Department of Labour : How to Claim UIF Unemployment Benefits South Africa

Name of the Organization : South African Department of Labour
Type of Facility : How to Claim UIF Unemployment Benefits
Country : South Africa

Official Website : http://www.labour.gov.za/

UIF Unemployment Benefits :

Workers who become unemployed have the right to claim from the UIF. Workers must apply and will be paid at the labour centre of their choice.

Related : Department of Labour Register & De-register With UIF South Africa : www.statusin.org/5013.html

Application :
The Unemployment Insurance Act and Unmployment Insurance Contributions Act apply to all employers and workers, but not to –
** workers working less than 24 hours a month for an employer;
** learners;
** public servants;
** foreigners working on contract to be repatriated at the end of their contract;
** Employees in receipt of an old age pension are; since 07/02/2007, no longer excluded from contributing towards UIF or
** workers who only earn commission.

Who can claim :
You cannot claim if you get :
** benefits from the Compensation Fund;
** benefits from an unemployment fund under the Labour Relations Act;
** or if they –
** are suspended from claiming because of fraud;
** quit their job;
** do not report at set dates and times; or
** refuse training and advice.

Workers can claim if their :
** employers are bankrupt;
** contracts are ended; or if they
** are fired.

Domestic workers can also claim if :
** they work for more than 1 employer, and loose their job at one of the employers; or
** their employer dies.

Workers must register as worker-seekers (see How to Register as Work-seeker) and be available for work.

When must I claim :
Workers must claim within six months after they stopped working.

How long can I claim for :
Workers can claim from the day they stopped working until their benefits are used up or they start working again.

How to Claim UIF Unemployment Benefits :
Unemployed workers must apply for benefits at their nearest labour centre in person. They must be registered as work-seekers and take the necessary documents with them.

Claiming Unemployment Benefits :
If workers want to claim unemployment benefits they must use the following steps :

Step 1 : Get the documents ready
Before workers can claim, they must get the following documents ready :
** 13-digit bar-coded ID or passport;
** form UI-2.8 for banking details;
** form UI-19 to show that you are no longer working for your employer; and
** proof of registration as a work-seeker.

Step 2 : Go to the nearest labour centre
Unemployed workers must go to the nearest labour centre themselves and hand in the documents. Staff at the labour centre will assist them with all the processes and give them more information.

Step 3 : Follow all the instructions of the staff at the labour centre
Staff at the labour centre may ask unemployed workers to go for training or advice or to visit the labour centre at certain times. Workers should do what they ask, or they may not be able to claim.

Benefit Payments :
How will I be paid :
Benefit payments will be paid to the contributors bank account.

Tax :
No tax is payable on the benefits.

Overpayments :
If you get more money than you should, you must pay back the extra money.

When the UIF May Refuse to Pay :
The UIF may stop paying you benefits if you refuse to :
** accept a job;
** go for training; or
** go for advice.