THE Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) will start opening and processing the July/August Covid-19 Temporary Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) benefits applications from next week, while winding down outstanding claims.
This follows the signing of the new direction on extended period of benefits by Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi on 11 August.
According to the new direction, an employer or employee, may claim Covid-19 TERS benefits for the extension period, starting from 1 July 2020 until 15 August 2020.
The application process remains the same for the extension period and all claims must be lodged via the online portal: uifecc.labour.gov.za/covid19/ or www.labour.gov.za.
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“As with previous claim processes, to apply in the new period, employers are required to upload similar documentation that include signed approval or acceptance letter, bank confirmation letter, proof of payment to employees and refund to the UIF – if applicable,” said UIF Commissioner Teboho Maruping.
In keeping with strict governance principles, Maruping said they will still subject payments to bank verification prior to releasing the funds into the applicant’s accounts.
“The immediate past has taught us that even under the pandemic, criminals are at large and looking to benefit through their nefarious means. We have an obligation to do everything in our power to ensure that that funds are not paid into the incorrect accounts.
“UIF will issue a letter to employers who have applied for Covid-19 TERS benefits outlining the process to be followed when making applications for the extension period, and will also update the Frequently Asked Questions document to serve as a quick reference for applicants,” Maruping said.
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
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At the time of going to press, the contents of this feature mirrored South Africa’s lockdown regulations.
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