How and when can you claim unemployment benefits?

What do you do if you become unemployed or ill? We look at the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) and the benefits that it makes available to contributors.

All workers that have been paying UIF contributions can claim UIF for any period of unemployment exceeding 14 days if you are dismissed, your contract has ended, or if your employer is insolvent.

You can claim from your last day of employment and you must claim within six months after the termination of the employment contract. You can also claim your UIF benefits if you have retired, provided that you register within six months from the date you retire.

What will be paid to me?
You can claim one day for every six days that you contributed to the Fund up to a maximum period of 238 days if you worked for four years or longer. Benefits are calculated on a sliding scale between 38% of your salary for highly paid workers to 58% for the lowest paid worker. The maximum amount that can be claimed is capped at a certain figure, which is adjusted when necessary.

Additional UIF benefits
In addition to the unemployment benefit, the UIF also offers the following benefits to contributors.

Illness benefits
This benefit is available to contributors if they are ill and are unable to work for more than 14 days and are not receiving a salary or receiving only a part of their salary.

Maternity benefits
This benefit can be claimed if you are pregnant and take maternity leave.

Adoption benefits
This benefit can be claimed if you legally adopt a child younger than two years. Only one of the adopting parents may claim this benefit.

Death benefits
A spouse is entitled to claim their spouse’s benefit if the claim is lodged within six months of the death of the contributor. A dependant child is entitled to claim the contributor’s UIF if the spouse did not claim within six months of the contributor’s death.

Applicants should remember

  • If you want to claim from the Fund you need to go to your nearest Labour Centre.
  • You need to inform the claims officer if you resume work if you are receiving UIF benefits, as it is illegal to work and draw benefits at the same time.
  • You will have to pay back to the Unemployment Insurance Fund if you receive more than you are entitled to.
  • You must report at times and dates stipulated by the claims officer and obey their instructions when advised to do so.
  • You should not wait until it is too late to apply for benefits.
  • You will not receive any UIF benefits if you resign from employment.
  • UIF benefit payments are not subject to tax.
  • The UIF may stop paying your benefits if you refuse to accept a job or undergo training and vocational counselling.

Article by Riona Bishoon, MISA’s Strategy & Development Department.

Return to main article