If you are an employed female who contributes to the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), you can apply for maternity benefits when you get your maternity leave. However, there are certain documents you should complete and attach to your application for approval. Read on to learn the documentation required when you apply for maternity UIF.
Who Qualify for Maternity Leave?
All females registered with the UIF and contributing to the fund can claim maternity benefits. If you work more than 24 hours a month, you can register for UIF to qualify for the benefits. Additionally, you must be employed for at least 13 weeks.
South African nationals with bar-coded IDs qualify to register for UIF and get maternity benefits. When you are a foreign national with a permit and already contributing to UIF, you qualify to get maternity benefits. However, if your employer has not been deducting monthly UIF funds from your salary, you cannot claim.
You can only be eligible for maternity benefits once you are pregnant and get maternity leave. When you are on maternity leave, you will receive a reduced salary. If you have applied for maternity benefits within the past four years, you will still be eligible to claim again.
If you miscarry during your third trimester or give birth to a stillborn child, you will be eligible to claim up to six weeks of maternity benefits.
Documents Needed to Apply for Maternity UIF
When you apply for UIF maternity benefits, you should visit your nearest Labour Office to register. To do this, you need the following documents.
- A copy of passport or South African ID with a 13-digit bar-code
- Copies of your previous six payslips
- Form UI19 completed by your employer
- Form UI-2.7 also completed by your employer
- Form UI-2.8 with your banking details
- Form UI-2.3 Application/registration form
- Medical certificate obtained from your doctor or the child’s birth certificate
- Form UI-4 follow-up form
Once you are registered, you will need to get another Form UF92 which is completed by your doctor. You must submit it to the labor office where you first applied.
All the required documents must be submitted physically at your nearest labor center. If you cannot go to the center, find someone who can do it for you. The staff at the labor center will provide the necessary assistance.
How Long Does UIF Maternity Take To Pay Out?
When you apply for maternity benefits, there are certain procedures you must follow. You need to visit your nearest labor center, where you will be asked to sign in the unemployment register. The officials at the center will tell you when to come and sign the register again.
You must sign the register every four weeks to show that you are interested in getting the UIF benefits. If you are not feeling well, you can take your doctor’s certificate to the labor center, and you will get a white card. The UIF officer signs the card every time you sign the unemployment register.
It will take you between three and six weeks from the date you submit your application for approval so you can get your first payment. You will get paid for each day you have provided as proof to be on maternity leave. Once your application for UIF benefits gets approval, you still need to provide proof monthly to show that you are still on maternity leave which can take up to four months.
You will get payment from UIF every four weeks until the benefits are finished. If you do not get your money within eight weeks of applying, you need to call the labor center to find out the reason for the delay. The bureaucracy of the system usually causes delays, so you should make a follow-up to ensure you get your money at the right time.
When Should You Apply for Maternity UIF?
The approval process for the UIF benefits usually takes longer, so it is recommended that you apply at least eight weeks before you start your maternity leave. Once you are on maternity leave, your salary is reduced, which makes it imperative to apply for benefits earlier. If you suffer a miscarriage or stillbirth, you can still apply to get the benefits for up to 121 days.
Can I Submit My Maternity UIF Forms Online?
Yes, you can submit your maternity UIF forms online. You can do this by using the uFiling online system, also used by employers to register their workers for UIF contributions. Workers can use the same platform to apply for maternity benefits.
You need to register first, so you can log in to your account if you want to apply for benefits. When you log in to your account, follow the prompts to submit your application.
How Do I Know if My UIF Maternity Claim Is Approved?
It usually takes between five and eight weeks for your UIF maternity claim to be approved. Once the application is approved, you will receive an SMS informing you about the latest status of your application. Once approved, you need to submit a U-14 form each month to receive your payment for four months. If eight weeks lapse without getting anything, you can visit your nearest labor center.
Alternatively, you can log in to your account on the UFiling website to check the status of your application. Click on the button “Check my Status” and follow the prompts that appear on your screen. You should have your reference number to complete the process.
Another option you can consider is to send an email to the Department of Labor at uFiling@alteram.co.za. Include your ID, full name, and UIF registration number in the email. You can also call the UIF support team on 0800 030 007 during working days between 0730 hours and 1600 hours.
How Much Maternity Pay Will I Get?
People who have been contributing to the fund for four years or more are eligible to claim up to 238 days. If you are on maternity leave, you can get up to 121 days. The fund will pay you between 35% and 58% of what you earn per day. Therefore, the amount varies depending on each individual’s contributions.
If you are registered to the UIF and have been making contributions to the fund, you will be eligible to apply for maternity benefits. To get this, there are certain documents you should provide. The steps above can help you apply for your UIF benefits if you are registered with the fund.
