UIF Illness Benefits

Workers who become ill have the right to claim from the UIF. Workers (or their representatives) must apply and collect payments at the labour centre of their choice.

Application

The Unemployment Insurance Act and Unemployment Insurance Contributions Act apply to all employers and workers, but not to -

• workers working less than 24 hours a month for an employer;
• learners;
• public servants;
• foreigners working on contract;
• workers who get a monthly State (old age) pension; or
• workers who only earn commission.

Domestic employers and their workers are included under the Act since 1 April 2003.

Claiming

Who can claim?

You cannot claim if you –

• get benefits from –
  • the Compensation Fund; or
  • an unemployment fund under the Labour Relations Act;
• get Unemployment Benefits from the UIF;
• have been suspended from claiming because of fraud;
• are ill for less than 14 days; or
• refuse medical treatment.

You can claim only if you are unable to work because of your illness.  Based on legislation in Section 14, Section 20, Section 36, of the Unemployment Insurance Act

When must I claim?

You must claim within 6 months of becoming ill. Based on Legislation in Section 22 of the Unemployment Insurance Act

How long can I claim for?

You can claim from the day you stop working until your benefits are used up or you go back to work. Based on Legislation in Section 19, of the Unemployment Insurance Act

How do I claim?

You must fill in the application forms and hand them in, together with other required documents, at a labour centre. If you are too ill, someone else may fill in the forms and hand them in for you.

Benefit Payments:

How will I be paid?

Benefit payments can be paid into your bank account or collected from a labour centre of your choice.  If you are too ill to collect payments yourself, someone else may collect the money for you.

Based on legislation in Section 23, of the Unemployment Insurance Act

Tax

No tax is payable on the benefits. Based on Legislation in Section 34 of the Unemployment Insurance Act

Overpayments

If you get more money than you should, you must pay back the extra money. Based on Legislation in Section 35, of the Unemployment Insurance Act

Information provided by The Department of Labour. For more information visit www.labour.gov.za