The Quarterly Labor Force Survey depicts that the official unemployment rate of South Africa stands at 34.5% in the first quarter of 2022, while among people of 25 to 34 years age group, it’s 42.1%. However, bearing this percentage of unemployed individuals, the government runs a financial support system for those who previously participated in the national labor force. Thus, the government of South Africa showed earnest consideration for the financial stability of the federal workforce.
Workers from the country receive this monetary support from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF). This organization is known to provide short-term financial relief funds for people who aren’t currently working, including those incapable of working. The South African government adopted this initiative as a Social Security measure to endow fiscal support to jobless workers from a fund generated by saving small amounts from their previous income.
This article presents an insight into the Unemployment Insurance Fund by describing how you can check UIF claim status online.
Facts Regarding the UIF Scheme of South Africa
The South African government has announced this scheme for workers who have suffered terminations despite not having any fault. This fund is not for workers who have been terminated due to misconduct, insufficiency, or negligence. Furthermore, workers who have left their occupations alone aren’t eligible for this fund either.
This scheme is designed to be a lifeline for those who have taken direct hits due to the unprecedented time of business closings, decrease in salaries, and company reconstructions. Upon the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration considering your resignation as a valid release, you can claim this fund.
Indeed, you would have to be cognizant and check UIF status. However, you should know that one should register in this scheme as a job seeker and when he has lost his current position. You can get this benefit only when you have saved money for this scheme during your working days. Furthermore, your registration will only be valid when you have applied for these benefits right after becoming unemployed or at least within 6 months of it.
Two following legislations govern the unemployment insurance system of South Africa. These two acts grant all the facilities UIF funds enable workers to obtain.
- Unemployment Insurance Act, 2001 (UI)
- Unemployment Insurance Contributions Act, 2002 (UIC)
Who Cannot Contribute to the UIF Fund?
Per the norms, all employees and employers can contribute to the Unemployment Insurance Fund. Therefore, employers must follow these steps to enrol in the UIF fund. However, it won’t be valid under the below-mentioned situations.
- Someone’s employment tenure was less than 24 hours in a month.
- Individuals who worked for the government at national or provincial levels
- Individuals who occupied designated Minister, Deputy Minister, President, Deputy President, National Council of Provinces’ Permanent Delegate, National Assembly’s Member, etc.
- Individuals associated with traditional leading, municipal council, Council of Traditional Leaders, Provincial House of Traditional Leaders, etc.
How Much Should You Contribute to UIF Fund?
A legitimate UIF contributor should pay 2% of his monthly salary to the UIF fund. 1% should come from your end, whereas your employer must pay the other 1% within it. This amount should be deducted from your monthly salary, having an explicit mention in your pay slip. Remember, receiving a written contract and pay slip is your right as an employee in South Africa.
Upon being unsure about whether you and your employer are supposed to contribute to the UIF fund or not, contact your nearest Labor Centre to obtain further information from an official of the Department of Labor.
Steps to Check Your UIF Claim Status Through the Internet
First Method:
- Open the www.ufiling.co.za using your computer or mobile phone.
- Select the ‘Check My Status’ option.
- Continue further, adhering to the instructions visible before you.
- Write the Captcha present on the screen without making any errors.
- Afterwards, write the UIF reference number in the relevant box.
Second Method:
This method will prompt you to write an email to online.BCP@labour.gov.za. Don’t forget to mention your name, UIF registration number, and identification proof.
The Third and Offline Method:
The third method doesn’t require a UIF status check online but is conventional. First, you need to visit your local labor office and enter yourself in the register for this offline method. Then, you have to provide your UIF registration number and identity proof.
Afterwards, you can know your claim activation status. If yes, the office will inform you about the time to receive your initial reimbursement. But, if your claim is still being processed, the person in charge will let you know the possible time.
When Should You Make the Payments?
As you are endeavoring to check UIF claim status online, you might already know that one should contribute to this fund within 7 days after every month’s end. If the last day of payment is on a public holiday or weekend, you should pay your share on the previous working day before that holiday.
You can use multiple online payment methods written in the following section for paying.
- eFiling
- Electronic payment through the Internet (EFT)
- Through any branch of any accepted banking organization
Concluding Lines
The Unemployment Insurance Fund has been an effective measure to save the country’s workers from financial uncertainties in unforeseen times. Furthermore, it has been serving numerous people since its announcement. However, even after 8 weeks of registration, if you still haven’t received your first payment, you can contact the Labor Center and enquire about the cause of this delay. It’s better to keep your ID number near you before making the call. It will save you from unnecessary time-wasting.
Along with each payment, the UIF fund will send a slip to you, enabling you to recognize the appearance of your payment and visit your bank. It is suggested that those slips be kept as records. Through them, you can track how much money you have already obtained and how much money is yet to come.
