UIF Guide

How Do I Check the Status of my Maternity Benefit Application?

Published

8 months ago

January 14, 2024

How Do I Check the Status of my Maternity Benefit application? Are you a new mother waiting to hear from maternity UIF? Well, you have come to the right place. UIF application processes can take a while, but you can check the status of your application at any time. It is possible for employed women in South Africa to claim maternity benefits after contributing to the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF).

Parents are under a lot of stress and responsibilities, so financial stress shouldn’t be a threat. UIF offers maternity benefits to help new parents when they are on maternity leave financially. It is possible to apply for maternity UIF if you are receiving less than your normal salary during your maternity leave.

Read Also: UIF Login

How Much Maternity Pay will you Get?

If you are a regular contributor to UIF for the past four years, you will get about 38% to 58% of your salary when you are on maternity leave. In addition, you will not be eligible to apply for this fund if you are receiving full salary from your employer. UFI can only pay you a maximum of R12478 as maternity UIF. The amount will be divided and given to you as a salary for four months.

UIF will pay up to six weeks of compensation to people who have stillbirths or miscarriages. Additionally, it will be equal to or greater than a normal salary if you make R3000 a month.

How to Check Maternity UIF Claim Status?

Several ways are available to check your maternity UIF claim status. As the application process takes a while, it is better to keep track of your application and check the status. I will explain each method.

How to Check Maternity UIF Claim Status online?

The easiest way to check your maternity UIF status is to check it online through their official website. The convenience of this option is that you can do it anywhere and anytime. There is no need for you to visit their office or speak to them personally. You will just need a device like a mobile phone, tablet, or laptop and a stable internet connection in order to check your maternity UIF.

Visit the UIF official website by clicking ufiling.labour.gov.za/uif/.
Log into your Ufiling account next.
Click on the ‘Check my balance’ option.
Follow the prompt as it appears to proceed.
On your screen, you will see a captcha number. Type it into the box and press Enter.
It will then ask for your eight-digit unemployment insurance funds (UIF) reference number.
Lastly, you can check the status of your maternity UIF claim after entering your UIF number.

How to Check Maternity UIF Claim Status through Email?

You can check your UIF status through email. You can send an email to [email protected] asking about the status of your claim. Please include the following information as part of your email.

Identification and your name.
Registration number for UIF.
Number of identity document.

How to Check Maternity UIF Claim Status by Visiting Labor Offices?

For those who do not have access to the internet or prefer to do things offline, you can visit the UIF labor offices. You will be given all the necessary information by the labor office officials. For security reasons, they will require you to sign the register and provide the following information.

Number of identity document.
Number of the UIF.

You can contact them to learn about the status of your claim, when it will be activated, and when you can expect your first payment. However, they are not open 24/7, which is one of the disadvantages to the offline traditional method.

How to Check Maternity UIF Claim Status through USSD Code?

There is no need for an internet connection, but you must have an active cellular network. Therefore, you can call the UIF office at 012 337 1997 and ask for the information.

As of August 2019, the South African Department of Employment and Labor has introduced a new option for maternity UIF applicants. Initially, this option was given to stop people from queuing up for their UIF status at the offices. In order to view your UIF status on your phone, you must dial 134843# on your phone and follow the prompts. Finally, you will see your UIF status.

It is important to remember that your call will only be answered on weekdays, and you are able to reach them between 730 and 1600 p.m. Additionally, you must have your identity document number and UFI registration number near you as they will ask for your information for safety reasons.

How Long does Maternity UIF Take to Pay Applicants?

You will receive UIF benefits only if you are proven to be on maternity leave. It takes approximately three to six weeks for UIF to accept your application and make your first payment. As a result, applicants should apply as soon as possible and don’t waste time, as it may take longer for UIF to pay them.

For your funds to start quickly, you must provide all of your employment records. Furthermore, missing or incorrect records will delay payment and you will have to correct your records eventually. Therefore, you should provide them with all of your documentation and records.

