Izikhokelo ze-UIF

I Was Fired or Retrenched — What to Do Right Now

Losing your job is stressful. But you have rights, and there is money you can claim. This guide tells you exactly what to do in your first week — step by step.

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The most important thing: Register for UIF within 6 months of losing your job. If you wait too long, you lose that money forever.

Your first week — what to do

Get your UI-19 form from your employer

Your employer is required by law to give you this form when you leave. It shows your salary, how long you worked there, and the reason you left. The reason code matters: 04 = dismissed, 11 = retrenched. If you were retrenched, you get more UIF days than if you resigned.

Collect your payslips for the last 3 months

You will need these for your UIF claim. If your employer refuses to give them, they are breaking the law — report them to the Department of Labour on 0800 030 007.

Check if you qualify for SASSA SRD

If you have no income at all, you can apply for the SASSA SRD R370 grant immediately at srd.sassa.gov.za. You cannot receive both SRD and UIF at the same time — but apply for SRD first while your UIF claim processes, then stop SRD when UIF starts.

Register on uFiling

Go to ufiling.gov.za and register. You can also go to your nearest Labour Centre in person. Have your ID, UI-19 form, payslips, and bank details ready.

Confirm your job search every month

Once your UIF claim is approved, you must confirm online every month that you are looking for work. If you miss a month, your payments stop.

UIF payment

38-60% of salary

Maximum

238 days

For every

4 days worked = 1 day UIF

UIF cap

R17,712/mo

Were you fired or retrenched?

This matters a lot for your rights:

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Retrenched (made redundant)

Your position no longer exists — the company is cutting costs or restructuring. You are entitled to: UIF (up to 238 days), severance pay (1 week per year of service), and a notice period (1–4 weeks depending on how long you worked there). This is NOT your fault.

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Dismissed (fired for misconduct)

You were fired because of something you did. You are still entitled to UIF (up to 238 days) and a notice period. However, you are NOT entitled to severance pay. If you believe the dismissal was unfair, you can go to the CCMA — it is free.

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Resigned (you chose to leave)

If you resigned voluntarily, you do not qualify for UIF. However, if your employer made working conditions so bad that you had no choice (called "constructive dismissal"), you can still claim. Get legal advice — the CCMA can help.

Frequently asked questions

UIF typically takes 4–8 weeks after you submit a complete application. Make sure all your documents are correct and your UI-19 form is included — missing documents are the main reason for delays.

Your employer is legally required to provide this form. If they refuse, report them to the Department of Labour (0800 030 007) or visit your nearest Labour Centre. You can also apply for UIF without the UI-19 by explaining the situation — they will follow up with your employer.

Yes, as long as you worked more than 24 hours per month and your employer was contributing to UIF. Many employers illegally do not register casual workers — if this happened to you, report it and you may still be able to claim.

The CCMA (Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration) is a free government service that helps workers resolve disputes with employers. If you were fired unfairly, did not receive your final pay, or your employer is not cooperating, the CCMA can help. You must apply within 30 days of dismissal.

Key contacts

UIF helpline: 0800 030 007
uFiling: ufiling.gov.za
CCMA (free): 0861 16 2616
CCMA website: www.ccma.org.za

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This guide provides general information only. Always verify at official government websites. Mzansi Money Guide is independent.