If your job ended and UIF was deducted from your pay, you may be able to claim unemployment benefits from the Unemployment Insurance Fund. Worker claims are now made only on UIF Online. The old uFiling site stopped taking them in May 2026.
Where are you right now?
You stay on this website. Free guide. No payment required.
What the UIF unemployment benefit is
The UIF is an insurance fund, not a grant. While you work, you and your employer each pay 1% of your pay into it. If your employer ends your job, the fund can pay you part of your previous income for a limited time while you look for work.
What you receive depends on what you earned and how long you contributed. No website, including this one, can approve a claim. Only the UIF can.
On this page
- What the UIF unemployment benefit is
- Who can usually claim
- Three things to have ready
- How much UIF pays, in short
- Frequently asked questions
Who can usually claim
- Your employer ended your job, or your contract expired.
- UIF was deducted from your pay and declared by your employer.
- You are registered as a work-seeker and you are able to work.
- You apply within 12 months of your last working day.
Workers who resign or abscond generally do not qualify, unless the CCMA finds that it was a constructive dismissal.
Three things to have ready
- Your ID. Your 13-digit South African ID, or your passport.
- Form UI-19. Your former employer completes it to confirm that you no longer work there.
- Your bank details. An account in your own name, confirmed by your bank on form UI-2.8.
The full document list is in the UIF claim guide.
How much UIF pays, in short
UIF pays between 38% and 60% of your average pay, and lower earners get the higher percentage. Pay above R17,712 a month is not counted. You earn one day of benefits for every four days you worked, up to 365 days.
Estimate your own amount with the UIF calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the official UIF website?
No. This is an independent guide. Claims are made only on uifonline.labour.gov.za or at a labour centre.
Does it cost money to claim UIF?
No. Claiming is free, online and at labour centres. Be careful of anyone who asks for a fee.
Can I still claim on uFiling?
No. The uFiling site now says worker benefit claims are no longer processed there and points to UIF Online. Employers still use uFiling.
I resigned. Can I claim?
Generally not. The exception is a constructive dismissal confirmed at the CCMA.
This website is an independent information site. It is not the UIF or the Department of Employment and Labour, and it is not affiliated with any government body. Only the UIF decides who qualifies and how much is paid. We never ask for payment.
