UIF can be a minefield of documentation which adds to the stress of being unemployed, claiming for maternity benefits or for the death of a family member. UIF should start pay-outs within eight weeks of registration (if all documents are correct) and funds should be paid into the nominated bank account every four weeks until the UIF funds are depleted. The UIF should send a slip showing receipt and balance of funds. Benefits should be payable for 12 months for unemployment, and for maternity a flat rate of 66% for the allocated months. Claims must be submitted within a 12-month period for unemployment, maternity, illness and adoption and 18 months for death benefit claims.
With COVID rampant sick leave could also run out. The UIF has advised possible eligibility for benefits for sick leave. The leave should be more than 2 weeks and benefits will start from the date from which one is booked off.
Very few people know that the spouse or children under 18 can claim UIF with the death of a family member, provided that the deceased was contributing to the fund. Below is a list of forms required:
- Standard unemployment benefit documents – ID book or passport, proof of registration as someone seeking work (signing the unemployment register at the department of labour’s office), service certificate from your employer, copies of last six payslips, UI-2.8 form, UI-19 form, proof of banking details.
- Maternity benefit documents – ID book or passport, copies of last six payslips, UI-2.8, UI-19, service certificate from the employer, proof of banking details, statement of amount received from employer during maternity leave, UI-2.7, UI-2.3 (application form), medical certificate from a doctor or birth certificate, UI-4 (follow up form), fully completed registration form.
- Adoption benefit documents – ID or passport, copies of last six payslips, UI-19, service certificate from the employer, adoption order, proof of banking details, statement of amount that you received from work during the adoption leave, copy of adopted child’s birth certificate
- Death benefit documents – Claiming person’s ID, copies of deceased’s last six payslips, UI-19 from the employer, copy of death certificate, copy of marriage certificate, service certificate from the employer, proof of the claimant’s banking details. Children of the deceased will need to submit, in addition to the prior requirements, UF127 form, copy of their birth certificates, proof of guardianship, proof of a learnership in the case of dependence on the deceased.
Below are links to sources to find out more or to download documents: