UIF: Update Your Surname For Maternity Benefits

Maternity leave is necessary for mothers of newborn babies to bond with their children. However, this often means time away from work.

When people take time off from work, it could mean that they lose out on a portion of their income. The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) will subsidise the income of mothers who lose income due to taking maternity leave.

The UIF has reminded women who apply for maternity benefits to ensure their surname has officially been changed at the bank.

The fund said, ‘if the surname used in your claim documents does not match the one on Bank Records, the processing of your claim will be delayed until you have been updated at your bank’.

Below is the list of information required when applying for maternity benefits

1. Your identification document, card, passport or asylum seeker’s permit.
2. Completed UI-2.8 Form (banking details)
3. Completed UI-2.7 Form (remuneration received by you whilst still in employment)
4. Completed UI-2.3 Form (Application form)
5. Doctors letter confirming the expected date of birth or birth certificate of the child
6. Completed UI-4 From (Application form)

Qualifying Conditions For UIF Maternity Benefits

1. The application must be made prior to the birth of the child or within 12 months of the child being born. 
2. The contributor must be receiving less than the normal remuneration whilst on maternity leave 
3. Benefits are payable at a flat rate of 66% for the period of confinement or period after the child’s birth
4. In the event of a stillbirth or miscarriage benefits are paid for a maximum period of 121 days 
5. The contributor must have been employed for at least 13 weeks before the date of the application 

You can apply at your nearest you can apply at a Department of Labour centre or on the UFiling website at https://ufiling.co.za/uif/