Government-funded programmes and services for vulnerable - Unicef

Department of Social Development
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Foster care
grant ix
A cash transfer of R710
per month per child (as
at 1 April 2010) up to
the age of 18 or until the
child leaves school
This amount will in all
likelihood increase in
2011 as the grant amounts
are generally increased
at the start of each new
financial year to take into
account inflation.
It is paid to a courtappointed
foster parent
for as long as the foster
child is in the custody
and care of the foster
parent.
The FCG can be extended
or continued after the
foster child turns 18 or
leaves school, on the
recommendation of a
social worker, to enable
the child to complete
his or her secondary
schooling or training or
special education.
Targeted beneficiaries
Foster parents appointed
by a children’s court in
terms of the Children’s
Amendment Act, 2007
Qualifying criteria x
A foster parent may
not get a FCG for more
than six foster children
if the children are not
his or her siblings or
blood relatives.
All foster parents
qualify, regardless
of whether they are
South African citizens,
permanent residents or
refugees.
There is no means test
for the FCG.
Documents that must
be provided when
applying for the FCG
include the 13-digit
bar-coded identity
document of the foster
parent, if South African,
an identity document
issued to a refugee
in terms of s30 of the
Refugees Act, 1998,
and a 13-digit barcoded
birth certificate
for the foster child.
If these documents
are not available,
application may be
made using alternative
documents, including
a sworn statement or
an affidavit in a format
prescribed by SASSA. xi
SASSA
Application is, however,
often made with the
assistance of a social
worker – both those in
the employ of the state
and NGOs.
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