HOW DO I CLAIM FROM THE UIF?

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) is an entity of the Department of Employment and Labour, responsible for the processing and payout of short-term financial relief benefits to registered and qualifying workers – or their beneficiaries.

The procedure for claiming unemployment, illness/death, maternity, and adoption benefits differs. We’ll share what you need to ensure the process runs as smoothly as possible.

There are two options when claiming from the UIF.

You can go to your nearest Labour Office or register and claim online via the uFiling portal, depending on the benefit you are claiming from.

UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

Employees who have registered with the UIF and have been contributing towards the fund are eligible to claim unemployment benefits.

This is done on your behalf by your employer:
1% of your salary is paid towards the fund every month when you are employed – and employers contribute a further 1%.

You are eligible to receive unemployment benefits under the following circumstances:

• If you have been terminated from your job
• If you have been retrenched
• If your employment contract has come to an end
• Workers who lose income as a result of reduced working time can also claim for Unemployed benefits
• Foreigners who are permanent workers qualify for UIF
  
  However, if you willingly resign from your job, you are not eligible to claim unemployment benefits.

The Unemployment Insurance Act and the Unemployment Insurance Contributions Act applies to employers and workers, but not to:

• Those working less than 24 hours a month for an employer
• Students
• Public servants
• Foreigners working on contract
• Workers who get a government old-age pension
• Workers who only earn commission

Here’s what you need when applying for UIF:

• South African ID
• Completed UI19 form
• Salary schedule
• Completed UI2-8 (obtainable from www.labour.gov.za)
• UI 2.10 Completed work-seeker form
  (also available on www.labour.gov.za)
• Foreign beneficiaries should bring a valid passport/ID card/Asylum seeker /refugee document
• UI 2.7 (Reduced Working Time application)
• UI 2.11 (Voluntary Severance Package)

Beneficiaries are also urged to check with their employers if they are registered with the UIF – and ensure their declarations are up to date before applying at a labour centre.

Once the claim is approved, beneficiaries must complete and submit the UI-6A form each month for the continuation of benefits.

For more information click the link above or call the toll-free call centre on
080 0030 007

PARENTAL BENEFITS

The fund provides temporary financial support to individuals who experience unemployment – and those who are unable to work due to reasons such as maternity leave, or adoption leave.

The duration and amount of the benefits depend on the individual's contributions and the length of their employment.

These contributions go into a fund that is used to provide benefits to eligible individuals.

MATERNITY/ (SURROGATE MOTHER) BENEFITS

Maternity benefits can be claimed if you are pregnant and take maternity leave. The application should be made prior to the birth of a child or within twelve months of the birth of the child.

You can claim for 17 weeks – if you miscarry in the third trimester or the baby is stillborn, you may claim maternity benefits.

Here’s what you will need when you apply:

• South African ID – Foreign beneficiaries should bring a valid passport/ID card/Asylum seeker /refugee document
• Completed UI19 form/Optional if employer declared the employee fully
• Salary schedule
• Completed UI2-8 (obtainable from www.labour.gov.za)
• UI 2.3 (Medical certificate completed by the medical practitioner)
• UI 2.7 If still employed
  
  Once the claim is approved, beneficiaries will be required to complete and submit the UI-4 form each month for the continuation of benefits.

ADOPTION BENEFITS

If you legally adopt a child who is younger than two years old, you can claim adoption benefits while taking care of the minor.

Only one of the adoptive parents can apply for benefits. The application must be made within 12 months after the date of the order for adoption has been issued by the court.

Here’s what you will need when you apply:

• South African ID – Foreign beneficiaries should bring a valid passport/ID card/Asylum seeker /refugee document
• Completed UI19 form/Optional if employer declared the employee fully
• Salary schedule
• Completed UI2-8 (obtainable from www.labour.gov.za)
• UI 2.4
• UI 2.7 If still employed
• Certified copy of adoption order/ certified copy of placement order
• Full birth certificate of the child
  
  Once the claim is approved, beneficiaries will be required to complete and submit the UI-5 form each month for the continuation of benefits.

PARENTAL BENEFITS

Persons on parental leave may apply for UIF benefits. The rate of payment of paternity leave benefits is determined in terms of the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Act. You are only entitled to these benefits if you have been employed for at least 13 weeks before the date on which you applied for the UIF benefits.

If you are eligible, benefits are paid for a maximum of 10 days and calculated on a flat rate of 66% of a contributable remuneration.

Here’s what you will need when you apply:

• South African ID – Foreign beneficiaries should bring a valid passport/ID card/Asylum seeker /refugee document
• Completed UI19 form/ Optional if employer declared the employee fully
• Salary schedule
• Completed UI2-8 (obtainable from www.labour.gov.za)
• UI 2.9
• UI 2.7 If still employed
• Full birth certificate (Father’s name must appear on this document)
  
  Once the claim is approved, beneficiaries must complete and submit the UI-5 form each month for the continuation of benefits.

ILLNESS & DEATH BENEFITS

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) is a government program that provides temporary financial assistance to people who are unable to work due to illness or injury.

Furthermore, the UIF also offers death benefits to the dependents of a deceased contributor.

This provides financial support to the family or dependents of a deceased individual who previously contributed to the UIF.

ILLNESS BENEFITS

You can claim illness benefits if you are booked off work due to illness for more than 7 days. Benefits are paid from the date you stopped working.

Application for benefits must be made within 6 months from when you stop working due to illness. A medical certificate must be submitted to confirm the period of illness has lasted longer than seven days.

Here’s what you will need when you apply:

• South African ID – Foreign beneficiaries should bring a valid passport/ID card/Asylum seeker /refugee document
• Completed UI19 form/Optional if employer declared the employee fully
• Salary schedule
• Completed UI2-8 (obtainable from www.labour.gov.za)
• UI 2.2 (Medical Certificate completed by the medical practitioner)
• UI 2.7 If still employed
  
  Once the claim is approved, beneficiaries must complete and submit the UI-3 form each month for the continuation of benefits.

DEATH BENEFITS

The wife/ husband or minor child of someone who has died can claim the dependant’s benefits if the deceased paid contributions to the fund.

The surviving spouse/life partner must apply for benefits within 18 months from the date of death of the contributor.

A dependent child can apply for benefits if the surviving spouse (s) life partner has not applied within 18 months of the contributor’s death.

Here’s what you will need when you apply:

• Spouse/ Life partner/guardian/independent child/ Nominated beneficiary
• South African ID – Foreign beneficiaries should bring a valid passport/ID card/Asylum seeker /refugee document
• Completed UI19 form/ Optional if employer declared the employee fully.
• Salary schedule · Completed UI2-8 (obtainable from www.labour.gov.za)
• UI 2.5, UI 2.6
• UI 53 (Not applicable for Spouse)
• Copy of Death certificate
• Marriage certificate from DHA (Civil/Customary)
• Proof of life partnership
• Supplementary documents proving the relations of the child to deceased
• Proof that a child is a learner at an institution prior to the date of death
• Nomination document/form