Every figure on this page is checked against SASSA's official portal at srd.sassa.gov.za, the Department of Employment and Labour, and Government Gazette notices. Grant amounts, income thresholds and payment dates are reviewed at the start of every month and again after each national Budget.
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How Much UIF Will You Actually Get? Worked Examples
The calculator above does this for you, but it helps to see how the number is reached. UIF does not pay a flat percentage. It uses a sliding scale, so the lower your salary was, the higher the percentage you get back. Here is the full working for someone who earned R8,000 a month and contributed for 24 months.
Worked example: R8,000 salary, 24 months contributing
Total you can claim: R133.50 × 180 = R24,030, paid out over roughly 6 months
The same working at other salary levels, all assuming 24 months of contributions:
Your monthly salary
Your rate
Per day
Per month
Total over 180 days
R3,500
55.7%
R64.93
R1,947
R11,687
R5,000
53.8%
R89.65
R2,689
R16,137
R8,000
50.1%
R133.50
R4,005
R24,030
R12,000
45.1%
R180.38
R5,411
R32,468
R17,712
38.0%
R224.35
R6,731
R40,383
R25,000
38.0%
R224.35
R6,731
R40,383
Notice the last two rows are identical. UIF stops counting salary above R17,712 per month. Someone on R25,000 and someone on R17,712 receive exactly the same payout, because contributions and benefits are both capped at that ceiling. If you earned well above the ceiling, expect your UIF to feel like a much smaller share of your old salary.
How long can you claim for?
You earn 1 credit day for every 4 days you worked and contributed, capped at 238 days. Credit days are what limits how long payments last, not how much you earned.
Time contributing
Credit days earned
Roughly how long payments last
6 months
45 days
About 1.5 months
12 months
90 days
About 3 months
18 months
135 days
About 4.5 months
24 months
180 days
About 6 months
32 months or more
238 days (maximum)
About 8 months
Working longer than 32 months does not earn you more credit days, because 238 is the ceiling. Someone who contributed for 3 years and someone who contributed for 15 years can claim for the same maximum period.
How to Claim UIF in South Africa - Step-by-Step
Lost your job? Been retrenched? Here's exactly how to claim your Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) benefits. You can apply online via uFiling or in person at your nearest Labour Centre.
1
Gather your documents before applying
You need your SA ID, last 6 payslips, UI-19 form from your employer, proof of dismissal or retrenchment, and your bank account details. See the full checklist below.
2
Register on uFiling (online method)
Visit uifonline.labour.gov.za. Click "Register", enter your SA ID number, and create a username and password. Activate your account via the confirmation email or SMS.
3
Submit your claim online
Log in to uFiling, go to "Apply for Benefits", select "Unemployment Benefits" (or Maternity/Illness). Upload all required documents and submit. You'll receive a reference number.
4
Track your claim status
Check your status online via uFiling under "Benefit Payments" > "View My Claims". Or dial *134*843# from any mobile phone (no data needed). Allow 4–8 weeks for processing.
5
Continue registering as a work-seeker
You must visit your Labour Centre to sign the register every 4 weeks to keep your UIF claim active. Bring your white UIF card each time.
Can't apply online? Visit your nearest Labour Centre with all documents. Find your nearest office at labour.gov.za.
UIF Documents Checklist 2026
These are the documents required to apply for UIF unemployment benefits. Having everything ready before you apply speeds up your claim significantly.
Document
Details
Status
South African ID
Green barcoded ID or smart ID card. Certified copy if in person.
Required
UI-19 Form
Your employer must complete this form when you leave. Ask HR/payroll.
Required
Last 6 Payslips
Used to calculate your average salary for the sliding scale benefit rate.
Required
Proof of Termination
Retrenchment letter, dismissal letter, or contract expiry notice.
Required
Bank Account Details
Account must be in your name. Include bank name, account number, branch code.
Required
Medical Certificate
Only needed for illness or maternity UIF claims.
If applicable
Death Certificate
Only for dependants claiming on behalf of a deceased contributor.
If applicable
💡 Tip: If your employer hasn't given you a UI-19 form, contact the Department of Employment and Labour at 0800 030 007 (toll-free) for assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions - UIF 2026
UIF benefits are calculated on a sliding scale between 38% and 60% of your average salary. Lower-income earners receive a higher percentage. The maximum monthly payout is capped at R17,712 (2026). Use our calculator above to get your personalised estimate based on your exact salary.
You can claim 1 credit day for every 4 days you worked while contributing to UIF, up to a maximum of 238 days (about 8 months of payments). Credit days accumulate over a 4-year period. If you worked 2 years consistently, you'd have approximately 122 credit days available.
UIF payments typically take 4–8 weeks after you submit a complete application with all required documents. You can check your claim status at any time using the uFiling portal or by dialling *134*843# from any phone (no data needed).
No. If you are receiving UIF payments, you do not qualify for the SASSA SRD R370 grant. SASSA's system now syncs regularly with the Department of Labour's UIF database. If SASSA detects you received UIF for a specific month, your SRD grant will be declined for that month.
"No Employee Found" means your employer has not submitted your details to the UIF database. You must contact your employer urgently and ask them to register you and submit your contributions. If they refuse or are unresponsive, contact the Department of Labour on 0800 030 007.
"Sent to Assessor" means your documents have been received and are undergoing final review by a UIF assessor. This is a positive status - your claim is progressing. Processing after this stage typically takes 2–4 weeks. You don't need to do anything; just wait and check regularly.
Generally, no. UIF unemployment benefits are for people who lost their jobs through retrenchment, dismissal, contract expiry, or company closure - not voluntary resignation. Exceptions exist in rare cases involving harassment, unsafe working conditions, or constructive dismissal, but these require strong evidence and legal guidance.
The UIF uses a sliding scale to ensure fairness. Workers earning lower salaries receive a higher percentage (up to 60%) of their salary as a benefit, while higher earners receive a lower percentage (minimum 38%). The formula is: IRR% = 60% − 22% × (monthly salary ÷ R17,712) - sliding from 60% at the lowest incomes down to 38% at the R17,712 ceiling. The daily benefit is capped at R594 regardless of salary.
Ready to claim your UIF?
Apply online at uFiling or visit your nearest Labour Centre. You have up to 6 months from the date you became unemployed to apply.