SASSA Foster Child Grant Affidavit Guide
Last updated: 14 April 2026
The Foster Child Grant (FCG) is a monthly social grant paid by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) to foster parents who have a valid Children's Court order placing a child in their care. The grant amount is R1 290 per month from April 2026. The affidavit — officially Annexure I-6 — is a sworn declaration that confirms your identity, the foster child's details, and the court order authorising the placement. It must be signed before a Commissioner of Oaths and submitted with your FCG application at a SASSA office.
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 of the foster parent (valid green ID book, Smart ID card, or temporary ID certificate)
- Valid Children's Court order placing the child in your foster care (this is the single most important document — without it, no application can proceed)
- Foster 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 — not older than 3 months)
- Banking details (bank statement or bank-stamped letter confirming account number, not older than 3 months)
- School attendance letter (if the child is of school-going age — letter from the school confirming enrolment)
- Social worker's report (your designated social worker may need to confirm the foster placement is still active)
Step 1: Gather your documents
Before completing the affidavit, collect your South African ID, the Children's Court order, the foster child's birth certificate, proof of address, and banking details. The court order is essential — SASSA cannot process a Foster Child Grant application without it. If the child is of school-going age, also obtain a school attendance letter.
Step 2: Fill in your personal details
Enter your full name, surname, and South African ID number as they appear on your ID document. Any discrepancy between the affidavit and your ID will delay the application. Provide your residential address and postal code.
Step 3: Fill in the foster child's details
Provide the foster child's full names, surname, and date of birth as they appear on the birth certificate. Enter the Children's Court order reference number. If you are a foster parent to multiple children, each child requires a separate application and affidavit.
Step 4: Declare the court order details
Provide the court order number, the date it was issued, and the court that issued it. The court order must name you as the foster parent. If the court order has expired or is about to expire, contact your social worker to arrange an extension before applying.
Step 5: 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 6: 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, verify your identity, and issue a receipt. Keep this receipt — you will need it to follow up on your application status by calling the SASSA toll-free number 0800 60 10 11.
What are common mistakes to avoid?
- Not having a valid Children's Court order — this is the most common reason Foster Child Grant applications are rejected; the order must be current and must name you as the foster parent
- 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 foster parent's ID number and the child's birth certificate number must be entered exactly as they appear on the original documents
- Submitting an expired court order — Children's Court orders must be renewed every two years; check the expiry date and arrange renewal through your social worker before applying
- Applying for the Foster Child Grant and the Child Support Grant for the same child — you cannot receive both grants for the same child simultaneously
- Submitting expired proof of address or banking details — these documents must be recent (within the last 3 months)
What tips will help my application succeed?
- The Foster Child Grant is R1 290 per month from April 2026 — significantly higher than the Child Support Grant (R580) because foster care involves full parental responsibility
- Contact your designated social worker before applying — they can help ensure your court order is current and provide any reports SASSA may request
- If your court order is about to expire, start the renewal process at least 3 months in advance through the Children's Court — a lapsed order means your grant will be suspended
- 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 you do not have a bank account, SASSA can pay via a SASSA gold card at a designated pay point — but a bank account is faster and safer
- Visit your SASSA office early in the morning to avoid long queues, and bring a pen — offices sometimes run out of stationery