How to claim UIF – What to know beforehand
Have you always wondered about what UIF is, and who is eligible to claim from the UIF?
Claiming from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) can become quite a labour-intensive and daunting task, especially figuring out where to even begin the process of cashing out a claim.
The government once hosted a website (last updated on December 18, 2008) dedicated to outlining the process of understanding (and claiming) UIF. However, the page was taken down between September 17 and 18, prompting a deep-dive search for information that’s pertinent for understanding the process behind claiming UIF, and who qualifies.
Read more: Should you use an agency to claim maternity UIF?
An online trip to the Western Cape government’s website yielded a sufficient amount of information to guide persons seeking to know how they can access their UIF contributions, and who is eligible to benefit from UIF.
What is UIF?
The Unemployment Insurance Fund is a government offering of short-term financial assistance to help people who either lose their jobs or persons who are unable to work due to illness, or maternity leave (which includes adoption leave). It’s also a comfort to note that the fund also assists dependents of a contributing worker if they die.
Who qualifies for UIF?
Understanding who is eligible for claiming unemployment insurance comes with knowing who is ineligible for claiming UIF. To benefit from UIF, you need to contribute to UIF – and not everyone is eligible to contribute to UIF.
UIF facts
- Employees who are registered with the UIF and who have been paying contributions to the fund can claim if they lose their jobs or cannot work.
- You can claim unemployment benefits if you have been dismissed or retrenched or if your contract has expired.
- You cannot claim if you have voluntarily resigned from your job.
- Unemployment benefits must be collected from the Labour Office on the date they said the money will be there.
- You have to collect the money yourself and you must have your white card and ID book with you.
Who is ineligible to contribute to UIF per the UI and UI Contributions Acts of 2001/2002?
- Persons who had been working for their employer for less than 24 months.
- Learners
- Public servants
- Non-South Africans working in South Africa on contract
- South African workers who get a government old age pension
- South African workers who only earn a commission.
Who is eligible to contribute to UIF per the UI and UI Contributions Acts of 2001/2002?
- Domestic employers and their workers have been included under the Act since April 1, 2003. Workers and employers under domestic arrangements are respectively expected to contribute 1% each to the UIF pot.
- It is the employer’s responsibility to deduct the worker’s contribution from their salary and pay it to the fund – along with their contribution.
- It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that all employees are registered with the UIF.
- If an employee has been registered and the contributions are paid, then that employee will be able to claim from the fund.
- The employee does not need a card or any other proof that they have contributed to the UIF.
This South African fund to support those who are eligible to claim UIF is established through the Unemployment Insurance Act (No. 63 of 2001) to provide for the fund’s payment of unemployment benefits to those who qualify, and governed through the Unemployment Insurance Contributions Act 4 of 2002.
Also read: DA lobbies for domestic worker UIF
What employers contributing to employee UIF may not do:
- Deduct more than 1%.
- Deduct outstanding amounts when they fall behind with payments.
- Ask for a fee deducting the money.
- If employers deduct too much money by accident, they must pay the extra money back to workers.
National Acts supporting UIF
- Unemployment Insurance Act (No. 63 of 2001): Established UIF to provide payment from the fund of unemployment benefits to qualifying employees.
- Unemployment Insurance Contributions Act 4 of 2002: Established to provide for the imposition and collection of contributions for the benefit of the Unemployment Insurance Fund; and. to provide for matters connected therewith.
How can a person who is eligible claim from the UIF?
To claim unemployment benefits you need to have the following:
- A copy of a 13-digit bar-coded identity document.
- A copy of your last six payslips.
- Information supplied by your employer through a (UI-19) form.
- A service certificate from the employer.
- Proof of registration as a work seeker.
- A fully completed registration form.
Source links: UIF online
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