Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF)

Claiming UIF is not a grant—it is an insurance payout you have already paid for. Here is how to navigate uFiling without getting rejected.

Retrenchment Maternity Illness

How Much Will You Actually Get?

UIF Payout Estimator

Based on 2025/2026 Sliding Scale

Your Gross Monthly Salary (R)

Years Worked (Continuous) Max credits cap at 4 years.

Income Replacement Rate: 0%

Estimated Daily Payout: R0.00

Credit Days Available: 0 Days

Est. Monthly Payout: R0.00

*Disclaimer: This is an estimate. The Department of Labour makes the final calculation based on the ceiling cap of R17,712.

Unlike SASSA's fixed R370, UIF is calculated based on your last salary. The rule is simple: The higher your salary, the lower the percentage (ranging from 38% to 60%).

238

Max Days Payable

4 Years

Work to qualify for Max

58%

Avg Payout of Salary

Note: You accumulate 1 day of credit for every 6 days worked. If you only worked for 1 year, you only have about 60 days of payment credits available.

The "Paperwork" Barrier

90% of online claims on uFiling are rejected because of one missing document. Before you even log in, you need these files on your phone or laptop (PDF format only).

UI-19 Form (Crucial)

Must be signed by Employer. State "Retrenched".

UI-2.8 Form (Banking)

Must be stamped by your bank branch.

Salary Schedule

Proof of income for the last 6 months.

How to Claim (The uFiling Route)

Activate uFiling Account

Go to ufiling.labour.gov.za. If you get an error saying "ID already exists," it means your old employer registered you. You must use the "Forgot Password" function to recover access.

Submit "Application for Benefits"

Once logged in, click "Benefit Application and Payments" > "Apply for Benefits". You will upload the PDF documents listed above here.

The Monthly "Continuation"

This is where people lose money. You don't just apply once. Every month, you must log back in and file a "Continuation of Benefits" to confirm you are still unemployed. If you forget, they stop paying.

System Errors & Fixes

Error: "UI-19 Not Found"

Your employer failed to submit their side. You cannot fix this online. You must visit a Labour Centre with a hard copy of your UI-19 signed by them.

Status: "Sent to Assessor"

This is normal. It means a human is reviewing your file. It typically takes 15 - 30 working days. Do not re-apply.

Can I check UIF status on WhatsApp?

No. Unlike SASSA, UIF does not have a WhatsApp line. You must check via uFiling or call 0800 030 007.

Credits run out?

Apply for SRD R370 Grant Instead