How can my kids and I claim death benefits for their father who was not living with us or listed on their birth certificates?

The long answer

A surviving spouse or life partner can claim UIF death benefits within 18 months of the contributor’s death. However, as you were not living with your boyfriend, it is unlikely that you would be considered a life partner for the purposes of claiming UIF death benefits. A life partner is generally considered to be someone who is cohabiting, and whose union is long-term and like a marriage. 

For the children to claim death benefits (also within 18 months), they would need to provide their birth certificates. But as your late boyfriend’s name does not appear on their birth certificates, it would be difficult to prove that he was their father.  

To claim dependent death benefits, the children would need to complete Form UF127 and submit it to the Labour Office. They would also need:

• Copies of the last six payslips of their father;

• Information supplied by the employer on form UI-19;

• A service certificate from the employer;

• A certified copy of their birth certificates;

• Proof of their banking details;

• A certified copy of the death certificate;

• Proof that the children were learners who were dependent on the deceased.

The Labour Office would give them Form UF128, which would need to be filled in by the deceased's last employer and then submitted at the Labour Office.

It may be worth asking the UIF if there is anything you can do now to prove that your deceased boyfriend was the children’s father.

This is their contact number:

UIF Call Centre on 0800 843 843 (have your ID number ready).

You could also ask the Black Sash (who gives free paralegal advice) if there is anything you can do.

Here are their contact details:

Helpline: 072 6633 739

Email: help@blacksash.org.za 

Wishing you the best,
Athalie