Last updated: 16 October 2026
Lost your job? If you paid UIF, you can claim unemployment benefits online. The process moved to a new system in 2025 and 2026, and many people still use the old website by mistake. This guide shows you the right site, the documents you need and how much you may get.
Wiz Admissions is an independent website. We are not affiliated with the UIF or the Department of Employment and Labour.
UIF claim at a glance
- Where to claim online: UIF Online at uifonline.labour.gov.za
- Old uFiling claims portal: Closed for employee claims on 20 May 2026
- Deadline: Apply within 12 months after your job ends
- Credit days: 1 day for every 4 days worked, up to 365 days
- Benefit: A sliding scale of about 38% to 60% of your daily pay (capped)
- UIF call centre: 0800 030 007
- Cost: Free. You do not need an agent
Important: uFiling Has Been Replaced by UIF Online
For years, workers claimed UIF on a site called uFiling. That has changed.
- The department launched UIF Online on 1 April 2025.
- The old uFiling employee claims portal was officially closed on 20 May 2026.
- The old employer portal was due to move to UIF Online later in 2026.
In May 2026, GroundUp reported that the old site was still online. It ranked high in Google and still accepted claims. But those claims were not being processed. One claimant had to start over.
Use this address for new claims: https://uifonline.labour.gov.za/uifOnline/
The minister’s office said no claims from the old system were lost. They were being checked and moved to the new platform.
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Who Can Claim UIF Unemployment Benefits?
You can usually claim if:
- You worked for an employer who paid UIF for you
- You were dismissed, retrenched, or your contract ended
- You apply within 12 months after your job ended
- You are registered as a work-seeker with the Department of Employment and Labour
- You are not working now and are available for work
Who cannot claim?
- People who resigned by choice (unless it was constructive dismissal)
- People who worked fewer than 24 hours a month for an employer
- Workers paid only by commission
- Groups excluded by the UIF Act, such as people on learnerships, as listed in the department’s guides
UIF contributions are 2% of salary. You pay 1% and your employer pays 1%.
How Much UIF Will You Get?
Your payout depends on two things: your credit days and your income.
Credit days
You earn one credit day for every four days you worked and contributed. The maximum is 365 credit days. You need about four years of contributions to build up the full 365.
Benefit rate
| Part of your claim | Rate paid |
|---|---|
| First 238 credit days | 38% to 60% of your average daily pay |
| Credit days 239 to 365 | 20% of your average daily pay |
| Salary cap used in the sum | R17,712 per month (per the department’s 2022 guide) |
Lower earners get a higher percentage. Higher earners get a lower percentage. Pay above the cap is not counted.
Simple formula
- Work out your average daily pay.
- Multiply it by your benefit percentage. This is your daily benefit.
- Multiply your daily benefit by your credit days.
Use this only as a rough guide. The UIF does the final calculation.
Documents You Need
Scan or photograph these clearly before you start:
- Your 13-digit barcoded South African ID or valid passport
- UI-19 form, completed by your employer
- Service certificate from your employer
- UI-2.8 banking details form, completed and stamped by your bank
- Salary information, such as a UI-2.7 or salary schedule, if asked
- Proof of registration as a work-seeker
- UI-2.11, if you took a voluntary severance package or early retirement
Ask your employer for the UI-19 on your last day. Many claims stall because this form is missing.
How to Claim UIF Online: Step by Step
- Register as a work-seeker. Do this with the Department of Employment and Labour, online or at a labour centre.
- Go to UIF Online. Type uifonline.labour.gov.za in your browser. Do not use the old ufiling.labour.gov.za claims site.
- Register or log in. Follow the prompts to create your profile. The site uses your ID number to reset passwords.
- Choose “Claim UIF”. Select the unemployment benefit.
- Check your personal details. Make sure your ID, phone and address are correct.
- Add your banking details. Use an account in your own name.
- Upload your documents. Use clear, readable scans.
- Submit your claim. Save or screenshot your reference number.
- Sign your continuation form every 28 days. Payments stop if you miss it.
No internet? Go to your nearest labour centre. Staff can help you claim.
How Long Does a UIF Claim Take?
In August 2026, GroundUp shared these UIF timelines:
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Claim approved or rejected | About 20 working days |
| First payment | About 4 to 6 weeks after you submit |
| Later payments | About 7 to 10 working days after each continuation form |
Fraud checks can add time. Payment dates may also shift from month to month.
How to Check Your UIF Claim Status
- Online: Log in to UIF Online and view your claim.
- USSD: In 2023 the department promoted a free USSD code, *134*843#, for claim and payment status. Confirm it still works for UIF Online claims.
- Phone: Call the UIF call centre on 0800 030 007. Have your ID number ready.
- In person: Visit your nearest labour centre.
What If Your Claim Is Rejected?
You can appeal. The department’s guide says you can appeal online or hand in the UI-12 notice of appeal form. Submit it at the labour centre that rejected your claim.
Before you appeal, check the reason. Often it is a missing UI-19 or wrong bank details.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using the old uFiling site. New employee claims must go through UIF Online.
- Waiting too long. Apply within 12 months after your job ends.
- Claiming after resigning. Resignation usually does not qualify.
- Using someone else’s bank account. The account must be in your name.
- Missing your 28-day continuation. Your payments will stop.
- Working and claiming at the same time. This is fraud.
Scam Warning
The UIF Online system is self-service. You do not need to pay an agent to claim.
- Never share your UIF Online password or OTP.
- Be careful of WhatsApp “UIF helpers” who ask for a fee upfront.
- Do not pay to “speed up” your claim. Nobody can do that.
- Check that the website address ends in labour.gov.za.
Report UIF fraud on the hotline 0800 601 148 or email fraud@uif.gov.za.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still claim UIF on uFiling?
No, not for new employee claims. The uFiling employee claims portal closed on 20 May 2026. Use UIF Online at uifonline.labour.gov.za.
Can I claim UIF if I resigned?
Usually not. UIF pays when you were dismissed, retrenched or your contract ended. Constructive dismissal may be an exception.
How long do I have to claim?
The department’s guide says you must apply within 12 months after your employment ends.
How many months of UIF can I get?
It depends on your credit days. You earn one day for every four days worked, up to 365 days.
What is the UIF phone number?
The UIF call centre number is 0800 030 007. You can also visit any labour centre for help.
Related Guides
- General Worker Jobs
- EPWP Jobs
- CV Template for South Africa
- Work From Home Jobs in South Africa
- Debt Review in South Africa
- SASSA Appeal 2026
Conclusion
UIF is money you helped pay for, so claim it if you lose your job. Use UIF Online, not the old uFiling site. Get your UI-19 and bank form ready, apply within 12 months, and sign your continuation form every 28 days.
Disclaimer: Wiz Admissions is an independent information website. We are not affiliated with the Unemployment Insurance Fund or the Department of Employment and Labour. Rules, rates and systems can change, so always confirm details at labour.gov.za or a labour centre.
