What to do When SRD Status Comes as “UIF Registered”?

ByHakim Lethabo

THE SASSA SRD grant is for those without income or who earn very little. The grant was began during the painful time of COVID-19 in 2020. However, when you apply for SRD R370 grant and your result comes out as “UIF Registered” then you do not need to panic.

What does UIF Registered mean? It means SASSA has found your eligibility for UIF payments. UIF stands for “Unemployment Insurance Fund”.

However, this does not mean you are actually receiving the UIF payments. If you are already receiving the UIF payments then unfortunately you can not apply for the SRD grant. But if you are not a beneficiary of UIF then you can appeal for reconsideration to get your SRD grant payment.

About UIF (Unemployment Insurance Fund)

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) operates under the auspices of the Department of Labour and is governed by both the Unemployment Insurance Act of 2001 (UI Act) and the Unemployment Insurance Contributions Act of 2002 (UIC Act). 

Established to provide financial assistance to workers who find themselves unemployed due to circumstances beyond their control like maternity or illness, the UIF serves as a vital safety net for individuals facing economic hardship. 

However, certain criteria must be met for eligibility, including being employed for more than 24 hours a month and not being a beneficiary of the UIF already. It’s important to note that being labeled as “UIF Registered” when applying for the Special Relief of Distress (SRD) grant through the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) doesn’t automatically imply that one is receiving UIF payments. Rather, it indicates that SASSA has identified eligibility for UIF assistance. 

If an individual is not already receiving UIF benefits, they may still be eligible for the SRD grant and can appeal for reconsideration. This system aims to ensure that those in need receive the appropriate financial support during times of economic uncertainty, such as the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Why is My SRD Grant Status Showing “UIF Registered”?

When you perform your SASSA check, you will see this message that “UIF Registered”. Here are the reasons why this happens:

The applicant is already receiving UIF payments:

  • Explanation: This means that the individual is currently receiving financial assistance from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) due to unemployment or other qualifying circumstances.
  • Implication: Since the applicant is already receiving support through UIF, they are not be eligible for additional assistance through the Special Relief of Distress (SRD) grant.

Applicant is eligible for UIF payments but not receiving them:

  • Explanation: The “UIF Registered” status indicates that the applicant meets the criteria for UIF assistance but has not yet started receiving payments.
  • Implication: Although eligible for UIF support, the applicant may still be eligible for the SRD grant if they meet its specific criteria. They can appeal or seek reconsideration to receive the SRD grant despite their UIF eligibility.

Applicant has applied for UIF benefits but not received the funds:

  • Explanation: This situation arises when the applicant has submitted an application for UIF benefits, but the funds have not yet been disbursed due to processing delays or administrative reasons.
  • Implication: While the applicant’s UIF application is pending, they may still qualify for the SRD grant if they meet its eligibility requirements. Once their UIF application is processed and approved, their eligibility for the SRD grant will be reassessed based on their updated circumstances.

What to Do?

The only solution for this status is to appeal to the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals (ITSAA). They will verify your application status and allow you to submit the application for the reconsideration.

Please note that you need to lodge the appeal within 90 days of the application decline.

Here is the step-by-step guide on how to appeal for UIF registered status:

  1. Visit the https://srd.sassa.gov.za/appeals/ website.
  2. Click on the “Click here to lodge an appeal”.
  3. Provide your South African ID number.
  4. Provide your phone number used for the SRD grant.
  5. You will get an a PIN via SMS.
  6. Submit the PIN and appeal the decision.

The Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals will verify your appeal application. It can take up to 60 to 90 days before you get a response from the ITSAA.