Attorney Michael de Broglio on: South Africa, Law, Politics, Attorneys, Sport, Photography, Technology, Gadgets, Media, Crime, Road Accidents Fund,
Divorce, Maintenance, Personal Injury, Medical Negligence
I have written previously about UIF and their promises to make it a better organization. It seems that none of my staff, however capable, can ever get maternity payments from UIF when they really need it. By the time they are back at work they usually get their payment. That of course is of little use when they need it when they are not at work to look after themselves and a new baby. UIF is more important than many think – and also because what is proposed for the RAF will ultimately become a similar state run organization with no attorneys involved to keep the organization in line with Court reviews and actions where necessary. I will let the staff member take up the rest of the article with some of the problems she has experienced:
My claim was submitted online in July 2014 via the UIF's new u-filing system as advertised by the department of labour. Since then I have not received any compensation from the UIF for my maternity claim. I have phoned their call centre repeatedly and been advised repeatedly over the months that they have everything from me but that my claim is still with the assessor and that "I must learn patience" because one cannot speak with the assessor and there is nothing one can do to speed up the process. On calling the call centre again yesterday, I was advised that my claim has not been processed at all and my only option is to phone the hotline. I phoned the hotline and after 20 minutes I was told you can't do a claim online, that you have to go in to the department of labour, and that I must send them the birth certificate. Why did they create the online system if you can't claim online? Why was I told my claim was being processed for 3 months? How am I supposed to go into a government department while I am breastfeeding my small baby? And why are they now asking me for a document which has never been requested before? Not even listed as a requirement anywhere. Is their plan to push a person so far you simply give up on ever receiving any compensation which in any event is supposedly so insignificant it doesn't cover your monthly expenses. It is truly despicable how when a woman is at her most vulnerable, she is tormented by the government's absolute neglect.
Posted by Michael de Broglio on Friday 07-Nov-14
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Comments
Lisa-Marie Barnes said:
on Friday 02-Oct-15 12:07 PM
I have registered on 20th July for uif because I was unable to register before then. My baby was born on 30th June. Had all documents in order and went to uif Randburg to register and was told that I must return 28 days from 1st payment which was never paid. I still haven't been paid yet and have called the call centre and was told UI19 wasn't captured so I went back on 16th September to capture and they told me I would be paid Within 8 to 10 days but nothing has been paid. Please advise me what to do. Thankyou
Kind Regards
LISA-MARIE BARNES
said:
on Friday 02-Oct-15 12:04 PM
I have registered on 20th July for uif because I was unable to register before then. My baby was born on 30th June. Had all documents in order and went to uif Randburg to register and was told that I must return 28 days from 1st payment which was never paid. I still haven't been paid yet and have called the call centre and was told UI19 wasn't captured so I went back on 16th September to capture and they told me I would be paid Within 8 to 10 days but nothing has been paid. Please advise me what to do. Thankyou
Kind Regards
LISA-MARIE BARNES
Prisilla said:
on Thursday 30-Jul-15 02:16 PM
Im awaiting 5months and 2weeks every time I phone PTA call centre or when I phone/go into the dept of labour office in my area they tell me they are busy with my application I just have to wait! Im already waiting more than 5months but I must still wait! They get the uif deduction every month I cant say no sorry ill pay next month but I have to wait!
Caron said:
on Wednesday 12-Nov-14 03:27 PM
If you can't afford it, don't have it!
Liesl said:
on Tuesday 11-Nov-14 03:14 PM
So much about this country that is in such a mess, it really is making me nervous. Who can afford to not earn a salary after just having a baby? I don't know how they do it
Safia said:
on Tuesday 11-Nov-14 01:50 PM
it is so sad, basically if you get a baby, you are on your own. a young mother has to rely on her family only and that is it. they take your tax money but can not provide a stitch in return.
Clare said:
on Tuesday 11-Nov-14 09:25 AM
When i went on maternity leave I actually when to the UIF department once. I just couldn't the service is disgusting and to top it off they are so so slow. I will never go back there ever again
Marisa said:
on Tuesday 11-Nov-14 09:23 AM
This is terrible.. but by this moment we should all know that we get nothing out of other places and their jobs are not getting done as it should be.. by now nothing is actually shocking anymore,what would be shocking is when something actually gets done right and you don't struggle with them,I will find that as shocking.
Ashleigh said:
on Tuesday 11-Nov-14 09:01 AM
Its very upsetting that Mothers not have to only wait this long but to wait for peanuts. Funny thing about government and any policies is they are quick to take their contribution every month consistently but its like pulling teeth to just receive what you have been contributing. Makes you wonder why the process is so slack slow.
Cornelie said:
on Tuesday 11-Nov-14 08:57 AM
This is really scary because just to think about it one day I need to go on maternity leave and not to have 3 or 4 months salary is a bit stress full and then you will think that UIF will pay out but takes their sweet time like everything else in this country. It makes me SICK.
