Tag Archives: uif payment queries

All To Know About Ufiling

Check UIF Status

What is the Unemployment Insurance Fund? The fund offers short-term financial assistance to workers when they become unemployed or are unable to work because of illness, maternity or adoption leave. The fund also assists the dependants of a contributing worker who has died.

The Unemployment Insurance Act and Unemployment Insurance Contributions Act apply to all employers and workers, but not to:

  • those working less than 24 hours a month for an employer
  • learners
  • public servants
  • foreigners working on contract
  • workers who get a government old age pension
  • workers who only earn commission

Domestic employers and their workers are included under the Act since 1 April 2003.

Workers pay 1% of their salaries every month. Their employers contribute a further 1%.

It is the employer’s responsibility to deduct the worker’s contribution from their salary (excluding commission earnings) and pay it to the fund along with their contribution.

The employer is also responsible for making sure that all employees are registered with the UIF. If an employee has been registered and the contributions are paid, then that employee will be able to claim from the fund. The employee does not need a card or any other proof that they have contributed to the UIF.




Foreigners who are permanent workers qualify for UIF, and employers must also register foreigners with the fund.

Common user problems on ufiling

Check UIF Status

What is the maximum UIF payment?

UIF is calculated as 2% of an employee’s remuneration for UIF purposes, split evenly between the employee and employer, i.e. 1% contributed by the employee and 1% contributed by the employer. 

Remuneration for UIF purposes is the employee’s remuneration, less certain exclusions such as commission, and is subject to a monthly income cap of R14 872. The maximum UIF contribution for each party is, therefore, R148.72 a month (R297.44 in total). For employees who are paid at more regular intervals (e.g. weekly), this cap will be apportioned across their pay periods – this may lead to slightly lower UIF contributions in the last pay period of the month.

The total UIF contribution (employee + employer) must be paid monthly based on the amounts contained in the EMP201 and UI-19.

More Information on UIF