About applying for maternity benefits

As an employed female contributor to the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), you can apply for maternity benefits when you get pregnant and go on maternity leave. To qualify for the benefits, you must be receiving less than your normal remuneration (salary / wages) while you are on maternity leave. You will not qualify if you are still receiving your full remuneration while on leave.

You must apply immediately at the commencement of your maternity leave or alternatively within six months of the birth of your child.

Subject to the credit days you have accumulated, your benefits can be paid out to a maximum of 121 days. 

If you get a miscarriage or still birth, you will only be paid for a maximum of six weeks. The benefits, once the claim has been approved, will be paid into the nominated bank account benefits.

What you should do

• Lodge an application as soon as your maternity leave commences and ask your employer to forward a declaration in the form of a UI-19 or electronic declaration directly to the UIF confirming your employment details as well as the details pertaining to your maternity leave.
• Visit your nearest labour centre.
• Complete application forms. 
• Submit:
• your identity document or passport (no other form of identification will be considered)
• medical certificate confirming your pregnancy or birth of child. 
• The claims officer will investigate your application and, if necessary, request further information regarding your continued unemployment.
• If the claims officer is satisfied with your application he will:
• approve your application
• determine the amount of benefits you will get
• authorise the payment of the benefits, and 
• stipulate how the benefits will be paid.
  

• If the application does not comply with the requirements, the claims officer must advise you in writing that your application is defective and of the reasons why it is defective.

Note: Remember to give the correct banking details confirmed by your bank.

Timeframe

Once it has received all relevant documentation, the UIF promises to process or finalise your claim within five weeks.

How much does it cost

The service is free.

Forms to complete

(Forms are provided in PDF format. To open PDF documents, you need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader 4 or higher installed on your computer.)

• Application for maternity benefits: ID: UI-2.3  
• Application to pay UIF benefits into banking account: ID: UI-2.8  
• Remuneration received by the employee whilst still in employment: ID: UI-2.7  
• Application for continuation of payment for maternity benefits: ID: UI-4  
• Information of Employee, UI.19

Who to contact