What Every South African Employee Should Know About UIF and How Employers Can Help

23 Jun 2025
Understanding the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) can be empowering, especially during uncertain times. Whether you're an employer guiding your team or an employee seeking clarity, knowing how UIF works - and what your rights and responsibilities are - can make all the difference. 
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What Is UIF?

The UIF provides short-term relief to workers when they become unemployed, take maternity leave, or are unable to work due to illness or adoption leave. It’s a safety net funded through contributions by both the employer and employee (1% each of the employee’s salary) up to a maximum of R177.12 each per month according to 2025 rates.
 
What Employers Should Share with Their Teams
 
As an employer, being transparent and supportive with UIF processes not only builds trust but also improves compliance. Here’s what you can explain to your employees:
 
  • Their Rights: UIF is a legal right for qualifying employees. If they've worked more than 24 hours a month and contributed, they may claim.
  • Claim Triggers: Employees can claim when unemployed, ill for more than seven days, on maternity/adoption leave, during the 10-day parental leave, if the contributor passes away (then their dependents can claim), or during reduced work hours.
  • Documentation Required: The UI-19 form is a must. Other necessary documents may include an ID, payslips, a salary schedule, banking details, and a medical or maternity certificate.
  • Time Limits: Claims must be lodged within 6 months of becoming unemployed or on leave.
  • How Claims Work: Claims can be submitted online via the Department of Labour's uFiling portal or manually at a labour centre.
 
A Note for Employees
 
If you’ve lost your job or taken leave and have contributed to UIF, don’t delay - know your status and start your claim process early. Ask your HR rep for your UI-19 and other relevant documents.
 
A Modern HR Tool for Modern Teams
 
With openHR.co.za, businesses can maintain their HR and payroll records for free and generate UI-19 forms instantly - with a single click.
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