UIF Changes in 2026 — What Every South African Worker Must Know

The most immediate change for workers is the launch of UIF Online, a new digital claims platform that went live on 1 April 2025. The system was designed to replace the old uFiling employee claims portal, which many workers found slow and difficult to navigate.

On 20 May 2026, the old employee claims portal was officially shut down after the resolution of long-standing legal and contractual disputes that had prevented the UIF from decommissioning it earlier.

If you are wondering whether your old applications are lost, the Department of Employment and Labour has given clear assurance: no applications were lost. Applications submitted on the old system have been stored in a separate database and are being verified and migrated to UIF Online.

The new platform is not just a cosmetic upgrade. It offers three major improvements over the old system.

First, you can now submit claims yourself without needing third-party agents who often charged fees for basic assistance. This is called direct client submissions.

Second, the platform offers real-time claim tracking. You can see exactly where your claim is in the process, eliminating the old "hurry up and wait" uncertainty.

Third, there is automated communication. The system sends updates throughout the claims lifecycle, so you are never left in the dark.

The results have been striking. By April 2026, UIF Online had processed and paid 4,558,971 claims. Compare that to 4,099,522 claims processed in all of 2023 and 3,547,006 in 2024 under the old uFiling system. The new platform is already outperforming the old one by a significant margin.

If you are an employer or a domestic worker wondering about declarations and contributions, the employer portal on the old uFiling system remains operational for now. It continues to handle employer registrations, declarations, and contribution payments.

However, this is temporary. The Department has confirmed that these employer functions are expected to migrate to UIF Online by August 2026. Once that happens, the transition away from the legacy uFiling platform will be complete.

Amid all the system changes, your actual UIF contribution rate has remained stable for the 2026/2027 tax year, which runs from 1 March 2026 to 28 February 2027.

The employee contribution is 1% of your monthly salary.

The employer contribution is also 1% of your monthly salary.

The monthly earnings cap is R17,712.

The maximum employee contribution per month is therefore R177.12.

The maximum employer contribution per month is also R177.12.

If you earn above R17,712 per month, you still only pay the maximum of R177.12 — the cap applies regardless of how much higher your salary goes. The total contribution to the Fund from you and your employer combined is 2% of your salary up to that cap.

Beyond the digital changes, a major structural reform is underway that could transform how the UIF operates for years to come.

The Department of Employment and Labour is in the process of unbundling and reconfiguring the UIF and the Compensation Fund, with the goal of establishing both as standalone Schedule 3A public entities under the Public Finance Management Act.

For years, both funds have operated as branches within the Department — a structure that officials say has slowed decision-making, created administrative bottlenecks, and limited responsiveness to workers' needs. Under the proposed model, each entity would have its own governance structures, accounting authorities, and accounting officers, allowing for quicker decisions and more focused management.

Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour Judith Nemadzinga-Tshabalala explained the rationale in late May 2026. She said it is important to think of these legislative amendments as an intention to remove administrative bottlenecks, clarify governance responsibilities, and create institutions with greater operational agility and accountability.

The Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour has welcomed the proposal, describing it as a necessary intervention to address long-standing governance delays, administrative inefficiencies, and service delivery frustrations experienced by workers and employers alike.

Here are the critical dates every worker should know.

On 20 May 2026, the old uFiling employee claims portal closed permanently.

By August 2026, the employer portal is expected to migrate to UIF Online.

By June 2026, business cases for unbundling are to be finalised.

At dates still to be confirmed, the Amendment Bills will go through Parliament for public comment.

Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth has warned against the spread of misinformation regarding the UIF migration process. Unverified claims about lost applications or system failures have circulated on social media, causing unnecessary panic among workers who depend on UIF services.

While constructive criticism is welcome, the Minister emphasised that spreading unverified information can undermine public confidence in the system. If you hear alarming claims about UIF Online, verify them through official Department channels before acting on them.

First, register on UIF Online if you have not already. The old portal is closed, so any new claim must go through the new platform.

Second, keep your personal details updated. The system relies on accurate information to process claims and send automated updates.

Third, if you have a pending claim from the old system, do not panic. Your application has been stored and is being migrated. No applications were lost.

Fourth, employers should prepare for the August transition. The employer portal is moving to UIF Online by August 2026. Ensure your declarations are up to date before the migration.

Fifth, stay informed through official channels. Follow the Department of Employment and Labour's announcements rather than relying on social media rumours.