SASSA Child Support Grant Affidavit Guide
Last updated: 14 April 2026
The Child Support Grant (CSG) is a monthly social grant paid by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) to the primary caregiver of a child under 18. To qualify, a single caregiver must earn below R5 600 per month (or R11 200 combined if married). The affidavit — officially Annexure I-4 — 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 (at a police station, magistrate court, or SASSA office) and submitted with your CSG 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)
- Proof of residential address (utility bill, municipal account, affidavit confirming address, or tribal authority letter)
- School attendance letter (if the child is older than 7 years — letter from the school confirming enrolment)
- 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 against the R11 200 threshold)
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. If the child is older than 7, you also need a school attendance letter. 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 telephone number. 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 birth certificate number. If you are applying for more than one child, each child requires a separate affidavit and application.
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 — R5 600 for single applicants or R11 200 for married couples.
Step 5: Declare your income
State your monthly income (or declare that you have no income). 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
Take the signed and commissioned affidavit, together with all supporting documents, to your nearest SASSA office. A SASSA official will capture your application, take your fingerprints, and issue a receipt. Keep this receipt — you will need it 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 be entered exactly as they appear on the original documents
- Failing to declare all sources of income — SASSA cross-checks income against SARS and UIF records, and undeclared income can lead to grant cancellation and criminal charges
- 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 CSG application can be processed
- Not bringing the original documents to the SASSA office — certified copies are required for submission, but SASSA officials also need to verify against originals
What tips will help my application succeed?
- Apply as soon as possible after the child is born — the CSG is only backdated to the date of application, not the date of birth
- 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
- If your income changes after approval, you must report it to SASSA — failure to do so may result in overpayment recovery or grant suspension
- Grandparents, aunts, uncles, or any adult who is the primary caregiver of a child can apply — you do not have to be the biological parent
- Visit your SASSA office early in the morning to avoid long queues, and bring a pen — offices sometimes run out of stationery