Reaching out to children: an analysis of the first six months of the extension of the Child Support Grant

Abstract

The Child Support Grant is the South African government’s primary poverty alleviation mechanism targeted at children. From April 2003 eligibility for the grant was extended to children above the age of six who live in poverty. The South African Department of Social Development plans a phased-in extension to the age of 14. If they meet the means test and other criteria, children up to the age of nine are eligible to receive the Child Support Grant in 2003/4 as the first phase of the extension. This paper examines the first six months of the extension of the Child Support Grant from April to September 2003. An analysis was done by using administrative data from the department of Social Development, as well as a range of other supporting research. The author found that the extension is proceeding according to the department’s targets at a national level. Despite this, more than half of children living in poverty in this age category have yet to access the grant, and there are a number of administrative problems which, if resolved, would greatly improve access. In addition, the nine provinces are performing at very different levels in implementing the extension. The paper ends with a range of recommendations to the Department to ensure administrative justice for children and the realisation of children’s right to social security.