The unemployment insurance fund (UIF) provides short-term financial assistance to employees who have been contributing to the fund when they lose employment. You can also apply for benefits if you cannot work due to illness, adoption, or maternity leave. When the contributing worker dies, the dependents can apply for benefits. If you are eligible to get UIF payment, there are certain steps you should take to file a claim. This article explains everything you want to know about how you can submit a payment request for UIF.
How Do I Submit a Payment Request for UIF?
You can submit a payment request for UIF online or manually by visiting your nearest Labour Center. If you want to request payment through the uFiling online platform, you must be registered and have an active account. You need to submit your payment request within 15 days of getting notification of approval of your claim. You should take the following steps to submit your UIF payment request.
- Visit https://ufiling.labour.gov.za/uif and enter your username and password to log in to your account.
- Tap on the “Benefit Application and Payments” button
- Click on “Continuation of Benefits”
- Choose the type of benefit you want and click “Next”.
- Provide your details and verify your banking details in the next two windows that appear on your screen.
- Confirm your labour centre and location.
- Confirm your employment status and submit your work seeker information
- Click submit
Once you perform these steps, your payment request will be processed.
Another option is to visit your nearest Labour Office to submit your request for UIF payment. You will be asked to sign the unemployment register, and the UIF official will tell you when to return and sign the register again. You must sign the register every four weeks to prove that you are unemployed and need the UIF benefits. Upon signing the register for the first time, you will get a white card that is signed by a UIF official every time you go back to sign the register.
Before you receive UIF benefits, you must be prepared to undergo career counselling. You also need to be available for work if the opportunity arises. It is vital to visit different companies looking for work and get a form signed to show that you can’t get employment.
You must have the following documents to claim unemployment benefits
- Valid bar-coded South African ID with 13 digits
- UI-19 form consisting of the information provided by your former employer
- Copies of last sic payslips
- Proof that you are registered as a work seeker
- Service certificate from your employer
- Completed registration form
If all your documents are in order, you should expect to start getting money from the fund within eight weeks of registration. You will get paid every four weeks until you exhaust your benefits. You can collect your money from the labour office where you applied, and you must do it yourself. Ensure you have your ID book and white card every time you collect your money. Every time you get your UIF payment, you will receive a slip showing the amount you have received and your balance.
If you don’t get your money within eight weeks, you must contact the Labour Center and inquire about the delay. You must have your ID and name ready when you phone the labour branch.
How Long Does UIF Payment Take After Approval?
When you submit a UIF payment request and it is approved, your claim will be processed within 15 working days. For the second or third payment, payment processing will take not more than 10 working days, especially when you sign for continuation of getting it.
How to Apply for UIF Payout Online?
You must be registered for uFiling and have an active account to submit your UIF claim online. Follow the steps below to apply for a UIF payout using the uFiling platform.
- Visit https://ufiling.labour.gov.za/uif/ and log in to your account
- Click on the tab “Benefit Application and Payments” and then tap on “Apply for Benefits”.
- Choose the benefit you want and click “Apply”.
- Accept the terms and conditions and click “Next”.
- Verify your bank details and tap on “Next”.
- Confirm your details
- Complete information related to your employment
- Update your work seeker details and click on the “Submit” tab
Once you submit your application to UIF, you will get a confirmation message. Ensure the details you provide are correct before submitting your UIF payment request.
What Is the Maximum UIF Payment?
The employee’s maximum contribution to UIF is 2%, where they contribute 1% and the employer another 1%. Additionally, the salary is capped at R17 712, and this figure determines the maximum UIF payment you can get.
If your monthly income is caped at R17 712, you need to calculate your daily earning by utilizing the formula below. Multiply your salary per month by 12 months in a year, then divide by 365 days in a year.
R17, 712 (monthly salary) X 12 (months per year) ÷ 365 (days in a year) = R582.31 (daily income)
With this income rate, you are classified as a high-income earner, so a scale of 36% will be used to calculate your daily contributions that determine your UIF payment.
- 36 / 100 x R582.31 = R209.63
Therefore, the UIF payment for a person who earns R17 712 will be as follows:
R209.63 X 238 (days) =R49 891. 94
This is the maximum UIF payment you can get, although it is paid monthly. If you wish to get your payment over 12 months, then you will get R4 157 (R49 891.94 ÷ 12 =R4157).
Can I Submit My UIF Claim via Email?
You can only submit your claim for UIF payment online via the uFiling platform or visit your nearest Department of Labour. You cannot submit a request via email. However, you can send an email to Ufiling@alteram.co.za for general inquiries or call the Toll Free number 0800 030 007.
Can I Check My UIF Balance Online?
You can check your UIF balance online by following the steps below.
- Visit https://ufiling.labour.gov.za/uif/ and log in to your uFiling account.
- Click on the tan “Check my Balance”.
- Follow the instructions that appear on the screen
- Enter the Captcha that appears
- Enter your employer’s UIF reference number
- Your balance will appear
UIF is a government program designed to provide temporary financial assistance to registered members when they are unable to work due to loss of employment, maternity, and adoption leave as well as the death of the contributing member. You can apply for a UIF payment request online or visit your nearest Labour Center.
