You claim UIF through UIF Online at uifonline.labour.gov.za, not through uFiling. uFiling stopped taking employee benefit claims on 20 May 2026, though the site is still live and still accepts applications that go nowhere. On UIF Online you register or log in, pick your benefit type, upload your ID, UI-19 form and banking details, then submit. Claiming is free. You have six months from your last day of work to apply, and once you’re approved you must sign in and confirm your details every month, or your payments stop.
What do you need before you start?
Get these ready before you open the site. Missing documents are the biggest reason claims stall.
- Your 13-digit South African ID number, or your passport and permit details if you’re a documented foreign worker who paid UIF.
- A signed UI-19 form from your last employer. This confirms your last day of work and the reason your job ended.
- Your banking details, in your own name. Have your account number and branch code ready.
- A cellphone number and email address you check often. UIF Online sends your reference number and claim updates this way.
- Proof that you’re registered as a work seeker with the Department of Employment and Labour. If you haven’t done this, UIF Online prompts you to register as part of the claim.
How to claim UIF Online, step by step
Step 1: Go to the correct website
Type uifonline.labour.gov.za into your browser. Do not search for “UIF claim” and click the first result. Several outdated pages, including the old uFiling claims section, still rank high in search and still accept submissions that are never processed. UIF Online has processed claims since April 2025. The May 2026 shutdown closed the last door back to the old system.
Step 2: Register, or log in if you’ve used it before
New users click Register. Returning users click Login and enter their ID number and password.
Step 3: Confirm whether you have a UIF reference number
You’ll be asked whether you already have a UIF reference number.
If yes, enter it and continue.
If no, the system checks your ID against the declarations your last employer submitted to UIF. This only works if your employer registered you and declared your earnings. If this check fails, that’s usually the reason, an employer who never declared you, rather than a mistake on your side.
Step 4: Choose your benefit type
Select the benefit that matches your situation: unemployment, maternity, illness, adoption, or dependants. Each has its own qualifying rules, and picking the wrong one will delay your claim.
Step 5: Fill in your employment and termination details
Enter your last employer’s details, your start and end dates, and the reason your job ended. Retrenchment, dismissal and contract expiry generally qualify. Resigning voluntarily generally does not, unless the CCMA agrees you were forced to resign. This is called constructive dismissal.
Step 6: Upload your documents
Upload clear scans or photos of your ID, your signed UI-19, and your banking proof. Blurry or cropped documents are a common reason claims get sent back.
Step 7: Submit and record your reference number
Once you submit, UIF Online gives you a reference number. Write it down or screenshot it. You’ll need it for every call, email or follow-up.
Step 8: Register as a work seeker
If you haven’t already, complete this step. It’s compulsory for unemployment benefits and confirms you’re actively looking for work.
Step 9: Sign for continuation, every month
This is the step people forget, and it’s the one that stops payments. Once your claim is approved, you must log back in and confirm every month that you’re still unemployed and still looking for work. Miss a month, and your payments pause until you sign again.
How much does it cost to claim UIF?
Claiming UIF is free. You do not pay UIF Online, the Department of Employment and Labour, or a Labour Centre to submit or process your claim. The self-service design of UIF Online was introduced partly to remove the need for paid third-party agents who used to charge desperate claimants to “help” with applications. If anyone asks you for money to submit or speed up a UIF claim, treat that as a warning sign.
How long do you have to apply, and how long do payments last?
You must apply within six months of your last day of work. Miss that window and you generally lose the claim, so apply as soon as you stop working rather than waiting to see if a new job comes through.
Once approved, how long you get paid depends on your credit days. You earn one day of credit for every four days you worked while contributing to UIF, up to a maximum of 365 days. To bank the full 365, you need roughly four years of continuous contributions. Your payout is worked out on a sliding scale of 38% to 60% of your salary, capped at R17 712 a month, with lower earners getting the higher percentage. For the full formula and worked examples, see our guide to how much UIF pays out.
What if UIF Online doesn’t work?
You applied on the old uFiling site. If you submitted through ufiling.labour.gov.za after 20 May 2026, your application was not processed. Go to uifonline.labour.gov.za and apply again. See our full guide on the uFiling shutdown for what to do if this happened to you.
Your ID check fails during registration. This usually means your former employer never registered you or never sent your final declaration to UIF. Contact your former employer’s HR or payroll department first. If they won’t help, or the company has closed, your nearest Labour Centre can assist directly.
The site is slow or won’t load. Government portals get overloaded, especially early in the month. Try again later, or use the USSD option: dial 134843# on any phone, free of charge, for claim status, payment status and continuation of payment.
You’re stuck and need a person. Call the UIF Call Centre on 0800 030 007, weekdays from 07:30 to 16:00. Or visit your nearest Labour Centre in person and take your ID, UI-19 and proof of banking with you.
Frequently asked questions
Is uFiling still used for UIF claims in 2026?
No, not for employee benefit claims. The Department of Employment and Labour closed uFiling’s employee claims section on 20 May 2026. uFiling still handles employer declarations and contributions, but you claim your own benefits through UIF Online.
Do I need a UIF reference number to register?
No. If you don’t have one, UIF Online checks your ID against your employer’s declarations to create your profile.
How much does it cost to claim UIF?
Nothing. UIF claims are free at every stage, and no official channel will ask you to pay to submit or speed up your application.
Can I claim UIF if I resigned?
Generally no. UIF unemployment benefits are for retrenchment, dismissal and contracts that end, not voluntary resignation. There are exceptions, which we cover in our full guide on who qualifies for UIF.
How long does it take to get paid?
It varies a great deal, from a couple of weeks to several months, depending on whether your employer’s records are up to date and how busy the system is. We break down realistic timelines, and what to do if yours is stuck, in our guide on UIF payment timelines.
This is general information, not legal or financial advice. If your claim involves a dispute about why your job ended, or your employer won’t cooperate, speak to your nearest Labour Centre, a trade union, or a labour lawyer.
Last checked: July 2026.