South African workers must now use UIF Online when submitting new applications for Unemployment Insurance Fund benefits.
The employee-claims section of the old uFiling platform officially closed on 20 May 2026. New employee benefit claims are no longer processed through the legacy claims system.
Workers applying for unemployment, maternity, illness and other supported UIF benefits should use the new official portal:
UIF Online: https://uifonline.labour.gov.za/uifOnline/
Employers must continue using uFiling for registration, employee declarations and monthly contribution payments until those services are fully migrated.
Quick Answer
New employee claims portal: UIF Online
Old employee claims portal: Closed for new claims
Employee claims closure date: 20 May 2026
Employer portal: uFiling remains temporarily operational
EDUCATION
UIF Online Claims: How to Apply After the uFiling Change
Aug 5, 2026
Aug 5, 2026
17 min read
Published
Updated:
South African workers must now use UIF Online when submitting new applications for Unemployment Insurance Fund benefits.
The employee-claims section of the old uFiling platform officially closed on 20 May 2026. New employee benefit claims are no longer processed through the legacy claims system.
Workers applying for unemployment, maternity, illness and other supported UIF benefits should use the new official portal:
UIF Online: https://uifonline.labour.gov.za/uifOnline/
Employers must continue using uFiling for registration, employee declarations and monthly contribution payments until those services are fully migrated.
Quick Answer
New employee claims portal: UIF Online
Old employee claims portal: Closed for new claims
Employee claims closure date: 20 May 2026
Employer portal: uFiling remains temporarily operational
Employer services: Registration, declarations and contribution payments
Migration status: Employer services were scheduled to move during August 2026
Application cost: Free
UIF contact number: 08000 30007
Call-centre hours: 07:30–16:00, Monday to Friday
Official claims link: https://uifonline.labour.gov.za/uifOnline/
What Changed?
The UIF previously used uFiling for both employee claims and employer services.
That system is now being separated during a phased migration:
Employees: New benefit claims must be submitted through UIF Online.
Employers: Registration, declarations and monthly contribution payments remain temporarily available through uFiling.
Final migration: Employer services were expected to move to the upgraded platform during August 2026.
The UIF says applications that were previously submitted through uFiling were not lost. Earlier applications are being analysed, checked and migrated into the new system.
Workers should not submit a duplicate application simply because a previous claim does not immediately appear on the new portal. They should contact the UIF first.
Which Benefits Can Be Claimed?
UIF provides short-term financial support to qualifying contributors and their dependants.
Available benefit categories include:
Unemployment benefits
Reduced-work-time benefits
Maternity benefits
Illness benefits
Adoption benefits
Parental benefits
Dependants’ benefits following the death of a contributor
The exact options visible to an applicant may depend on the answers entered during the UIF Online application process.
The official portal includes a screening process before the applicant continues to the relevant benefit form.
Who Should Use UIF Online?
UIF Online is intended for workers or qualifying dependants submitting a new benefit application.
This includes:
Workers who have lost their jobs
Employees whose working hours or income have been reduced
Employees taking maternity leave
Workers unable to work because of illness
Adoptive parents
Parents applying for parental benefits
Qualifying dependants of a deceased contributor
A person must meet the UIF’s legal and contribution requirements. Registering online does not automatically mean the claim will be approved.
What Applicants Need to Register
The UIF Online registration page asks an individual to provide:
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South African identity number
First name and surname
Active cellphone number
Email address
Applicants should use their own contact details and ensure that the information matches official identity records.
The registration page is available here:
https://uifonline.labour.gov.za/uifOnline/registration
Keep the username and password secure. Do not pay another person to create an account.
Documents to Prepare
The exact documents depend on the benefit being claimed and the information already declared by the employer.
Applicants should prepare clear digital copies of all documents requested by UIF Online.
Unemployment Claims
The current unemployment application process may request:
Identity information
Contact and residential details
Employment and termination information
UI-19 employee declaration
Salary schedule
Banking information
Work-seeker registration information
Details showing that the applicant is capable of and available for work
The portal specifically asks whether the applicant is submitting the UI-19 and salary schedule with the application.
Maternity Claims
Applicants may be asked to prepare:
Identity information
Employer and employment details
Banking information
Maternity-benefit application information
Proof or confirmation relating to the pregnancy or birth
Employer salary and leave information
Any continuation-of-payment documents later requested
The system may first ask whether the applicant has been pregnant during the previous 12 months.
Illness Claims
Applicants may need:
Identity information
Employer and salary details
Banking information
Medical information or certification
Dates on which the applicant was unable to work
Employer declarations
Continuation-of-payment documents where applicable
Dependants’ Claims
The surviving spouse or another qualifying dependant may be asked for:
Identity documents
Death certificate
Proof of relationship to the deceased contributor
Marriage, birth or guardianship documents where relevant
Banking information
Employer and contribution records
Additional declarations required by the UIF
The Department of Employment and Labour publishes official UIF forms, including unemployment, maternity, illness, parental, adoption and dependants’ benefit forms:
https://www.labour.gov.za/DocumentCenter/Pages/Forms.aspx
Applicants should follow the current UIF Online instructions rather than uploading every available form without being asked.
