How much UIF maternity benefit will I get in South Africa?

Your UIF maternity benefit is calculated on a sliding scale between 38% and 60% of your daily salary, for up to 17.32 weeks (121 credit days). Lower earners receive a higher percentage. Use the calculator above for your exact figure.

How long can I claim UIF maternity benefit?

You can claim UIF maternity benefits for up to 17.32 weeks (approximately 4 months or 121 credit days). The actual duration depends on how many credit days you have accumulated - you earn 1 credit day per 4 calendar days worked.

Do I need to have worked a minimum period to claim UIF maternity?

You need at least 13 weeks (91 days) of UIF contributions to qualify for maternity benefits. If you have fewer than 13 weeks of contributions, you will not qualify. Most employees who have worked for at least 3 months will qualify.

UIF Maternity Benefit Calculator South Africa 2026

🤱 UIF Maternity Benefit Calculator

2026 Rates

Monthly Gross Salary (R)

Gross salary before tax deductions. Capped at R17,712 for UIF purposes.

Months Worked / Contributed to UIF

How many months you worked at this job (and contributed to UIF).

Estimated total maternity benefit

Daily Benefit

Weekly Benefit

Replacement Rate

Credit Days Used

Claim Weeks

Monthly Equiv.

38% (high earner)Your rate60% (lower earner)

📋 UIF Maternity Benefit - Eligibility & Key Facts

Requirement	Detail
Who qualifies	Any employee whose employer deducts UIF contributions, including domestic workers
Minimum contributions needed	13 weeks (3 months) of UIF contributions before going on leave
Maximum claim duration	17.32 weeks (approximately 4 months = 121 credit days)
Benefit rate (IRR)	38% to 60% of daily income - same sliding scale as unemployment benefit
Income ceiling	R17,712 per month - salaries above this are capped at this amount for benefit calculation
When to claim	Within 6 months of starting maternity leave - do not wait until after returning to work
Where to claim	Online via uFiling at ufiling.labour.gov.za, or in person at any Labour Centre
Self-employed / freelance	Not eligible - UIF only covers employees whose employers deduct contributions

📄 Documents Needed to Claim UIF Maternity

1

South African ID (green barcoded or smart card)
A certified copy if applying in person at a Labour Centre.
2

UI-19 form completed by your employer
Ask your HR department or employer to complete this before you go on maternity leave. It confirms your salary and contributions.
3

UI-2.3 form (maternity benefit application)
This is the maternity-specific claim form. Available at Labour Centres or download from labour.gov.za.
4

Medical certificate or letter confirming expected due date
From your doctor or midwife. Confirms the pregnancy and expected date of birth.
5

Bank account details in your name
Account number, bank name, and branch code. Must be in your name - no third-party accounts.
6

Last 6 payslips
Used to verify your average salary for the sliding-scale benefit calculation.

💡 UIF Maternity vs Employer Maternity Leave

Important: UIF and employer maternity pay are separate

The BCEA (Basic Conditions of Employment Act) gives you a right to 4 consecutive months of unpaid maternity leave. UIF maternity benefit replaces a portion of your income during this period. If your employer also pays maternity leave salary (some do, especially in the public sector), your UIF benefit may be reduced by the employer payment - this is called "top-up" and the rules vary. Confirm with your employer before claiming.

If your employer does not pay you during maternity leave (most private sector employers), you rely entirely on UIF. That is what this calculator estimates.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Your daily income (salary ÷ 30) is multiplied by your Income Replacement Rate (IRR). The IRR is on a sliding scale from 38% (high earners, salary at R17,712/month) to 60% (lowest earners). This gives you a daily benefit amount, which is then multiplied by the number of credit days you can claim - up to 121 days (17.32 weeks).

Apply as soon as you go on maternity leave - ideally in the week before or the week after your leave starts. You have up to 6 months from the date your leave begins to apply. Do not wait until after your baby is born or until you return to work, as late applications may result in lost payments for months already passed.

No. If you are receiving UIF maternity benefits, you are not eligible for the SASSA SRD R370 grant. SASSA's system checks UIF records monthly and will decline your SRD for any month you received a UIF payment.

Contact your employer or HR department immediately and request the UI-19 form in writing. If they refuse or are unresponsive, contact the Department of Employment and Labour on 0800 030 007 (toll-free) to report the situation and get alternative guidance. You should not be prevented from claiming your UIF benefit by an uncooperative employer.

Yes. The UIF maternity benefit is available if you were pregnant, including in cases of miscarriage or stillbirth after the 6th month of pregnancy. You can claim for the period of leave taken. A medical certificate from your doctor is required in these circumstances.

🔗 Related Calculators & Guides

Written by Paul Geddes ·Updated July 2026

UIF Maternity BenefitCalculator 2026