Dependant’s benefits can be claimed by the husband/wife or life partner of the deceased employee and any minor children of the employee.

The application for benefits must be made within 6 months of the death of the contributor or for the dependent within 2 weeks after the 6 months if the surviving spouse did not claim any benefits.

The surviving spouse or life partner must complete FORM UF126 when applying for dependent’s benefits. S/he must take the following documents to the Department of Labour office when applying for benefits:

• Identity document
• A certified copy of the death certificate
• A certified copy of the marriage certificate.

If these documents are lost, then the wife/husband or life partner should make a statement at the employment office.

A child or wife/husband of the deceased employee must complete FORM UF127 when applying for benefits. Any dependant who wants to claim dependant’s benefits must take the following documents to the employment office:

• If the dependant is a child, certified copies of the birth certificate, or if the dependant is a husband or wife, the marriage certificate
• A certified copy of the death certificate of the contributor

The employment office will give the dependant FORM UF128. This form must be filled in by the last employer of the deceased employee. The child or dependant must then take the form back to the employment office.

Remember that only one person can claim dependant’s benefits. The wife or husband of the employee who died is given preference.

The money for dependent’s benefits is paid in one lump sum in the beneficiary’s bank account. The amount that is paid will be the same as the total unemployment benefits that the deceased employee could have drawn at the time of the death.
(See: How Much Do Employees Get Paid when Applying for Benefits?)

If an employee dies after claiming all the UIF that is owed to them, there will be no money left for dependant’s benefits.