Qualify for unemployment

[sparticus]

This morning a friend heard he might lose his job soon due to cut backs and asked me about unemployment benefits . He probably thinks that I claim as I am self employed for a while now after working in the corporate environment for about 20 years.

It then stuck me , can I claim unemployment ? I suppose the more pertinent question is should I claim ? Sometimes I have a good month and sometimes I go without work for weeks. Any advice ?

 

[RandomDesign]

http://www.services.gov.za/services...ntinsurancefund/unemploymentbenifitsUIF/en_ZA

you need to have contributed UIF...

 

[Other Pineapple Smurf]

If I remember correctly you would not qualify if you are self employed even though you are still suppose to pay UIF.

 

[sparticus]

http://www.services.gov.za/services...ntinsurancefund/unemploymentbenifitsUIF/en_ZA

you need to have contributed UIF...

Mmmm I did for 20 odd years lol , my problem is I left work more than 6 months ago.

 

[noxibox]

Self-employed people usually cannot claim and don't make contributions either.

 

[geezer]

I might be totally wrong, but as far as I know, you may only claim if you have been dismissed from your employment, and not if you have left on your own accord.

Taken from the Department of Labour website: http://www.labour.gov.za/DOL/legislation/acts/basic-guides/basic-guide-to-uif-unemployment-benefits

Claiming
Who can claim?
You cannot claim if you get –
◦benefits from the Compensation Fund;
◦benefits from an unemployment fund under the Labour Relations Act;
◦or if they –
◦are suspended from claiming because of fraud;
◦quit their job;
◦do not report at set dates and times; or
◦refuse training and advice.
Workers can claim if their –
◦employers are bankrupt;
◦contracts are ended; or if they
◦are fired.
Domestic workers can also claim if –
◦they work for more than 1 employer, and loose their job at one of the employers; or
◦their employer dies.
Workers must register as worker-seekers (see How to Register as Work-seeker) and be available for work.
Based on legislation in Section 14, Section 16, Section 36, of the Unemployment Insurance Act

When must I claim?
Workers must claim within six months after they stopped working.
Based on Legislation in Section 17 of the Unemployment Insurance Act

How long can I claim for?
Workers can claim from the day they stopped working until their benefits are used up or they start working again.
Based on Legislation in Section 15, of the Unemployment Insurance Act

How do I claim?
Workers must fill in the application forms and, together with other required documents, hand it in at a labour centre.
Benefit Payments
How will I be paid?
Benefit payments will be paid to the contributors bank account.
Based on legislation in Section 18, of the Unemployment Insurance Act

Tax
No tax is payable on the benefits.
Based on Legislation in Section 34 of the Unemployment Insurance Act

Overpayments
If you get more money than you should, you must pay back the extra money.
Based on Legislation in Section 35, of the Unemployment Insurance Act

When the UIF May Refuse to Pay
The UIF may stop paying you benefits if you refuse to:
◦accept a job;
◦go for training; or
◦go for advice.

Based on Legislation in Section 18, of the Unemployment Insurance Act