How Do I Know I Qualify For UIF Benefits

By Klenam JU •  Updated: 12/20/22 •  5 min read
UIF

How can you know if you qualify for UIF benefits? What are some of the criteria that make me eligible to claim UIF? 

These are important questions to ask as an employer and a contributor to UIF. The unemployment insurance Fund has set the benchmark which actually tells who can claim UIF

and who can not claim UIF. 

In this article, we will give you insights on knowing your UIF qualification, checking UIF money, and other related matters. 

How Do I Know I Qualify For UIF Benefits

So how can one know if they qualify for UIF benefits? Employers are encouraged to register their employees in order to have their details with the department of labour.

The first step to qualify for UIF is ensuring you are registered as an employee and must have contributed to UIF for the past four years. Individuals who have contributed more than 248 days can put in claims but may be subjected to a minimal amount. The unemployment insurance fund has communicated and confirmed the period to enjoy full UIF benefits must be at least 48 months of contribution as an employee. This certainly puts you in the slots to make claims but does not qualify you to enjoy the UIF benefits.

How do I qualify for UIF benefits? If you are employed and have contributed to UIF in the past 48 months, you are eligible for UIF benefits. But what qualifies you is finding yourself in a position where you can not work for a period of time. The mission and vision of UIF are to support individuals who may have lost their job or are unemployed for one reason or another. A reason to lose a job must be a good note and not being sacked for the wrong reasons. 

If the company lays off workers to cut down staff size, you are entitled to UIF benefits. In this case, it is considered an unemployment reason. If you resigned or absconded from work, although you may have contributed to UIF in the right months, you are not qualified for the benefits. 

Maternity qualifies an individual for UIF benefits. Once you prepare for maternity leave, your qualification to claim UIF is constant. Individuals who may have lost their dependents are also qualified for UIF benefits. UIF has stated that individuals who may be pronounced sick and are unable to work for months are encouraged to apply for UIF benefits since they qualify. 

The last reason to know if you qualify for UIF benefits is the adoption. If you have adopted a child under two years and you may have to stay home to take care of the child, UIF qualifies you to enjoy the benefits. 

How do I check if I have UIF money?

After making contributions to UIF for some months, you may wish to check if that money is still intact. When registering with UIF, your details are used to create a portal that any applicant can access and check the needed information. 

It is possible to check online to view your contribution on the UIF platform but remember that money is not accessible until you qualify. 

New employees who have started contributing can learn a few things about you can check if you have UIF money. Not forgetting existing employees, we will give you a concise step to check if you have UIF. The steps below will show you all the money you have contributed to UIF. 

 Step 1: Visit the official UIF login portal www.ufiling.co.za

Step 2: Log into your portal using your login credentials

Step 3: Navigate to the “employment tab” and click on it

Step 4: Once the page opens, click on “view my contributions”

How many months do you have to work to claim UIF?

This is one of the most asked questions by employees. Once an applicant is registered with UIF, they may wonder about the number of times to contribute to UIF. The period you may be working for does not really matter, but what actually matters is your contribution towards UIF.

Once you find yourself working in a firm, you have to ensure your contributions go to UIF every month for a period of 48 months. 

Claiming UIF lies on the contributions, not the number of years you may be working.

The unemployment insurance fund indicates that employees can enjoy UIF benefits if they have worked and contributed to UIF for at least four years.

Who may not claim UIF?

Claiming UIF means enjoying the benefits set aside for applicants who qualify for this insurance. The UIF criteria begin with registration and contributions. It is seen as a criminal act if you have registered with UIF but have not made any contributions.

Individuals who have not contributed to UIF can not make any claims. If you do not find yourself in the reasons that qualify you to enjoy UIF benefits, you are not eligible to make any claims. These reasons include maternity, illness, adoption, Death of dependents, and unemployment. 

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