What can I do if my UIF maternity benefits still haven't been paid over a year since I applied?

The long answer

Thank you for your email asking for assistance to get your maternity benefits which you applied for on 3 May 2023 at the Maponya Mall labour department. You didn’t receive your benefits and when you went back to find out why, they said the birth certificate of the baby had not been scanned. You got it scanned but still no payments were made even until today, over a year later. You went back to Maponya Mall labour department, and you called the UIF call centre, but nothing happened.

The UIF says that payments are usually processed within 5 to 8 weeks of the application, so this is really bad.

This is what the UIF says about applying for maternity benefits: 

• The application should be made prior to the birth of a child or within twelve months of birth of the child. 

• The contributor must be receiving less than the normal remuneration whilst on maternity leave. 

• Benefits are payable at a flat rate of 66% to a female contributor, for confinement or the period after birth of a child. 

• Maternity benefits will be paid for a maximum of 121 days. 

• In an event of a miscarriage or a stillbirth, benefits are paid for a maximum period of 121 days

• A contributor must have been employed for at least 13 weeks before the date of application for maternity benefits. 

• Benefits payable are the difference between what the employer pays and the rate prescribed in the benefits schedule of the Unemployment Insurance Act.

These are the required documents:

• Banking details UI-2.8 form. 

• 13- digit Bar-coded South African ID / Passport /ID, (Valid Foreign National passport/ID card/asylum seeker/refugee document)

• Declaration in respect of remuneration received whilst on maternity leave. 

• A completed UI-2.7 form.  

• The application form UI-2.3. 

• Doctors certificate for expected date of confinement or after childbirth, the birth certificate. 

• Follow-up form UI-4 will be issued.

Here are contact details for the UIF:

Call centre: 0800 843 843

WhatsApp 082 046 8553 to talk to a representative.

To "escalate your complaint": 0800 030 007.

As you have already tried the call centre number and they have not helped you, I think you should escalate your complaint and call the 0800 030 007 number. The UIF says you should have your UIF number, ID number and any other personal information ready to help the UIF representative locate your claim on their system.

The UIF also sets out the following steps for checking your UIF status online: 

Step 1: Access the UIF Website

Start by visiting the official UIF website (https://ufiling.labour.gov.za/uif/). This is the primary portal through which all UIF claims and status checks are processed.

Step 2: Create or Log In to Your Account

If you’re a new user, you’ll need to create an account. Click on the ‘Register’ option and fill in the necessary details such as your ID number, email address, and contact information. If you already have an account, simply log in with your credentials.

Step 3: Navigate to the “Check UIF Status” Section

Once logged in, navigate to the ‘Check UIF Status’ section. This can typically be found in the dashboard or under the ‘Services’ menu.

Step 4: Enter Your Claim Details

Enter the required details related to your UIF claim. This usually includes your UIF number and any other documentation number associated with your application.

Step 5: Submit and View Status

After entering your details, submit the query. You should be able to view the status of your UIF claim, including any updates or actions required from your side.

HopkinsCoetzee Associates says that If a claim for any other type of benefits from the Department of Labour has been submitted in the last four years, for example, because you got retrenched or were sick, you will probably not be able to claim for maternity benefits. Again, you would need to phone 0800 030 007 to check your UIF status.

If your UIF claim is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision.

If the steps set out above still do not work, you could ask an organisation like the Black Sash to help you. They give free paralegal advice and may also assist you in contacting the UIF themselves. These are their contact details:

Help@blacksash.org.za

Help lines: 072 663 3739

063 610 1865

Wishing you the best,
Athalie