How to claim UIF benefits, how long UIF takes to pay out and UIF rejection

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) is intended to give partial short-term relief to individuals when they lose their job due to adoption, maternity, and parental leave, as well as illness. UIF funds are available to persons who have contributed to UIF while they have been employed.

If you find yourself unemployed, claiming UIF will be able to cover a portion of your monthly expenses, until you are able to get back on your feet.

This article will explain how you can go about claming UIF benefits.
 

How to Apply for uFiling?

Register here by reading and agreeing to the Register here.

After registering, you may Login here

To activate your Employee account you need to have the following documents and information available:

• Your valid 13 Digit South African ID number
• Your e-mail address (where all correspondence will be emailed)
• Cell phone number (mandatory)

As an online registered Employee you will be able to securely submit your Application for Benefits (for Unemployment, Reduced Time Benefits, Maternity, Illness and Adoption), to submit Continuation of Benefits and Notice of Appeal.
 

You may want to read

• Who can claim UIF and how much can they claim?
• How are UIF claims calculated and paid?

How to claim benefits from the UIF?

You can apply in-person or online

In-person application:

Step 1: attend an employment office of the Department of Labour and complete the correct claim form. The following documents must be taken along, depending on the type of benefit claimed: identity document, proof of income, banking details, certificate of service, medical certificates, adoption order, birth certificate/s, marriage certificate, and/or death certificate (do not leave the original documents with the Unemployment Insurance Fund, only copies).

Step 2: submit the completed claim form within the prescribed time period, being:
within 12 months of becoming unemployed, however, the period of unemployment must be for longer than 14 days;
within six months of becoming ill, however, the period of illness must be for longer than seven days;
within 12 months of giving birth to a child, the claim may be submitted at any time before or after such birth. However, an employee must have been employed for at least 13 weeks, before s/he can claim maternity benefits;
within 12 months of a court order for adoption being granted, however, only one parent of the adopted child may be granted adoption benefits and only if the child is under the age of two years;
within 18 months of the employee dying.

Step 3: submit any further information that the claims officer may need to investigate the claim.

Step 4: follow up on the investigation of the claim and whether or not the claim was approved. If approved, the claims officer will inform an employee of the benefit s/he is entitled to, what amount will be paid and/or whether there are any other conditions to payment of the benefit, such as reporting to an employment office every now and again. The claims officer will also inform the employee whether his/her claim was defective and the reasons for it being so.

Step 5: collect payment of the benefit at the employment office where the claim was submitted or the employment office indicated on the claim form.
 

Online application:

Visit the uFiling website – this is a FREE online service that allows you to securely submit your UIF declarations and pay your monthly contributions. It harnesses the power of the Internet allowing Domestics, Commercial Employers and Practitioners to complete and submit monthly UIF declarations and to securely pay UIF contributions.
 

Why is my UIF claim taking so long?

Call the Labour Centre where the claim was submitted or UIF Call centre on 0800 843 843 or and make sure you have your ID number ready.
 

Will I stop receiving my UIF if I get a new job?

As soon as your new employer fills in a UI-19 form and you are registered on the system you will stop receiving UIF benefits.
 

What can I do if my UIF application was rejected?

You can appeal a decision of the Commissioner or a Claims Officer by sending the UI-12 form to your nearest Labour Centre. The form must be accompanied with any documents/proof that reinforces your reason to appeal.
 

Read more about the different types of SASSA grants here:

SRD R350 Grant Care Dependency Grant Child Support Grant Foster Child Grant Disability Grant Older Persons Grant Grant-In-Aid War Veterans Grant

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CONTACT SASSA

For any further queries, please contact SASSA directly:
Contact the SASSA Toll Free Call centre on: 0800 60 10 11
Contact the SASSA Head Office on: 012 400 2322
Email SASSA Head Office at: Grantsenquiries@sassa.gov.za
Contact details of SASSA offices across the country: SASSA offices