How to access unemployment benefits
The UIF’s mission
The Unemployment Insurance Fund provides various unemployment benefits to individuals when they become unemployed; cannot work because of maternity, adoption leave, or illness. It also assists the dependants of deceased persons who have contributed to the fund.
Types of benefits
The UIF provides five different types of benefits: unemployment, illness, maternity, adoption, and dependants.
The unemployment benefit pays an income to people who have lost a job through no fault of their own. The illness benefit funds individuals unable to work due to illness. The maternity benefit subsidises pregnant women on maternity leave. The adoption benefit helps those who adopt a child under the age of two and take time off work to care for the child. The dependant benefit gives financial support to a dependant of a spouse or life partner who has died and contributed to the UIF.
Who can make a claim
Any worker who has contributed to the fund can submit a claim provided they were fired or retrenched; their job contract was terminated, or their employer went bankrupt.
Who cannot make a claim
A worker cannot make submit a claim if they have done any of the following:
Received payments from the Compensation Fund;
Collected benefits from any other scheme established by the Labour Relations Act; ý Resigned from their job; ý Failed to comply with the provisions of the UIF Act;
Refused training or advice recommended by the UIF;
Suspended from receiving benefits; or
Claimed benefits fraudulently
How to make a claim
Visit your local labour office and submit your claim for unemployment benefit, or alternatively submit your claim via www.ufiling.co.za. Register to indicate you need to receive unemployment benefits. You must ensure that your employer has submitted the U.19 form to the fund, and sign the continuity form to be able to receive the next payment, if still available. Once you have found work, it is compulsory to inform the UIF. Not doing so is considered as fraud.
Apply within six months of becoming unemployed and register as a work-seeker. Registering as a work-seeker means that suitable new employment may be offered to you. The Department of Labour will contact you if such work becomes available.
To submit a claim you should visit your local labour office in person with the following documents in hand;
Green barcoded ID book, passport, or Smart ID card;
Proof of registration as someone who is seeking work (ie signing the unemployment register at the department of labour’s office);
Certificate of service from the employer;
Copies of your last six payslips;
A form filled in with the relevant banking details (form UI-2.8); and
A completed form with relevant details confirming unemployment status (form UI-19)
Claiming for illness, maternity, adoption, and dependant benefits
As is the case when filing for unemployment benefits, the procedure for submitting a claim for illness, maternity, adoption, or dependant benefits requires you to visit your local labour office in person and to have in hand identification — a green book ID, passport, or Smart ID card so UIF can process the claim.
Each benefit, however, requires different forms and supporting documentation. Visit your labour office or contact the UIF call centre on 0800 843 843 for assistance to ensure you submit the correct paperwork.
The relevant forms for any of the benefits are available directly from the Department of Labour branches or website: www.labour.gov.za.
Where to claim
Claims should be made at your local labour office or via u-Filing on www.ufiling.co.za.
How to check if you are registered and contact the UIF
To verify if your employer has registered you with the fund, contact your labour centre. You can also phone the UIF call centre on (012) 337 1680 or 0800 843 843. When making your enquiry, have your ID number at hand.