UIF benefit calculator
Lost your job, been retrenched, or going on maternity leave? Add two figures from your payslip and work history to see an estimate of what UIF could pay and for how long. Still working? Scroll down to work out how much UIF comes off your pay each month. No account is needed.
How this works
UIF does not pay a flat percentage of your salary. It uses a sliding scale called the income replacement rate: the less you earned, the higher the percentage you get back, from 60% for the lowest earners down to 38% at the ceiling. Salaries are capped at R17 712 a month for the calculation, so earning more than that does not increase your benefit.
How long UIF pays depends on credit days. You build up one credit day for every four days you worked while contributing, up to a maximum of 365 days over the last four years. The first 238 credit days pay at your sliding scale rate; days 239 to 365 pay at a flat 20% of your daily income. Maternity benefits work differently and pay a flat 66% of your earnings for up to 121 days.
To claim, you register on UIF Online at uifonline.labour.gov.za or visit a labour centre with your ID, proof of banking and a UI-19 form from your employer. You cannot claim if you resigned; the fund covers retrenchment, dismissal, contract expiry, illness, maternity and reduced working time.
Frequently asked questions
How much UIF will I get if I earn R10 000 a month?
On R10 000 a month your daily income is about R328.77 and your replacement rate is about 41.98%, which works out to a benefit of roughly R4 200 a month during the sliding scale period. Use the calculator above for your exact figure.
How long does UIF pay out for?
It depends how long you worked. You get one credit day for every four days worked in the last four years, up to 365 days, which is about 12 months of benefits. Working one year gives you roughly 91 days, or about three months of cover.
Can I claim UIF if I resigned?
No. UIF does not pay unemployment benefits if you resigned or absconded. You can claim if you were retrenched, dismissed, your contract ended, or in some cases if you resigned for a constructive dismissal recognised by the CCMA.
What is the maximum UIF payout in 2026?
The earnings ceiling is R17 712 a month. At the ceiling the replacement rate is 38%, which gives a daily benefit of about R221.28, or roughly R6 730 a month, for the first 238 credit days.
How is maternity UIF calculated?
Maternity benefits are paid at a flat 66% of your earnings, capped at the same R17 712 ceiling, for up to 121 days. Claiming maternity benefits does not use up your normal unemployment credits.
How do I claim UIF online?
Register at uifonline.labour.gov.za, complete the application and upload your documents. Your employer must have declared you and submitted a UI-19. Claims should be lodged within 12 months of becoming unemployed.
How much UIF is deducted from my salary?
UIF is 1% of what you earn in the month, taken off your pay, and your employer pays another 1% on top. The calculation is capped at R17 712 a month, so the most anyone pays is R177.12. If you are paid by the hour, turn the hours into a monthly figure first. UIF only applies if you work 24 hours or more in the month.
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This calculator gives an estimate based on the UIF formula published by the Department of Employment and Labour (checked August 2026). The fund's own assessment of your credit days and earnings decides the final amount.