The UIF has opened May applications for TERS.

Employers who wish to submit May applications for TERS are encouraged to visit the TERS application website to apply: uifecc.labour.gov.za/covid19.

The application process has been modified and now provides applying employers with the option to select whether TERS benefits should be paid to the employer or whether TERS benefits should be paid to individual employees directly.

Employers will be entitled to receive TERS benefits if they wish to recover funds from the UIF where the employer has advanced TERS benefits to employees or where employees have been required to take annual leave.

Where employers refuse to apply for TERS benefits on behalf of its employees, such employees are entitled to individually apply for TERS benefits on uFiling: https://www.ufiling.co.za/uif.

New amendments to TERS Directive:

 The TERS Directive now incorporates a new definition for worker after new amendments were gazetted on 26 May 2020. Clause 1.1.9 of the TERS Directive defines worker to mean:

a) A contributor; or

b)An employee as defined in the Ul Act who should have received benefits under this Directive but for circumstances beyond that employee’s control, namely that the employer failed to: 

 I. The register as an employer in contravention of section 10(1) of the Unemployment Insurance
Contributions Act, 2002 (Act No. 4 of 2002);

II.Provide details relating to the employees  in contravention of section 10(3) of that Act and
accordingly not registered as contributors; or

III.Pay the contributions contemplated in section 5(1) of that Act in respect of that employee.

The TERS Directive now provides that workers who have lost income or have been required to take annual leave are entitled to TERS benefits.

Following up on your TERS applications:

If employers would like to follow up on the status of their TERS applications, they can contact the UIF as follows:

·       TERS call centre: 0800 030 007 / 0800 843 843

·       Email: Covid19TersSupport@labour.gov.za

·       TERS Application Website: www.uifecc.labour.gov.za/covid19

The Department of Employment & Labour (DEL) and Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) also regularly provide updates on TERS via their respective Twitter pages which can be accessed as follows:

·       DEL: @deptoflabour

·       UIF: @UIFBenefits