About applying to claim dependants’ benefits
If you are a spouse, a life partner, guardian or child of a deceased contributor to the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), you can claim the dependant’s benefits from the UIF by applying at your nearest labour centre.
To qualify, you must apply within six months of the death of the contributor. Dependant children under the age of 21 years are entitled to benefits if there is no surviving spouse or life partner.
If you, as a surviving spouse, do not make an application within six months, then a dependant child can apply for the benefits, provided that the application is made within 14 days after the six months has expired.
The benefits are paid up to a maximum of 238 days in any period of four years.
If the deceased was contributing to the UIF monthly, the benefits will be calculated by multiplying monthly remuneration by 12 and dividing it by 365. If the deceased was contributing weekly, the benefits will be calculated by multiplying weekly remuneration by 52 and dividing it by 365.
Note: The payment that you will receive is a lump sum and is equal to the unemployment benefits that would have been paid if the person was still alive.