UIF URGE EMPLOYERS TO CORRECT COVID-19 TERS ERRORS TO ENABLE PAYMENTS TO THEIR WORKERS

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has appealed to businesses with unpaid Covid-19 TERS claims to correct errors in the system to enable the Fund to pay the claims immediately after validation and security checks.

Addressing an Employer Session at Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Thomas Shivuri from the Fund’s Operations Unit, revealed that despite all Covid-19 restrictions lifted, the UIF still had unpaid Covid-19 TERS claims in its system dating back to the previous year due to errors.

The errors in the system include:

• Incorrect identity and passport numbers;
• Failed bank verifications;
• No declaration;
• Salary discrepancies;
• Applications for deceased employees; and
• Applications for public servants.

“As the UIF, we are imploring all employers with unpaid claims to log into the Covid-19 TERS portal on uifecc.labour.gov.za/covid19  ,check the solution and rectify the error so we can process and pay the claim once it passes our validation and security checks”; Shivuri said.

He also advised employers who were unhappy about their claims being repudiated to follow the Fund’s appeal process by contacting the UIF on 0800 030 007.

Employers who unduly received Covid- 19 TERS monies were also urged to refund the UIF without delay before the Special Investigating Unit and the police’s HAWKS knock on their doors.

The risk management unit of the UIF indicated that 12 employers have been arrested in KZN for fraudulent Covid-19 TERS claims. R10 million has been recovered from employers who benefitted improperly and several investigations are ongoing.

The KwaZulu-Natal province was currently seized with a plethora of unpaid Death (Dependents) benefit claims because applicants who were not the spouse, life partner or dependent children could not produce the required nomination form.

In terms of the qualifying criteria for death benefits, the spouse or life partner is eligible to apply within 18 months. The dependent children can apply if the latter have not applied within 18 months. Then the contributor’s nominated beneficiaries may only be considered.

Employers  are encouraged to remind and help their workers to complete and submit the nomination forms so their beneficiaries can benefit during an unfortunate circumstance of death.

The Dependent Benefits nomination form (UI-53 form) for Death Benefits is available at www.labour.gov.za

The purpose of the session was to raise awareness about the UIF’s systems, benefits, services, processes and compliance with legislation, as well as receive input and constructive criticism from employers.

Details of the next session will be communicated on the Fund’s social media channels (@UIFza on Facebook and @UIFBeneifts on Twitter).