How to Check UIF Status Online (2026)

How to Check UIF Status Online in South Africa (2026) – Track Your Claim

You applied for UIF weeks ago. You have heard nothing. Your money has not arrived. You are stressed and frustrated.

This is a common experience for many UIF claimants. The good news is that you do not have to wait in the dark. You can check your UIF status online at any time, from your phone or computer.

This guide shows you exactly how to check your UIF status online in South Africa in 2026 — step by step.

What the Job Involves (Understanding UIF Status)

Before you check your status, understand what different statuses mean.

Common UIF application statuses:

Submitted / Received: Your application has been successfully submitted and received

Under Review: UIF officials are reviewing your documents and information

Pending: Additional information or verification is required

Approved: Your claim has been approved and payment is being processed

Paid: Funds have been transferred to your bank account

Rejected: Your claim was not approved (the reason should be provided)

Inactive: You are not currently contributing or receiving benefits

What "Active" vs "Inactive" means:

Active status: You are currently contributing to UIF (employed) or receiving benefits

Inactive status: You are not actively contributing and cannot claim benefits

Requirements Before You Check

Before you check your UIF status online, make sure you have:

What you need:

✅ Your South African ID number

✅ Your uFiling username and password

✅ Your UIF reference number (if you have applied before)

✅ Access to the internet (phone or computer)

You do NOT need:

❌ A paid account – uFiling is free

❌ Special software – just a web browser

How to Register on uFiling (Step 2)

If you have not registered on uFiling yet, you need to do this first.

How to register on uFiling:

Go to the official uFiling website: https://ufiling.labour.gov.za/uif/

Click "Register" on the homepage

Select whether you are registering as an employee or employer

Enter your South African ID number (or passport number for foreign nationals)

Create a username and password

Provide your personal information: full name, address, contact details, cellphone number, email address

Provide your employment information: employer's UIF reference number, start date

Read and accept the terms and conditions

Verify your registration via the link sent to your email or the code sent to your phone

Documents you need to register:

✅ South African ID

✅ Valid cellphone number (for OTP verification)

✅ Email address

How to Check Your UIF Status Online – Step by Step

Step 1: Go to the uFiling Website

Open your web browser and go to: https://ufiling.labour.gov.za/uif/

Make sure you are on the official government website. Look for "labour.gov.za" in the address.

Step 2: Log into Your Account

Enter your username and password

Click "Login"

Complete any security verification (captcha) if prompted

Step 3: Navigate to the Status Check

After logging in, you will be on your dashboard.

Method 1 – Check UIF Status:

Look for and click the "Check UIF Status" tab

Enter your ID number when prompted

Click "Submit"

Method 2 – Check UIF Balance:

On your dashboard, click "Check my balance"

Enter the captcha number shown (security verification)

Enter your UIF reference number when prompted

Follow any additional instructions

Step 4: View Your Status

After submitting, you will see:

If your status is "Active":

You are currently contributing to UIF (if employed)

Or you are currently receiving UIF benefits (if unemployed)

You will be eligible for benefits if you become unemployed

If your status is "Inactive":

You are not actively contributing to UIF

You cannot claim benefits at this time

You may need to check if your employer has been making deductions

If you have an application pending:

You will see the current stage (Under Review, Pending, Approved, or Paid)

Check for any messages requesting additional information

How to Check Your UIF Balance

Your UIF balance shows how many credits you have available.

