DEFINITION OF THE GRANT
Care Dependency Grant is a grant payable to the Parents, Foster Parents,
guardians or custodians in respect of a child between the ages of 1 and 18
years in their care, who due to severe mental and/or physical disability , need
full time care. FOCUS GROUP
Children with Disabilities
SERVICE
Community Based Services: Services to Children with Disabilities
DEFINITION OF SERVICE
A care-dependency grant is payable to parent/s or foster parent/s of a child
who is between 1 and 18 years old who requires and receives permanent home care
due to his or her severe mental and/or physical disability.
LEGISLATION THAT GOVERNS THE SERVICE AND GRANT
Social Assistance Act 59 of 1992.
AIMS OF THE SERVICE AND GRANT
The aims of this service include;
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To prevent mental ill-health.
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To promote quality of life and the dignity of the disabled.
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To combat undesirable social conditions amongst the Disabled or their
exploitations.
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To promote disabled person’s independent functioning in the community for as
long as possible.
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To encourage employers to employ disabled persons in the open labor market.
The services are rendered through 105 departmental service points and 90 other
service points that are managed by Non Governmental Organizations(NGOs) and
Community Based Organizations (CBOs)
The service include;
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Information and education
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Development of social skills.
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Orientation/Adjustment to disability.
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Counseling
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Placement in employment.
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Material assistance.
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Initiation and implementation of appropriate community projects such as clubs
and self-help groups.
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Initiation and maintenance of committees and Organizations.
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Recruitment, selection and training of volunteers who will be used to implement
the programme.
CRITERIA FOR APPLICATION FOR THE GRANT.
Parent/s or foster parent/s shall qualify to receive the above grant;
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If he/she/they are the parent/s or foster parent/s of the child.
There is no restriction to the number of care-dependent children per
application.
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The child or foster child is disabled to the extent that he/she needs constant
care of the parent/s or foster parent/s.
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The child is between 1 and 18 years old – Once the child reaches the age of 18,
payment of the grant will be cancelled.
The child can then apply for a disability grant in his or her own right.
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If the applicant qualifies the means test.
The means test include the following;
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Income assessment: (The income assessment is not not applicable to foster
parent/s) The combined annual income of the family i.e. both parents after all
permissible deductions referred to in regulation 15 i.e. Tax, Medical Aid, UIF,
Pension, shall not exceed R 48,000. If income exceeds R 48,000 no grant will be
payable, unlike an OA, DG, or WV grant whose means test differs by allowing for
a sliding scale payment of a grant.
An applicant either qualifies for the maximum amount or not at all.
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Nationality and resident status: The parent/s are a South African Citizen/s and
the parent/s or foster parent/s are resident in South Africa i.e. the foster
parent/s does not have to be a South African Citizen but must be resident in
South Africa.
Extent of disability: The child must be in the full time care of the parent/s or
foster parent/s. At the age of 6 the child shall be evaluated as to his/her
educability and trainability for attendance at a school for Specialized
Education or if such a facility is not available by an assignee of an education
authority i.e. the child must be assessed to see if the child can be taught
basic life skills.
Foster parent/s of a care-dependent child are eligible for both a foster and a
care-dependent grant i.e. can receive both grants for the same child. A person
who is in receipt of a social grant is also eligible receive a care-dependency
grant i.e. if a person is in receipt of Old Age or Disability or War Veterans
grant can also qualify for a care dependency grant if such a child qualifies.
A person cannot have both a child support grant and a care-dependent grant for
the same child. A parent or foster parent shall not be considered for a care
dependency grant when the care dependent child is admitted to and cared for
permanency in a psychiatric hospital or a care and treatment centre.
WHO MANAGES THE GRANT?
The Social Workers and Social Security officers in the employ of the Department
manage the grant.
WHERE DOES ONE APPLY FOR THE GRANT?
At any of the 34 Service Offices and NGO's
STEPS/PROCEDURES TO APPLY FOR THE GRANT
Will follow soon, please approach one of our offices for assistance in the
interim.
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