Lucretia said:
on Tuesday 11-Nov-14 08:56 AM
UIF should be UIYF (unable to improve your finances). I remember when my sister's son was born, some 16 years ago, she was at the bank and had 6 months maternity leave. After 3.5 months she was told, by UIF, it is best she goes back to work because, "our coffers are dry". When she stated that she has paid all her working career towards UIF, shoulders were shrugged and eventually at 4 months, she went back to work.
Lucretia said:
on Tuesday 11-Nov-14 08:55 AM
UIF should be UIYF (unable to improve your finances). I remember when my sister's son was born, some 16 years ago, she was at the bank and had 6 months maternity leave. After 3.5 months she was told, by UIF, it is best she goes back to work because, "our coffers are dry". When she stated that she has paid all her working career towards UIF, shoulders were shrugged and eventually at 4 months, she went back to work.
Catherine said:
on Tuesday 11-Nov-14 08:45 AM
This is utterly despicable!. Service delivery in this country is non-existant.
Thabitha said:
on Tuesday 11-Nov-14 08:41 AM
UIF department is a nightmare or a bad dream getting help from them its a pain
Henrietta said:
on Monday 10-Nov-14 09:06 AM
This is really sad and to top it off it's technically your money in a "saving with the government" but when push come to shove you wait forever to get the money. Sad really but no surprise....
Sinead said:
on Monday 10-Nov-14 08:32 AM
This is just sad... Another reason you need to save a percentage of your salary every month. Just in case you are in this situation. It's no surprise in this country though. They are quick to take our money every month for UIF but when it comes to paying us back, there is always a delay...
Elektra said:
on Friday 07-Nov-14 04:13 PM
Just appalling... There is no hope for this country.
And on a second note, yes its once again the women that have to go though all of this, and as Alexis mentioned sometimes with out any support.
Men have no idea how lucky they are, they will never have to stand in ques to get payment because they had to take off work in order to attend to the baby, men don't loose out on their salary, and when the UIF eventually does pay out, it is not your entire salary, women are prejudiced in this sense and are not equal in this stance.
Labour Laws should change to allow the man to take off "Maternity leave" to then stay home and attend to the newborn. In some cases the women is the breadwinner in the household and she now needs to take off 4 months with no salary and UIF only paying out after an extended period later, how is this family supposed to survive.
And what about Gay marriages which is legal in this Country. And because men are not allowed to take off "Maternity leave" who is going to look after their newly adopted baby??
So many issues around this topic.
Joyce said:
on Friday 07-Nov-14 03:51 PM
I think this is a disgrace
Angelique said:
on Friday 07-Nov-14 03:34 PM
No suprise with our country service delivery. They quick to take off UIF every month but when it comes to paying out they never do and drag their feet. Much like anything government owned. I just feel it is really unfair. SARS should run it because they hunt for their money and always good payers!
Alexis said:
on Friday 07-Nov-14 11:36 AM
I was lucky when i had my child, the UIF dept was litterally walking distance from where i was staying and all i had to do was go in once a month and would get paid.
Again - the service delivery in this country is appalling!
A new system is created and they cannot even manage to do it properly, sort of like what one is dealing with when applying for a trial date these days.
And not all of these mothers have husbands or a support structure to help them through it
Quite despicable that our country cannot work for us instead of against us
Kaylee said:
on Friday 07-Nov-14 11:21 AM
This is shocking! If babies aren't expensive enough, you have to on top of all the expenses not be able to get UIF.
Jade said:
on Friday 07-Nov-14 10:14 AM
This sounds like an absolute nightmare, but when you consider that getting anything out of home affairs/ getting reliable and efficient service from Telkom/ getting quick payment from RAF is impossible, then this is really no surprise. I often feel as if the state takes from us so quickly, with their taxes and their e-tolls, but never gives back to the people.
Jade said:
on Friday 07-Nov-14 10:14 AM
This sounds like an absolute nightmare, but when you consider that getting anything out of home affairs/ getting reliable and efficient service from Telkom/ getting quick payment from RAF is impossible, then this is really no surprise. I often feel as if the state takes from us so quickly, with their taxes and their e-tolls, but never gives back to the people.
Bianca R said:
on Friday 07-Nov-14 08:42 AM
This is disgraceful! What is the use of even paying for UIF if you're going to receive your payment once you're already back to work. We all contribute towards UIF in case we ever need it, and when you do need the funds, you do not get them! Another service fail of South Africa.
Johannesburg based attorney specializing in personal injury matters including Road Accident Fund claims and medical negligence matters. My interests include golf, reading and the internet and the way it is constantly developing. I have a passion for life and a desire for less stress!