You may contact UIF’s offices if you have not heard from them within eight weeks of your application. Initially, UIF will make a small payment into your account. To continue receiving further benefits, you must submit a U-14 form for that payment. In addition, they will decide whether to pay you the full balance at once or in four installments.

UIF Claim Approval Notification

Upon acceptance of your application, UIF will send you a message via SMS or email. Moreover, you will be able to receive your first payment within four days after your application is approved. You can choose the medium of communication during the application process.

If your application has been approved, you will receive a slip as evidence of the approval from the labor office.

UIF Maternity Benefits

An employee who contributes to the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) can receive maternity benefits for up to four months or 121 consecutive days if he or she is a UIF member. The department of labor checks your working days, and usually if you have worked for the past four years, they will pay you for your normal maternity leave.

It will be impossible for you to get benefits for up to four months if you do not have credit days of four months. You will also receive one month’s benefit for every six months. However, it cannot exceed four months. If you extend your maternity leave, you will not receive any additional benefits.

Maternity UIF Benefits for Foreigners

UIF maternity benefits were previously not available to foreigners. The conditions for maternity UIF benefits remain the same; you must be a regular contributor to the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) and possess a valid work permit. Furthermore, if you are not a South African, your application could take longer than others.

How will you receive the Maternity UIF payments?

You will be asked for your banking information when you apply for maternity UIF benefits. The department will register these details in their system, and you can receive the funds directly in your account.

Read Also: UIF Status Check

FAQs

Q1) Can I claim maternity UIF if I am getting 100% of my salary?

Ans:- If you are receiving a percentage of your salary while on maternity leave, you can claim the rest from UIF.

Q2) When should I submit my application to maternity UIF?

Ans:- In accordance with the UIF policy, you may apply once your maternity leave starts or when you are not receiving your full salary. However, the departments cannot apply at this time.

Q3) Can I use someone else’s bank account to receive maternity UIF payments?

Ans:- UIF will not pay you if you use someone else’s account. If you use someone else’s account, you won’t get paid.

Q4) Can I get UIF maternity benefits even if I have claimed it in the last four years?

Ans:- However, if you have received sick or unemployment benefits within the last four years, you might not be able to apply for maternity benefits.

Conclusion

A maternity UIF benefit can greatly assist new parents who are also regular contributors to the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF). They can claim maternity UIF if they have contributed for the past four years.

UIF benefits will be available to applicants throughout their maternity leave for up to four months. You can check your UIF status online, by phone, or in person at the labor office.

UIF Guide

Teboho Maruping – UIF Must Serve Unemployed And Poor Not Corrupt

Published

1 day ago

September 15, 2024

UIF Login

Teboho Maruping - UIF Must Serve Unemployed And Poor Not Corrupt

UIF Must Serve Unemployed And Poor Not Corrupt. The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has been a cornerstone of financial relief for unemployed South Africans, designed to provide temporary assistance to individuals and families facing economic hardship. However, recent revelations surrounding the UIF commissioner, Teboho Maruping, have cast a shadow over the institution’s role in supporting the vulnerable.

Suspended amid corruption allegations, Maruping’s case has reignited calls for the UIF to focus on its true mission—serving the unemployed and the poor—rather than being tainted by corrupt practices. As investigations into the R5 billion scandal unfold, the future of the UIF’s leadership and integrity remains a topic of national concern.

The Suspension of Teboho Maruping

On 29 November 2023, Teboho Maruping, who was serving as the commissioner of the UIF, addressed a gathering at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park. The occasion marked the launch of digital platforms aimed at recovering funds from the Covid-19 Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (TERS), part of the “Follow the Money” project.

However, just days later, Maruping was placed on precautionary suspension amid allegations of corruption. The scandal centers around an alleged R5-billion jobs programme, with accusations that Maruping overruled an internal adjudicating committee to recommend that Thuja Capital be awarded funds for managing the scheme. In May, the Pretoria High Court declared the agreement invalid, setting aside the deal.

