The purpose of this research is to study the Child Support Grant, using qualitative methods, as the first stage of a multi-stage CSG impact evaluation for the M&E Chief Directorate of the Department of Social Development, Government of South Africa. The research will inform and optimise the design of the quantitative baseline survey of this impact evaluation, and produce additional information and interpretations that are best derived from qualitative approaches. The use of qualitative methods as part of the current Child Support Grant Impact Evaluation recognises that integrating qualitative with quantitative methods (‘Q-squared’ approaches) generate data on impacts that are rigorous but also amenable to nuanced interpretation.