With retrenchments a common occurrence these days, it’s worth checking up on your employer to make sure that you are not left without help if you are retrenched and cannot find work. Is your employer paying over the money they deduct from your pay every month to the UIF? Are you registered for UIF at all? Scorpion Legal Protection shows you how to check.
First, it’s important to note that not everyone qualifies for UIF. You can only claim UIF benefits if you contributed to the Fund while you worked – which is why employers not paying the money over is such a devastating problem. UIF is also only for those who were retrenched or dismissed through no fault of their own. You cannot claim UIF if you have resigned, been suspended or absconded from work.
To qualify for benefits, you must register on the UIF website (some DOL centres may still use physical forms that you can get at their offices). You must apply for the UIF benefits within 12 months of the termination of your employment.
How can I check if I am registered for UIF?
To check online:
- Go to ufiling.labour.gov.za
- Click on register
- Depending on if you chose email or SMS, follow the instructions they send you
- Answer the UIF verification questions. These are to make sure you are who you say you are
- Fill in the personal details they ask you for
- Log in to the UIF website using the details you just set up
- Once your profile is active, go to the ‘Employment’ tab and click on ‘View My UIF contributions’.
- Click on the button that says ‘Get Declarations’. This will open a new screen with many months listed. It will not show the exact amount that was contributed. Under each month there should be information about your pay for that month listed in green. This means that the employer is paying over your UIF deductions. If the information is grey, it means that the information is still pending and you will have to wait and check back later to get confirmation. If it says ‘No Information’ in red under the month, then it means your employer did not pay over your UIF contribution for that month.
You can also visit your nearest Labour Department office in person. The clerk should ask for your ID number and UIF registration number. If you don’t know your UIF number you can ask for assistance here. They will be able to check whether or not you are registered for UIF and if your employer has been paying over your contributions.
If you find that your employer has not registered you with the UIF, you must report your employer to the Department of Labour. You don’t have to do this in person, you can contact them on their website or speak to them over the phone by calling 080 003 0007.
You may also be interested in:
5 must-know retrenchment facts
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*This is only basic legal advice and cannot be relied on solely. The information is correct at the time of being sent to publishing.