Steps to check your balance:

Log into your uFiling account

On your dashboard, click "Check my balance"

Enter the captcha code shown on the screen

Enter your UIF reference number when prompted

Your available balance and credits will be displayed

What your balance tells you:

How many days of benefits you have earned

How much money you may be eligible to receive

Your contribution history

How to Track Your Claim Status

If you have already submitted a claim:

After you submit a claim:

You will receive a reference number – keep it safe

To track your claim:

Log into your uFiling account

Look for "My Applications" or "Claim Status"

Your application status will be displayed

Common statuses: Submitted, Under Review, Pending, Approved, Rejected

What to do if your status says "Pending":

UIF may need additional information

Check your messages in the uFiling portal

Call the UIF call centre if you are unsure what is needed

Other Ways to Check Your UIF Status

If you cannot access the internet or have trouble with uFiling:

After you submit a claim:

You will receive a reference number – keep it safe

To track your claim:

Log into your uFiling account

Look for "My Applications" or "Claim Status"

Your application status will be displayed

Common statuses: Submitted, Under Review, Pending, Approved, Rejected

What to do if your status says "Pending":

UIF may need additional information

Check your messages in the uFiling portal

Call the UIF call centre if you are unsure what is needed

Other Ways to Check Your UIF Status

If you cannot access the internet or have trouble with uFiling:

Phone support:

Call the UIF toll-free number: 0800 030 007

Have your ID number ready

Be prepared for possible wait times

In person:

Visit your nearest Department of Employment and Labour office

Bring your ID and any reference numbers

Ask a UIF officer to check your status

Location – UIF Support Centres Across South Africa

UIF services are available through labour centres in every province.

Gauteng:

Johannesburg Labour Centre

Pretoria Labour Centre

Germiston Labour Centre

Soweto Labour Centre

Western Cape:

Cape Town Labour Centre

Mitchells Plain Labour Centre

George Labour Centre

KwaZulu-Natal:

Durban Labour Centre

Pietermaritzburg Labour Centre

Eastern Cape:

Gqeberha Labour Centre

East London Labour Centre

Other provinces:

Check the Department of Employment and Labour website for labour centre locations

Before you visit:

Call ahead to confirm office hours

Bring your ID and all relevant documents

Arrive early (offices get busy)

Tips for Checking Your UIF Status

Check regularly – Make it a habit to log in every few days after applying

Keep your login details safe – Do not share your uFiling password

Update your contact information – UIF must be able to reach you

Check your messages – UIF may send requests through the portal

Do not panic if it says "Under Review" – This is normal and means your application is being processed

Save your reference numbers – You need these to track your claim and check your balance

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Forgetting your uFiling password – Use the "Forgot Password" feature to reset it

❌ Using the wrong ID number – Make sure you enter your ID correctly

❌ Not checking your messages – UIF may ask for additional documents through the portal

❌ Assuming "Inactive" means no benefits – It may mean your employer has not registered you; check with them

❌ Only checking once – Log in regularly for updates

❌ Falling for fake UIF status websites – Only use ufiling.labour.gov.za

FAQ: How to Check UIF Status Online

Q: How can I check my UIF status online?

A: Go to https://ufiling.labour.gov.za/uif/, log into your account, and click "Check UIF Status" or "Check my balance" .

Q: Can I check my UIF status on my phone?

A: Yes. The uFiling website works on smartphones. You can register, log in, and check your status from your phone browser.

Q: What does "Inactive" status mean on UIF?

A: "Inactive" means you are not actively contributing to UIF and cannot claim benefits at this time .

Q: How do I know if my UIF claim has been approved?

A: Log into uFiling and check your application status. If approved, your status will change to "Approved" or "Paid" .

Q: What is the UIF call centre number?

A: The UIF toll-free number is 0800 030 007 .

Q: How often should I check my UIF status?

A: Check every few days after submitting your application. Once benefits start, check monthly to ensure payments continue.

Q: Can someone else check my UIF status for me?

A: Only if you share your uFiling login details. Be careful – do not share your password with strangers or people offering to "help" for a fee (this is a scam).

Conclusion – Stay on Top of Your UIF Status

Checking your UIF status online takes only a few minutes. Make it part of your weekly routine while you wait for your claim to be processed.

Register on uFiling, log in regularly, and check your status and messages. If you see "Pending" or "Under Review," be patient but persistent. If your status does not change for weeks, call the UIF call centre.

👉 Check your UIF status now: https://ufiling.labour.gov.za/uif/

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