Corruption Within Government Entities

The suspension of Teboho Maruping has been met with strong reactions across the political spectrum, none more so than from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). The party welcomed the suspension as a long-overdue move but also highlighted the deeper issue of corruption within government entities, stating that Maruping’s case is just the tip of the iceberg.

The EFF released a statement emphasizing that, while the suspension might appear to be a step in the right direction, it also serves as a reminder of how deeply entrenched corruption has become in government processes. The party noted that instances of corruption, particularly involving public resources meant for the poor, undermine the very foundations of the UIF’s mandate.

“While the suspension of Maruping may seem like a step towards justice, it is also a glaring reminder of how deeply entrenched corruption has become in government processes,” the EFF said in its statement.

Skepticism About Real Accountability

Despite the UIF commissioner’s suspension, there remains widespread skepticism about whether real accountability will follow. The EFF voiced concerns that this might simply be another case where an official implicated in criminal acts is temporarily removed from their position, only to be quietly reinstated once the public outrage subsides.

The party also called for more thorough investigations, noting that the suspension of one individual should not signal the end of the matter. They urged that all individuals involved, including higher-ranking officials, be held accountable for their roles in misusing public resources.

“The suspension of Maruping should not be the end of this matter. There must be a thorough investigation, and all those involved, including higher-ranking officials, must be prosecuted for their role in this egregious misuse of public resources,” the EFF stated.

The UIF Purpose: Financial Relief for the Vulnerable

At its core, the UIF was established to provide financial relief to unemployed workers and their families, serving as a lifeline for those unable to work due to illness, maternity, or other qualifying circumstances. However, the recent scandals have left many questioning whether the fund still serves its original purpose.

The EFF stressed that the UIF is meant to support the most vulnerable South Africans, not enrich the already powerful elite. They pointed out that billions of rands intended for alleviating unemployment and poverty have been misused, benefiting only a connected few while millions continue to suffer under the weight of economic hardship.

“Urgent reforms are required within the UIF to ensure that it serves the people rather than the corrupt elite. It is unacceptable that billions meant to tackle unemployment and poverty are siphoned off into dubious schemes that benefit the connected few, while ordinary South Africans continue to suffer,” the EFF continued.

Minister of Employment and Labour Responds

Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth, has assured the public that Maruping’s disciplinary process will be resolved swiftly. She also reaffirmed the UIF’s core mission, noting that the suspension provides an opportunity for the fund’s administration to refocus on its mandate.

Meth emphasized the importance of the UIF in providing short-term relief to workers who are unemployed or unable to work due to illness, maternity, or adoption. She also highlighted the fund’s role in supporting dependents of deceased contributors, ensuring that the fund continues to provide a safety net for families in their most vulnerable moments.

“Allowing the administration an opportunity to pay undivided attention to the primary mandate of the UIF: of providing short-term relief to workers who find themselves unemployed or unable to work due to illness, maternity, or adoption, including to the dependents of the deceased contributors,” Meth said.

The EFF Call for Reforms

The EFF is now calling for significant reforms within the UIF to prevent further corruption and ensure that the fund fulfills its mission of serving the unemployed and the poor. The party vowed to use its parliamentary powers to push for investigations and demand greater accountability from those managing the fund.

Their call for urgent reforms reflects the broader sentiment among South Africans who have grown frustrated with government inefficiencies and the apparent impunity of corrupt officials. For many, the UIF represents more than just a financial support system—it’s a symbol of hope for a better future, one that is increasingly being undermined by corruption.

Conclusion

The suspension of UIF commissioner Teboho Maruping is a stark reminder of the challenges facing government institutions in South Africa. While the suspension may offer a glimmer of hope for justice, the road ahead remains uncertain. It is essential that this case leads to real investigations, prosecutions, and reforms, ensuring that the UIF remains a resource for the unemployed and the poor, not a tool for corruption.