South Africa has initiated changes in the Child Support Grant offered by the government. From 7 January 2026, the government introduced a new R560 rate, replacing older limits that many families felt no longer reflected rising living costs.
This move directly affects millions of low-income households across the country who rely on monthly assistance to cover basic needs. The update aims to align child welfare support with current economic realities, offering some relief to caregivers facing higher food, transport, and school-related expenses.
The Child Support Grant is R560 a month. The average cost of providing a child with a basic, nutritious diet was R937. This leaves families nearly R380 short for every child, every month. The data shows the grant is 28% below South Africa’s food poverty line and 40%.
The child support grant was introduced in 1998.
The number of children living below the food poverty line has decreased, from 53% of all children in 2003 to 33% in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic pushed an additional 1.2 million children into food poverty. As of 2024, 7.8 million children live below the food poverty line.
According to the Child Gauge Report by the Children’s Institute at the University of Cape Town, South Africa’s Child Support Grant (CSG) still sits below the food poverty line, leaving millions at risk of hunger and malnutrition, the report says.
Dr Katherine Hall said the slow take-up of the CSG among young children remains a concern.
The report said that children who suffer from hunger are at risk of stunting, being overweight, and micronutrient deficiencies. The 2021-2023 National Food and Nutrition Security Survey found that 29% of children under 5 years old in the country were stunted. “Children living in households that do not report hunger may still not have access to sufficient nutritious food and be at risk of malnutrition,” the report said.
