How To Claim For UIF When Going On Maternity Leave

If you're pregnant and preparing for maternity leave, congratulations - here’s to wonderful and exciting times ahead! It’s a transformative time, and while there’s a lot to plan for, your financial security shouldn't be left to chance. If you’re employed in South Africa and contribute to the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), you need to know how to claim for UIF when going on maternity leave. 

This guide, based on advice from other working moms, walks you through who qualifies, how much you can expect to receive, and how to submit your claim with up-to-date information.

Start early: Claiming maternity UIF takes time

During this busy time, it’s easy to put admin to the side, but we strongly recommend starting your UIF maternity claim process before Baby arrives. Many moms find the UIF process frustrating and bureaucratic, and while there’s no shortcut around the system, being prepared can make a big difference.

Applications can take several weeks to process, so the sooner you get your documents ready, the better.

Who can claim maternity UIF?

You must be an employed female contributor to the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) who is going on maternity leave and receiving less than your normal wages during this period.

You must have been contributing to UIF on a monthly basis, which is usually deducted by your employer if you work more than 24 hours a month.

You must be a South African citizen with a 13-digit bar-coded ID book or a non-resident with a valid work permit who has been contributing to UIF.

You can claim for up to 17 weeks (about 4 months) of maternity leave benefits. If you miscarry in the third trimester or have a stillborn child, you can claim for 6 weeks.

Employees who resign while pregnant or during maternity leave can still claim maternity benefits.

Members of close corporations or directors who receive a salary or drawings and have contributed to UIF may also claim.  

Note that you can still claim if you've resigned or your contract has ended as long as you contributed to UIF in the past six months and have credits available.

Who cannot claim UIF maternity benefits? 

Workers who do not have UIF contributions deducted monthly, such as business owners who do not pay UIF or workers employed less than 24 hours a month.

Foreigners on contract without a valid work permit or South African citizenship.

Learners, public servants, workers receiving a monthly state pension, or those earning only commission.

Those who have claimed other benefits (e.g., sickness, retrenchment) from the Department of Labour in the last 4-5 years may be ineligible and should check their UIF status.

Workers suspended from claiming due to fraud or who receive benefits from other unemployment or compensation funds cannot claim maternity UIF.

How Much Will You Receive?

Maternity UIF benefits replace a portion of your lost income, between approximately 38% and 58% of your gross monthly salary. The lower your salary, the higher the replacement percentage.

Note:

• The benefit is capped at a maximum threshold (currently, around R14,872 per month in 2025).
• No tax is deducted from UIF maternity payments.

How long can you claim UIF?

You may claim for up to 121 consecutive days (four months). If you’ve had a miscarriage or stillbirth in your third trimester, you may claim for six weeks. You can only claim for the period you are actually on maternity leave, not before or after.

Required documents for UIF maternity claim

Here’s what you’ll need to gather in order to claim maternity UIF:

Forms to be completed by your employer:

1. UI-19: Includes your termination date (first day of maternity leave). Use code “9”- this code shows that the termination is due to maternity leave.
2. UI-2.7: Employer declaration of salary. Dates must be by calendar month.
3. Salary Schedule: Shows all salary changes from the date of employment to now.
4. Declaration Letter: On company letterhead, signed by your CEO. It must state your employment status, maternity leave dates, and UIF contribution compliance.

Forms to be completed by you:

1. UI-2.3: UIF maternity application form (must be signed by your doctor).
2. UI-2.8: For banking details (must be stamped by your bank).
3. UI-4: Used for follow-up payments (does not need a medical practitioner’s signature).

Supporting documents:

• Certified copy of your ID (back and front if it's the new card).
• Certified copy of baby’s birth certificate (if applying after birth).
• Recent payslip (within the last three months).

Note that certifications can be done by SAPS.

Where and when to apply

You must be on maternity leave before submitting your claim. This can be any time after your maternity leave begins, even before the baby is born.

You must apply within six months of your baby’s birthdate.

There are two ways to apply:

1. In-person: Visit your nearest Department of Labour centre. Take all original and certified documents with you.
2. Online: Use the U-Filing system. This is a convenient option if your documents are ready and your employer is compliant with the requirements.

What Happens Next?

Once your claim is submitted:

• Expect a processing period of 3-8 weeks.
• If successful, funds will be deposited directly into your bank account. Note, that the bank account must be in your name.
• You may be required to submit monthly proof that you are still on maternity leave to continue receiving payments.

Tip: Call the Department of Labour’s UIF helpline after two weeks to follow up: 0800 030 007.

Important to note

Points to keep in mind around maternity UIF:

If you are retrenched or your contract ends while pregnant, advice is to claim maternity UIF first, then unemployment UIF - in that order. Doing it the other way around may block your maternity claim. This order matters because UIF claims are governed by contribution-based credits and claim types. If you claim unemployment UIF first, the system may incorrectly register that you've already drawn on your available credits, making it more difficult—or even impossible—to later access maternity benefits. By starting with your maternity claim, you preserve your eligibility and avoid unnecessary complications during a time when financial support is critical.

If you’ve previously claimed maternity UIF in the last four years, you may still qualify to claim again - provided you have sufficient credits. Your eligibility will depend on whether you and your employer have continued to contribute to the UIF since your last claim. Credits are accumulated based on your employment and UIF contributions, typically one day of credit for every four days worked. So, even if you’ve claimed before, you may still have built up enough new credits to qualify for another round of maternity benefits.

No tax is payable on UIF maternity benefits.

Be patient and persistent

The UIF process can feel slow-moving and time-consuming, with delays common even when all documents are submitted timeously and correctly. 

Keep a record of all correspondence, reference numbers, and dates, and don’t hesitate to escalate your query if weeks go by without an update. 

Claiming UIF maternity benefits is your right, and with preparation, patience and persistence, you can ensure that this support reaches you when you need it most.

At RecruitMyMom, we understand the value of every stage in your working motherhood journey. Whether you’re preparing for maternity leave or planning your return to work, we’re here to support you with various career opportunities and expert guidance.

Join our community of skilled professional moms. We’ve got your back. Register with us here.

Disclaimer: This guide is intended for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. For official forms and updates, please visit the Department of Labour’s website or contact your nearest labour centre.