The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) would like to clarify to primary care givers of Child Support Grant beneficiaries that the grant is only meant for children between the ages of 0 and 18 years, as soon as the child reaches the age of 18 years the grant lapses.

The reason for the need to clarify is the outcry from care givers that their children grants have lapsed because they have attained the age of 18 years but they are still at school,” said Mpumalanga Sassa spokesperson Senzeni Ngubeni.

“The fact that the child is still at school does not qualify them to receive the Child Support Grant as it is only caters for children from the ages between 0-18 years only.”

To qualify, Ngubeni said 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 child must be 18 years of age or younger, must provide a birth certificate for the child and the applicant must provide a 13 digit bar coded identity document.

The primary care giver cannot apply for more than six non biological children, the child must not be cared for in a state institution and also the applicant must meet the requirements of the means test.”

SASSA encourages unemployed South Africans who are in need of government support and in between the ages 18 to 59 years to apply for the Special Covid 19 R350 SRD Grant using the SASSA website or WhatsApp: 082 046 8553 send a WhatsApp message to this number.

“Make sure to include your name, surname and ID number in the WhatsApp message. You will then receive a message which will detail the next steps you need to follow,” Ngubeni concluded.