716 | R1 639 915 280 |
| Limpopo | 1 889 769 | R1 096 066 020 |
| Gauteng | 1 883 188 | R1 092 249 040 |
| Eastern Cape | 1 797 739 | R1 042 688 620 |
| Mpumalanga | 1 135 752 | R658 736 160 |
| Western Cape | 941 419 | R546 023 020 |
| North West | 862 777 | R500 411 660 |
| Free State | 655 949 | R380 450 420 |
| Northern Cape | 316 566 | R183 608 280 |
| South Africa | 12 308 875 | R7 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
Win R2 000 in the South African SASSA grant survey
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