UIF Maternity Forms – South Africa Insider

If you are looking for more information about UIF Maternity Forms, then you are at the right place. Kindly take your time and read our content for a better understanding.

Overview

The Basic Conditions of Employment Act gives pregnant workers the right to take maternity leave.

The Unemployment Insurance Act and Unemployment Insurance Contributions Act apply to all employers and workers, but not to –

workers working less than 24 hours a month for an employer;
learners;
public servants;
foreigners working on contract;
workers who get a monthly State (old age) pension; or
workers who only earn commission.

Claiming Maternity Benefits

Workers on maternity leave must apply for benefits in person at their nearest labor center or arrange for someone else to go in their place. They must bring the relevant paperwork. Employees on maternity leave have the opportunity to file a claim with the UIF.

Employees who want to claim maternity benefits should take the following steps:

Step 1: Get the documents ready

Before workers can claim, they must get the following documents ready:

13-digit bar-coded ID or passport;
Form UI-19 (completed by employer)
Form UI-2.7 (completed by employer)
Form UI-2.8 (for banking details)
Form UI-2.3 (application form)
Form UI-4 (follow-up form) and
Medical certificate from a doctor or birth certificate of the baby.

Step 2: Go to the nearest labour centre

Pregnant workers must go to the nearest labor center and hand in their paperwork. If they are unable to attend due to illness, they can arrange for someone else to do so in their stead. Staff at the labor center will assist them with all processes and provide more information.

Step 3: Follow all the instructions of the staff at the labour centre

Staff at the labor center may request that pregnant women return to the doctor or visit the labor center at specific times. Workers must comply with their requests or risk losing their right to make a claim.

Number of Leave Days

Pregnant workers are entitled to at least 4 consecutive months of maternity leave.

Contact Details

The contact number for the Department of Labour in Grahamstown is 046 622 2104, and Claire is the staff member that handles with maternity leave UIF applications at the Department of Labour in Grahamstown and would be able to assist you.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Maternity Leave UIF Benefits

If my employer pays a % (a portion) of my salary while I am on maternity leave, can I still claim from the unemployment insurance fund (UIF)?

You certainly can. If your employer does not pay you the full amount of your income, you can file a claim with the Unemployment Insurance Fund for the difference (UIF). For example, if your employer pays you 75% p.m. while you are on maternity leave, you can claim the remaining 25% from the UIF. (Keep in mind that you cannot get more than 100% of your compensation from the department and your employer combined.)

When am I supposed to submit my application to the UIF?

The policy (law) states that at least 8 weeks prior to the start of maternity leave, however the department is unable to accept filed paperwork at this time!

Unfortunately, the computer tool used by the Department of Labour cannot handle applications prior to the commencement of maternity leave. As a result, you can only apply after you no longer get your full remuneration/salary from your job.

How long can I claim maternity UIF benefits?

By law, you are not permitted to return to work within six weeks after the birth of your child, and you may claim up to 121 consecutive days (four months) of maternity leave from the Department of Labour. This will, however, be determined by how long you worked before to submitting the application/claim. The Department of Labour calculates how many credit days you have available based on the last four years of work. In brief, you receive one month’s benefits for every six months you work, up to a maximum of four months.

My employer is paying me in full for the first month of maternity leave. When am I supposed/able to submit my application?

Applications may be submitted only after the full monthly remuneration/salary is no longer received. The system will reject applications that are filed before the final complete salary has been received.

How much can I expect to receive from the UIF?

The UIF benefit ranges from 38 to 58 percent of your earnings (up to a maximum of R12478).

For example, if your monthly pay is R12478 or above, you will be paid R155.89 every day (about R4676 p.m.). You will not be able to get more than the maximum amount.

If you earn R5000 per month, you may expect to earn R72.96 every day (R2188 per month), or R47.62 per day if you earn R3000 per month (R1428 p.m.)

How long will it take before I can expect to receive my first payment?

The application is approved and the first payment is made within 3-6 weeks of the day it was submitted. It should be noted that payment is only made for each day that proof of maternity leave can be submitted. Once your application has been approved, you must provide documentation that you are still on maternity leave on a monthly basis.

I hear that the department have access to my bank account and can see if I receive any money into my bank account and that they will then reject my application.

This is not correct. The Department just requires proof of banking details to check that the bank account is operational and that payments are sent to the correct account. Keep in mind that the bank account must be in your own name! You are not permitted to use your husband’s/fiancé’s/friend’s/employers’ or anybody else’s account.

I’ve claimed maternity benefits in the last four years.

You are eligible to claim maternity benefits again, even if it is within four years of your prior claim. Only if you have claimed sick or jobless benefits within the four years preceding your pregnancy claim will you most likely be denied maternity benefits.

I’ve am the owner of my own business.

This could be a concern, therefore you should talk to the Department of Labour about your alternatives.

Paid by the hour?

If you are paid by the hour, add your last six months’ pay and divide by six. Apply the same logic to your UIF donations. The monthly salary and UIF contribution that will be utilized on the UI.19 and UI2.7 forms will be the response.

Who can claim?

Workers on maternity leave who pay UIF on a monthly basis can file a claim with the Department of Labour, but only if they do not earn their entire monthly wage while on maternity leave.