How to Change My Child Grant To Someone Else

By Tevait Feanle •  Updated: 01/10/25 •  6 min read

We know that every parent wants the best for the children in their care. Sometimes, this may include circumstances like sending them to live with a trusted relative or caregiver who is not in your household. In circumstances like these, you can (and should) arrange to have the grant paid directly to the person who will be caring for the child rather than to yourself. Here’s everything you need to know about making this change, as well as other alterations to the SASSA child grants

- ADVERTISEMENT -
you are already receiving.

How Do I Change My Child Grant To Someone Else?

If you need to change your SASSA Child Grant to someone else, it is imperative you start the process as early as possible. SASSA must be kept in the loop as to the child’s changed circumstances, or their eligibility for the grant may lapse, and you won’t receive payment at all. While it can be done, the circumstances are reasonably complex.

The quickest way to make the change is for you and the new recipient to go together to a SASSA Office, as not only will you need to ‘deregister’ yourself for the grant, but the new party will need to apply for the Child Grant the same way you once did. If you both attend, this can be done simultaneously and with the help of a SASSA officer to assist you.

The new recipient will need:

It is also important to remember that the child may no longer be eligible for the SASSA Child Grant if their living circumstances will improve beyond the thresholds set by SASSA. This so-called means test is currently set at a maximum household income of R57 600 a year (or R4800 per month) for a single caregiver. If they are married, this will be a maximum household income of R115 200 each year (or R96000 per month). This is for the 2025 year and may change in the future. If the new caregiver earns above the means test, they will not be eligible to apply for the grant at all. You should also be aware that SASSA caps the eligibility for the child grant at 6 non-biological/adopted children for a caregiver.

You will need to cancel the child grant for yourself and allow the new caregiver to make a new application as we’ve outlined above. These can both be done online, too, at the SASSA website. This may cause delays, however, as you first need to cancel the grant and have it updated on the system before they can apply. Otherwise, the system will show that the child is already receiving a grant, and the new caregiver will be blocked from applying or have the application rejected.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

How Do I Cancel Child Grant?

To cancel a child grant, you can either login to your account on the SASSA website or visit your nearest SASSA office. In this particular case, it may be quicker to do so at the office, as the new caregiver can apply simultaneously to avoid disruption to the grant payments.

You will need to bring the child grant beneficiary’s ID card or birth certificate, your own South African ID, and proof of your relationship to the child (if you are not the child’s parent). You will need to fill out a SASSA Child Support Grant cancellation form, which they will have available.

After submitting the cancellation form, you will need to wait for SASSA to confirm that the child grant has been canceled. This may take some time, so it is important to follow up with SASSA if you have not received confirmation within a reasonable period.

Again, we must state that canceling a child grant may have financial implications, including missed payment months, so you should consider your decision carefully and seek advice from a qualified professional like a SASSA officer or social worker if necessary.

What Age Does Child Grant Stop?

The SASSA Child Grant will stop when the child turns 18 unless there are other circumstances such as disability. A child with special needs will be covered up to 21 years of age. After this threshold, they will need to apply as an adult for other SASSA services if still required.

How Do I Change My SASSA Child Support Grant To My Bank Account?

If you have changed your banking details, you can alter the account which the money is paid into by either requesting a details change form at your nearest SASSA office, phoning their hotline, or logging in to your SASSA account on their website and updating the details. They will need to verify this change, and then the payment will be made to the new account.

If you are regaining custody of a child receiving a grant, however, the old caregiver will need to cancel their grant application, and you will need to make a new one for the child. We outlined these steps above.

How Much Is The First Payment For A Child Support Grant?

The basic SASSA Child Grant is currently R500, rising to R510 as of 1st October 2025. Some children will also qualify for the additional R250 top-up grant or additional amounts to support a disability or exceptional circumstances. You will receive this from the first payment. Payments may, however, be backdated to the application date, making the first payment seem larger.

What Happens When You Cancel Child Benefit?

When you cancel the SASSA child benefit, you simply stop receiving the money and the grant is removed from their system. If they have a new caregiver, this means the caregiver can reapply to cover them. If they have aged out of the child benefit, they can apply themselves for other SASSA grants if needed.

Changing the circumstances of a SASSA child grant can be intimidating, but it is a reasonably simple process. Hopefully, you now feel empowered to help your child to the best life possible.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Keep Reading

SASSA Payment Dates

SASSA Payment Dates

Don't let the hustle and bustle of the new year throw you off—keep an eye on this article and stay on top of your SASSA grant payments as we move into 2025.

How To Apply For Sassa Old Age Pension Grant

How To Apply For Sassa Old Age Pension Grant

In this blog post, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to apply for Sassa Old Age Pension Grant benefit and who is eligible to receive it.

Why Does My SASSA Application Say Declined?

Why Does My SASSA Application Say Declined?

Understanding the criteria or requirements of SASSA can reduce the tendency of getting your application declined

How to Apply for a SASSA Easy Pay Loan

How to Apply for a SASSA Easy Pay Loan

Who Qualifies for SASSA Child Support Top-Up?

Who Qualifies for SASSA Child Support Top-Up?

This article will discuss the eligibility criteria for the SASSA Child Support Top-Up, the grant amount, and its purpose in more detail.

How To Set Up A Payment Arrangement With SARS

How To Set Up A Payment Arrangement With SARS

Today we’re looking at what that means and how to do it so that you can get back to full compliance as easily as possible. 

How to Apply for SASSA R350 Grant Online

How to Apply for SASSA R350 Grant Online

How Much Is SASSA Grant For Foster Care?

How Much Is SASSA Grant For Foster Care?

How To Apply for SRD Grant as A Refugee or Asylum Seeker

How To Apply for SRD Grant as A Refugee or Asylum Seeker

Here’s everything you should know about applying for the SRD Grant as an asylum seeker or refugee in South Africa.

How to Get R350 Grant From Post Office

How to Get R350 Grant From Post Office

In this article, we are going to provide the new findings about your grant at the post office and other related payment issues.

What Does ‘SASSA Age Outside Range’ Mean?

What Does ‘SASSA Age Outside Range’ Mean?

This article will delve into the meaning of ‘SASSA Age Outside Range,’ discuss the SASSA old age means test

SASSA Contact Details, Offices in All Locations

SASSA Contact Details, Offices in All Locations

This article provides SASSA contact details, Offices in all locations around the country. 

SASSA R350 Grant: What Each Application Status Means

SASSA R350 Grant: What Each Application Status Means

The application status represents the feedback that SASSA is trying to communicate to the applicant

How To Track SASSA R350 Grant Application

How To Track SASSA R350 Grant Application

We will look at how one can track SASSA R350 grant applications online, on WhatsApp, and other relevant information surrounding SASSA grant tracking.

SRD Status Check: How to Check SRD Grant Status

SRD Status Check: How to Check SRD Grant Status

SRD Status Check: Check the status of your SRD grant application easily with our step-by-step guide and information to track your application.