Relief schemes during Covid-19: see if you qualify to apply

The implementation of the 21-day lockdown as part of the National Disaster Management Act to contain the spread of Covid-19 will have long-lasting financial implications for many South Africans. To address this, the government has introduced the Covid-19 Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (Covid-19 TERS) – formerly the National Disaster Benefit – to assist both employers and employees impacted by the lockdown.

According to the Unemployment Insurance Fund, R30 billion is available for those formal employees who have lost an income due to the lockdown. The amount available for employees fall between R3,500 in line with the minimum wage and the maximum at R6,730.

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) Commissioner, Teboho Maruping, explained that the UIF will be electronically processing applications for the Covid-19 TERS to mitigate the impact of the 21-day national lockdown on workers, business and the economy. The Covid-19 TERS Benefit is de-linked from the other UIF benefits and processes, however applications are subjected to normal verification and validation processes of the Fund.

Maruping said the UIF is ready to assist affected workers and companies. “As a caring organisation, we will continue monitoring the situation and assist workers and companies to limit the negative financial impact of the Covid-19 on workers, business and our economy. I would also like to caution workers and companies that submitting a fraudulent claim is a criminal act that will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

The circumstances under which the Covid-19 TERS can be applied for include:

• When an employer has no option but to close operations in lockdown and temporarily lay-off employees. During this time employees won’t receive any income.
• When employers have to implement reduced working hours and employees are receiving part of the monthly income.

To streamline the application process, the Department of Employment and Labour has urged that the employers assist employees with submitting the claims. For more information on the application process, visit www.labour.gov.za, email covid19ters@labour.gov.za or call the hotline 012 337 1997.