How to Submit a UIF Claim Online
Step 1: Open UIF Online
Go to:
https://uifonline.labour.gov.za/uifOnline/
Check that the address ends in labour.gov.za. Avoid links circulated by unknown social-media accounts.
Step 2: Register or Log In
New applicants should select the registration option and enter their identity and contact information.
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Returning users can log in with their existing UIF Online credentials.
A password-recovery option is available on the official login page.
Step 3: Complete the Screening Questions
The portal may ask questions that identify the appropriate benefit category.
Answer truthfully. Incorrect answers may direct the application to the wrong benefit process or delay verification.
Step 4: Complete the Application
Enter the requested:
Personal details
Contact information
Residential address
Employment history
Reason employment stopped or income was reduced
Employer information
Banking details
Benefit-specific information
Upload supporting documents when requested.
Step 5: Review and Submit
Check names, identity numbers, dates, employer details and bank information before submission.
Save the reference number and take a screenshot of the confirmation page.
Do not submit the same claim several times unless the UIF instructs you to do so.
How to Follow Up on a Claim
Applicants should first log back into UIF Online and check whether the system displays a claim status, document request or further action.
Keep the following information ready when contacting the UIF:
South African identity number
Claim reference number
Benefit type
Date of submission
Employer name
Copies of documents already uploaded
Screenshots of errors or status messages
For assistance, contact the UIF call centre on 08000 30007.
The official uFiling site lists call-centre operating hours as 07:30–16:00 on weekdays.
What Employers Must Do
The employer section of uFiling remains temporarily available during the migration.
Employers should continue using it for:
Employer registration
Employee declarations
Monthly UIF contribution submissions
Contribution payments
Updating employee and salary information
Checking whether declarations are up to date
Employer uFiling portal: https://ufiling.labour.gov.za/
The service is free.
Employers should not tell workers to submit new employee claims through the old uFiling claims section.
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Employer Declaration Problems
A worker’s claim can be delayed when the employer’s information is missing, incorrect or outdated.
Common problems may include:
The employer did not submit a UI-19.
The termination date is incorrect.
Salary information is missing.
The employee is not visible in UIF records.
Monthly declarations were not submitted.
The employer’s UIF reference details are incorrect.
The reason for termination does not match the employee’s application.
Workers should ask the former employer to confirm that all declarations and termination details were submitted correctly.
Where the employer refuses to cooperate or no longer exists, the claimant should contact the UIF or visit a labour centre for guidance.
What About Claims Submitted Before the Change?
The Department of Employment and Labour says applications submitted through the old employee portal were stored and were not lost.
Those applications are being verified and migrated to the new platform.
Applicants with an older claim should:
Keep the original reference number.
Check UIF Online for available status information.
Avoid creating a duplicate application without instruction.
Contact the UIF when the earlier claim cannot be found.
Retain proof of the original submission and uploaded documents.
Can Applicants Still Visit a Labour Centre?
Applicants who cannot use the online service should contact the UIF or visit an official labour centre for assistance.
Take identity documents, employer information, bank details and any benefit-specific supporting documents.
Use the Department of Employment and Labour’s official contact and office information. Do not hand documents to an unofficial “agent” outside a labour centre.
Is There an Application Fee?
No. UIF Online and uFiling are official free services.
XTRAfrica verification warning: Never pay anyone to submit, approve or accelerate a UIF claim. No person can guarantee approval or payment in exchange for money.
Report suspicious payment requests and use only official government platforms.
Important Difference Between the Two Portals
User | Correct service during the transition |
Worker submitting a new UIF benefit claim | UIF Online |
Worker checking or continuing a new online claim | UIF Online |
Employer registering for UIF | uFiling temporarily |
Employer submitting employee declarations | uFiling temporarily |
Employer paying monthly contributions | uFiling temporarily |
The employer side was scheduled for further migration during August 2026. Employers should check the official notices before every major submission.
Official Links
UIF Online homepage: https://uifonline.labour.gov.za/uifOnline/
UIF Online registration: https://uifonline.labour.gov.za/uifOnline/registration
UIF Online login: https://uifonline.labour.gov.za/uifOnline/loginJsp
Employer uFiling portal: https://ufiling.labour.gov.za/
Official UIF forms: https://www.labour.gov.za/DocumentCenter/Pages/Forms.aspx
Department online services: https://www.labour.gov.za/online-tools
UIF call centre: 08000 30007
Verification
Official authority: Unemployment Insurance Fund and Department of Employment and Labour
System change: New employee benefit claims moved from uFiling to UIF Online
Legacy employee portal closure: 20 May 2026
Employer services: Temporarily remain on uFiling
Employer migration target: August 2026
Date checked: 5 August 2026
UIF Online status: Active
uFiling employer portal status: Active during the transition
Verification status: Confirmed
Official claims link: https://uifonline.labour.gov.za/uifOnline/
XTRAfrica is not affiliated with the Unemployment Insurance Fund or the Department of Employment and Labour. Applicants and employers should rely on official platforms for final requirements, system notices and claim updates.
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