Child support is an amount of money paid by a parent to another to contribute to the expenses related to nurturing and upbringing the child. In South Africa, the government provides a social security grant specifically to support those parents who are unable to cater for their children's basic needs. The grant is popularly known as the child support grant, and it is paid to the primary caregiver of the child. It is essential to know how much the child support grant is currently as it can help to plan for the child's future financial needs.
How much is the child support grant now?
The South African government has increased the child support grant amount as of April 2021. The payment for the child support grant now stands at R460 per child per month, an increase of R10 from the previously set amount of R450 per child per month. The increase may seem minimal, but it makes all the difference for children living in poverty.
The good news is that the child support grant increases every year above inflation. This increment aims to improve the lives of children living in poverty and support the primary caregivers that are financially unstable. The increase is also in line with the government's vision of uplifting the standard of living and eradicating poverty in South Africa.
The eligibility criteria for child support grant
The child support grant is a means-tested social security benefit aimed at helping families with limited resources. To qualify for the child support grant, the primary caregiver must:
- Be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee
- Have a child or children under the age of 18 in their care
- Not earn more than R48,000 per year
- Not receiving an unemployment insurance benefit, a social grant, or a stipend for apprenticeship training
Conclusion
The child support grant plays an important role in supporting vulnerable families and ensuring that children have access to basic needs like food, clothing, and shelter. The recently increased amount of R460 per child per month is a step forward in addressing child poverty in South Africa. While it may not be enough to cater for all the financial needs of the child, it is better than nothing. It is essential to remember that child poverty is not just a financial issue, but a social problem that requires a collective effort to address.
