SASSA Care Dependency Affidavit Guide
Last updated: 14 April 2026
The Care Dependency Grant (CDG) is a monthly social grant paid by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) to parents or caregivers of children under 18 who have a severe disability and require permanent home care. The grant pays R2 400 per month per child (from April 2026). Applicants must pass a means test (income under R23 100/month single or R46 200/month married). The child must be assessed by a SASSA-appointed medical officer. The affidavit — officially Annexure I-5 — is a sworn declaration that confirms your identity, relationship to the child, marital status, and income. It must be signed before a Commissioner of Oaths and submitted with your CDG application.
What documents do I need?
Gather these before you start. Missing or incomplete documents are one of the most common reasons applications are delayed or rejected.
- South African ID document (valid green ID book, Smart ID card, or temporary ID certificate for the applicant)
- Child's birth certificate (unabridged birth certificate issued by the Department of Home Affairs)
- Medical / assessment report confirming the child's disability (completed by a SASSA-appointed medical officer or panel doctor)
- Proof of residential address (utility bill, municipal account, affidavit confirming address, or tribal authority letter)
- Banking details (bank statement or bank-stamped letter confirming account number, not older than 3 months)
- Proof of income or unemployment (latest payslip, UIF letter, or sworn affidavit declaring no income)
- Marriage certificate (if married — required to assess combined household income)
Step 1: Gather your documents
Before completing the affidavit, collect your South African ID, the child's birth certificate, proof of address, banking details, and proof of income or a declaration of unemployment. You will also need any medical reports or referral letters about the child's condition. If married, bring your marriage certificate.
Step 2: Fill in your personal details
Enter your full name, surname, South African ID number, residential address, and contact information. These must match your ID document exactly — any discrepancy will delay your application.
Step 3: Fill in the child's details
Provide the child's full name, surname, date of birth, and ID number. The child must be under 18 years old and must have a severe disability requiring permanent home care.
Step 4: Declare your marital status
Indicate whether you are single, married, divorced, or widowed. If married, provide your spouse's full name and ID number. Marital status determines which income threshold applies for the means test.
Step 5: Declare your income
State your monthly income (or declare that you have no income). Your income must be below R23 100 per month (single) or R46 200 per month (married) to qualify. If married, include your spouse's income as well. Be truthful — SASSA may verify your income through SARS and the UIF database. Providing false information is a criminal offence.
Step 6: Sign before a Commissioner of Oaths
Take the completed affidavit to a Commissioner of Oaths at a South African Police Service station, magistrate's court, or SASSA office. You must sign the affidavit in the commissioner's presence. The commissioner will stamp and sign the document to certify it as a sworn statement.
Step 7: Submit to SASSA and attend medical assessment
Take the signed and commissioned affidavit, together with all supporting documents, to your nearest SASSA office. SASSA will arrange a medical assessment for the child by an appointed medical officer or panel doctor. Keep all receipts — you will need them to follow up on your application status.
What are common mistakes to avoid?
- Not signing the affidavit before a Commissioner of Oaths — an unsworn affidavit is invalid and SASSA will reject the application
- Providing incorrect or mismatched ID numbers — the applicant's ID number and child's birth certificate number must match the original documents exactly
- Failing to attend the SASSA medical assessment — the child must be assessed by a SASSA-appointed doctor; private medical reports alone are not sufficient
- Submitting an expired proof of address — utility bills or bank statements must be recent (within the last 3 months)
- Applying without a birth certificate for the child — the child must have a registered birth certificate before a CDG application can be processed
- Not bringing the original documents to the SASSA office — certified copies are required for submission, but SASSA officials need to verify against originals
What tips will help my application succeed?
- Apply as soon as the child is diagnosed with a severe disability — the CDG is only backdated to the date of application, not the date of diagnosis
- If you do not have a bank account, SASSA can pay via a SASSA gold card collected at a pay point — but a bank account is faster and safer
- You can check your application status by calling the SASSA toll-free number 0800 60 10 11 or visiting your local SASSA office with your receipt
- The medical assessment is free — SASSA arranges and pays for it. Do not pay anyone who claims to conduct a CDG assessment privately
- The CDG is reviewed periodically — SASSA may require a follow-up medical assessment to confirm the child still qualifies
- Visit your SASSA office early in the morning to avoid long queues, and bring a pen — offices sometimes run out of stationery