UIF in plain English
How UIF works in South Africa: 1% each from employee and employer, capped at the R17 712 ceiling, and what you can claim if you lose your job.
Updated By the ZACalc team
Who pays?
The Unemployment Insurance Fund collects 2% of remuneration: 1% from the employee (deducted from your salary) and 1% from the employer. Both contributions are capped at the monthly remuneration ceiling of R 17 712, so the maximum each side contributes is R 177.12 per month.
When you can claim
- Unemployment — retrenched, contract ended, or dismissed (not for misconduct you committed).
- Maternity / parental — up to 17.32 weeks at 66% of normal salary.
- Illness — when you can't work for more than 14 days.
- Adoption / commissioning parent — for the period you're caring for the child.
- Dependants — your spouse or children can claim if you die.
How much you'll get (Income Replacement Rate)
Benefits use a sliding IRR — lower earners get a higher percentage of their salary back. Roughly 38–60%: minimum-wage earners may receive ~60% of salary, while top-of-ceiling earners receive ~38%. Maximum benefit is capped at the R 17 712 ceiling.
Credit days
You earn 1 day of credit for every 4 days worked, up to a maximum of 365 days. So a full year's contributions buys roughly 91 days of benefits. You must claim within 12 months of becoming unemployed.
How to claim
Apply online at ufiling.labour.gov.za, in person at a Labour Centre, or via the uFiling app. You'll need your ID, banking details, UI-19 form from your last employer, and (for unemployment) proof of registration as a work-seeker.