i What this calculator does
Estimates what the Unemployment Insurance Fund will pay you, and for how long, using the statutory method: your average salary capped at the R17,712 monthly ceiling, converted to a daily income; the income replacement rate, a sliding scale that pays 60% to the lowest earners and 38% at the ceiling; and your credit days, one benefit day for every five days you worked while contributing, up to 365 days in a four-year cycle. Days beyond 238 are paid at a flat 20%, and maternity claims use a flat 66% for up to 121 days.
The result that surprises most people is the ceiling. Anyone earning above R17,712 a month is calculated as if they earned R17,712, so a R40,000 salary and a R18,000 salary produce the same benefit of roughly R6,700 a month. UIF is a floor, not a replacement of your income.
An estimate from the statutory formula and the R17,712 ceiling. The UIF decides credit days from its own contribution records, applies waiting periods, and pays in monthly instalments while you remain unemployed. Not legal advice.
See also: Dividend Withholding Tax Calculator and Estate Duty Calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How is the UIF benefit calculated?
Your average monthly salary, capped at R17,712, is converted to a daily income (salary × 12 ÷ 365). The income replacement rate is 29.2 + 7173.92 ÷ (232.92 + daily income), between 38% and 60%. Daily benefit = daily income × that rate, paid for your available credit days.
How many days of UIF can I claim?
One benefit day for every five days you worked as a contributor, up to a maximum of 365 days in any four-year period. Roughly five years of continuous contribution earns the full 365. Days already claimed in the cycle are deducted.
Why is my benefit the same as someone earning less?
Because of the ceiling. Earnings above R17,712 a month are ignored, so everyone at or above that level receives the minimum 38% of R582.31 a day, about R221 a day or R6,700 a month.
How are maternity benefits different?
Maternity benefits are paid at a flat 66% of your capped daily income for up to 121 days, with no sliding scale. They also do not reduce your unemployment credit days.
When does the rate drop to 20%?
For unemployment and illness claims, the first 238 benefit days are paid at your income replacement rate and any further days, up to the 365 maximum, at a flat 20% of daily income.
Can I claim UIF if I resigned?
No. Unemployment benefits require that you lost your job through dismissal, retrenchment, the end of a contract or the employer's insolvency. Resignation disqualifies you, although constructive dismissal found by the CCMA can qualify.
Want to embed this calculator on your site?
Embed this calculator
Free to use on your own site. Copy the code below and paste it where you want the calculator to appear.
<iframe src="https://www.tradeanswers.co.za/embed/uif-benefit-calculator.html"
width="100%" height="860" style="border:0;max-width:520px"
title="UIF Benefit Calculator - TradeAnswers" loading="lazy"></iframe>
<p><a href="https://www.tradeanswers.co.za/uif-benefit-calculator.html">UIF Benefit Calculator</a> by <a href="https://www.tradeanswers.co.za/">TradeAnswers</a></p>