How to register your nanny for unemployment benefits

Here's what you need to know about the process.

Picture: iStock

As many families face financial strain due to the lockdown, they have had to relook at their budgets and cute back on a lot of things. One of the expenses is a helper who even though they may want to keep them on full pay, only have the option to cut their pay or else live without them completely.

Stats SA reports that South Africa has over one million domestic workers and those whose employers have been contributing to UIF for them will be able to claim from the Covid-19 Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS).

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So if you’re an employer is unable to pay your helper during lockdown you can apply for UIF TERS on their behalf. This benefit doest cover workers who do not contribute to the fund (often in the informal sector) and undocumented foreign nationals. – although the South African Domestic Service and Allied Workers Union (SADSAWU) and United Domestic Workers of South Africa (UDWOSA) have proposed an amnesty for all employers who have not registered their employees and have not contributed to the fund.

Also Read: Are nannies allowed to go back to work?

This is how you can apply for UIF support for them during this time:

Go to http://uifecc.labour.gov.za/covid19/covid19 and register on the portal.
Register as User
Ensure that you fill in your UIF reference number, trade name, and contact details.
Login Using User ProfileAs the employer, you must log in by entering your UIF reference number as your username and your newly created password.
Register as EmployerYou’ll need to enter your PAYE number and chosen payment medium. After having captured these details, the employer will click the “Proceed” button at the bottom of the registration page.
Accept Terms and Conditions of Memorandum of Agreement between UIF and EmployerThe employer will then have to accept the terms and conditions of the relevant MOA, which will be displayed on the screen, by clicking “Accept”.
Accept Terms and Conditions of the Letter of Undertaking
The same process will then have to be followed in respect of the terms and conditions provided in the Letter of Undertaking.
Confirmation of Bank DetailsAs the employer, you will then have to confirm your bank account details by uploading a PDF document of your bank confirmation in the form of the latest bank statement.
Capturing Affected Employees’ DetailsAs the employer, you will then have to enter the relevant details of your affected employees, by either uploading CSV files (which are Microsoft excel templates provided by the UIF and which have to be converted to CSV files) or capturing their affected employees’ individual details on the online platform.
Wait for Email ConfirmationOnce the above has been completed, you should be directed to a page providing: “Employee details has been successfully loaded. An email will be sent to you once a claim has been processed.”