A woman can claim one day's maternity benefits for every 6 days she has contributed up to a maximum of 121 days or 4 months. The benefits are paid out on a sliding scale, the higher your wages the lower percentage you receive from UIF. (see table for examples) If you earn more than R8099 per month you will receive a maximum benefit of R3077.62 per month.

If you get a benefit from your employer, this benefit and your UIF benefit cannot be more than 100% of what you normally earn. A women who has a miscarriage from the third month of her pregnancy or who has a stillborn child is entitled to a maximum benefit of six weeks after the miscarriage or stillborn. You must apply for benefits within 8 weeks of confinement/ or within 6 months of the birth of the child.

This table gives some examples of what you could receive from UIF.

Approximate benefits payable on monthly basis

Monthly income

% of wagereceived as benefit

Actual amount received as monthly benefit

R50.00

58.64

87.96

R300.00

57.39

172.17

R500.00

55.88

279.41

R700.00

54.53

381.69

R1000.00

52.74

527.35

R1500.00

50.25

753.79

R2000.00

48.24

964.87

R3000.00

45.19

1355.74

R3075.57

45.19

1384.01

R4000.00

42.98

1719.30

R5000.00

41.31

2065.49

Source

Numsa News