Frequently Asked Questions

Maternity UIF Benefit

Who can claim UIF maternity benefits?

You must be a South African citizen and have a bar-coded ID Book.
Employees (or members of close corporations) who have been contributing to the unemployment insurance fund on a monthly basis, who aren't being paid their full salaries whilst on maternity leave can claim for up to four (4) months.
Employees who miscarry in their third trimester or deliver a stillborn child may claim from the fund for six (6) weeks.
Employees who resign whilst pregnant or during maternity leave may claim up to four (4) months maternity benefits.
Non-residents (Foreign Nationals) who have a work permit and have been contributing to the fund.

Who cannot claim UIF maternity benefits?

If you have claimed any other type of benefits (i.e.: retrenchment, sick leave) from the Department of Labour within the last 4-5 years it is unlikely that you will be able to claim maternity benefits from the fund. Please contact us to check your status with the Department of Labour.
If you do not contribute to UIF on a monthly basis.
If you do not have a bar-coded ID book, valid South African Passport or work permit.
Sole proprietors.
Foreigners working on contract basis.
Employees who receive their full salaries whilst on maternity leave.
Workers who get a monthly state pension or receive a grant from the Compensation Fund.
Workers who work for government departments may not be able to claim. Check with your employer.

How long will I receive benefits paid?

You can claim for a maximum of 121 consecutive days (four (4) months).
If you have been contributing to UIF for the last four years, you are entitled to four (4) months of maternity leave. For every six (6) months worked, you can claim one (1) month of UIF maternity benefits from the Department of Labour.
They use the last four (4) years of your employment record, to calculate the amount of credit days you have.

Is there a time limit to when I can claim?

Yes your baby must be under six (6) months old. It is best to claim long before then to avoid any complications.

Can I claim if I am still earning my full salary?

No, only if you are earning part of your salary. The moment your employer does not pay you 100% of your salary, you can claim the balance from the Unemployment Insurance Fund.

I receive a portion of my salary whilst on maternity leave. Can I claim from the fund?

Yes. If your employer does not pay you your full salary (i.e.: 100%) while you are on maternity leave, then you can claim the shortfall from the unemployment insurance fund. For example: If your employer pays you 60% of your normal monthly salary, you can claim the shortfall (i.e.: 40%) from the fund.

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

You can only submit your application when you do not receive your full monthly remuneration anymore. If you submit it before then your application will be thrown out of the system.

Your claim period.

You can only claim for the time you are actually on maternity leave; i.e. if you take only two (2) months of maternity leave, you can only claim for two (2) months benefits, even if you have enough credits available to claim for four (4) months.
If you take six (6) months maternity leave and your employer will be paying you your full salary for two (2) months, you will be able to claim for four (4) additional months that you will not be receiving a salary. The law entitles you to a full four months of maternity leave and any time you take off from work longer than that is by your own choice. Your claim however can only be submitted when you don't receive any monies from your employer.

What can I expect to be paid?

You can expect to receive between 38% and 58% of your gross salary per month The last four (4) years are taken into account.
The maximum gross salary that is used to calculate your maternity benefit is R14,872. (this is for 2015 - subject to change every year)

Can I claim if I get paid by the hour?

Yes you can. Simply add the last six (6) months salary and divide it by six (6), do the same with your UIF contributions. Your employer must use these amounts to fill in your UI-19 and UI-2.7.

Can I claim UIF if I resign while I am pregnant?

Yes, you can claim four (4) months maternity benefits if you resign (this is the only time that you can claim maternity UIF benefits when you resign).

I have changed jobs in the last four years, how does this affect my claim?

If you have changed jobs in the last four (4) years, your previous employer(s) will have to complete a UI.19 form, in order for you to receive maximum credits, for your four (4) months Maternity UIF benefit.

I have been retrenched or my contract ended, can I still claim UIF benefits?

Yes, you can claim for Maternity Benefits and then Unemployment Benefits. You must first claim for UIF maternity benefits, (it doesn't matter how far pregnant you are - you can claim now). If you apply for unemployment first you will not be able to claim for Maternity Benefits.

I am already on maternity leave, can I still claim?

Yes, you must apply within six (6) months from of birth of your baby. The Department of Labour will back pay your benefits from the start of your maternity leave, to the date of your application.

How will I be paid?

Benefit payments will be deposited directly into your personal bank account. Remember it must be your personal account and not a joint account.

How long before I receive my first payment?

The first payment is often a very small amount. You are paid for the days from the beginning of your leave up to the date your claim is handed in. A larger payment will follow within approximately a week. There after we do a continuation of payment every month, and 7 - 10 days after that date of submission you will receive your monthly payment. Your last payment will be paid to you when you have already commenced work again.

Will I be taxed?

No tax is payable on UIF maternity Benefits

Can the Department see if I receive any money into my account and reject my claim?

This is not true. The only reason that they want proof of your banking details is to make sure that your bank account is active and that they pay the money into the right account. Remember your bank account must be in your own name! You cannot use your husband's account or even a joint account.

I have claimed maternity UIF benefits in the last four years. Can I claim now?

You can claim now. Only if you claimed sick or unemployment benefits you will probably not be able to claim now

Can I claim maternity UIF benefits if I am the owner of my own business?

If you are the member of a Close Corporation or a Pty you can claim UIF. If you are a Sole Proprietor you cannot claim UIF.

I am a Non-South African Employee?

Since 2010 workers that are not citizens of South-Africa can claim UIF from the Department of Labour.These applications take longer to approve.

What forms from the department of Labour will I need to fill in ?
UI-2.3 : Application for Maternity Benefits
UI-19 : Employers Declaration
UI-2.7 : Remuneration received by the employee
UI-2.8 : Application to pay Benefits into banking account

All the forms, as well as instructions and assistance on how to complete them, will be provided by Little Monkey Maternity Uif Claims.

When do I need to fill in all the documents and send to Little Monkey Maternity Uif Claims?

Once we have established that you qualify for UIF benefits we will send you the relevant forms. Once payment is made, we will start the registration process, and start to send in the relevant documentation. Your claim will only be looked at by the Department of Labour once you have started your maternity leave.

How long does it take to process my claim?

Government works at their own pace, but 6-8 weeks is a good estimate..

Can Little Monkey Maternity uif claims, claim for me regardless where I live?

Yes, we will submit your claim to the Department of Labour regardless in which province you live.

How can I get started?

Contact us on 084 310 5123 (available on sms and or whatsapp) or maternity@littlemonkey-uif.co.za for the initial free-of-charge evaluation. Once we established that you qualify for UIF we enter into a contract and get cracking!

Unemployment UIF Benefit

Coming Soon