If you have been working and contributing to the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), you may be able to claim benefits when your job ends. The benefits are not a full salary, but they can provide a vital income while you look for your next job. The fund is run by the Department of Employment and Labour.
How UIF contributions work
Most employees in South Africa contribute to the UIF. Each month, 1% of your remuneration is deducted from your salary and your employer contributes another 1%, up to a maximum earnings ceiling. You can see the deduction on your payslip — our guide to reading your payslip shows where.
Who can claim unemployment benefits
You can generally claim if you contributed to the fund and your employment ended because, for example:
- your contract came to an end;
- you were retrenched; or
- you were dismissed.
If you resigned, you will generally not qualify for unemployment benefits. The fund also pays other types of benefits, such as maternity, illness, adoption and dependants' benefits, each with its own rules.
How much you can receive
Benefits are calculated as a percentage of your previous earnings, on a sliding scale under which lower earners receive a higher percentage of their salary. How long you can claim depends on how long you contributed: you build up credits of one day of benefits for every four days worked, up to a maximum of 365 days in a four-year period.
Documents you will usually need
- Your ID document.
- The UI-19 form from your employer, which confirms your employment and the reason it ended. Ask for it on your last day if you have not received it.
- Your banking details, with proof such as a stamped bank letter or statement.
- Recent payslips, if available.
Requirements can change, so check the current list with the Department of Employment and Labour before you apply.
How to apply
You can apply online through the department's uFiling system, or in person at a labour centre. When claiming unemployment benefits you will usually also need to register as a work seeker with the department. Keep copies of everything you submit and note any reference numbers.
Do not miss the deadline
Apply as soon as possible after your job ends. Claims for unemployment benefits generally have to be made within six months of the end of your employment, and late claims may be rejected.
If your employer did not register you
Some employees discover, when they try to claim, that their employer never registered them or never paid over their contributions. If this happens, report it to the Department of Employment and Labour, which can investigate. Keep your payslips, as they are evidence that deductions were made.
While you claim
Use the time to update your CV and keep applying. Our guides to writing a CV and applying for government jobs are good places to start, and the jobs section lists new posts every day.