If you care for an orphaned grandchild, take the documents you have when asking SASSA about the child’s current grant. The next page gives a proof checklist to help relatives prepare.
You stay on this website. No payment required.
The most useful first step is to prepare the proof that shows the child is orphaned. The government notice says the Top-Up is an additional amount to the basic Child Support Grant and that the normal CSG eligibility criteria still apply. It also explains the extra proof required for this route, so you can go to SASSA with a clearer idea of what to ask about and what documents may be needed.
On this page
Who can use this starting point?
The official notice specifically refers to relatives caring for an orphaned child, naming grandparents, siblings, uncles, aunts and cousins. This can be reassuring when you are doing day-to-day care for a grandchild and are unsure whether you should wait for a different process. It does not remove the need to meet the Child Support Grant criteria; instead, it points related caregivers towards the Top-Up route at SASSA.
Start with proof of orphanhood
The government’s guidance says the only additional proof for the Top-Up is proof that the child is an orphan. It says caregivers can submit the parents’ death certificates. Where a caregiver has only one death certificate because the other parent is unknown or their status is unknown, the notice says an affidavit can be completed at a SASSA office to explain the situation. Take the documents you have, and ask the office how they apply to your case.
Why a focused checklist helps
A short checklist can help you separate the ordinary CSG requirements from the added evidence about orphanhood. It can also help you explain your situation consistently if you are a relative caregiver rather than a parent. The next guide sets out the official route in order: what to gather, when an affidavit may be relevant, and what to ask when you reach SASSA. It is an information guide, not a decision on eligibility.
Frequently asked questions
Can a grandparent ask about the CSG Top-Up?
Yes. The government notice names a grandparent among relatives caring for an orphaned child who can apply through a SASSA office, subject to the applicable CSG requirements.
Is the Top-Up described as a separate grant?
No. The official notice describes it as an additional amount to the basic Child Support Grant, with the same CSG eligibility criteria applying.
What extra proof is mentioned for this route?
The notice says the additional proof is proof that the child is an orphan. It refers to the parents’ death certificates and describes an affidavit option in a specified situation.
