What to Do If Your SRD Grant Status Says “UIF Registered”?

Encountering a “UIF Registered” status while tracking your COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant application might lead to confusion. But fret not, this issue can be rectified. 

A “UIF Registered” status implies that SASSA perceives you as eligible for UIF benefits, rendering you ineligible for the R350 SRD grant.

Yet, if you aren’t actually receiving UIF benefits, there’s a way to contest this decision and ensure approval of your grant. Follow these steps to understand the implications of “UIF Registered” and how to resolve it.

What is UIF?

UIF stands for Unemployment Insurance Fund, overseen by the Department of Labour, providing short-term financial aid to jobless individuals in the form of benefits.

During the SRD grant application process, SASSA checks your ID number, tax details, and bank information to confirm your UIF registration status. If flagged as UIF registered, your SRD application is automatically turned down, as this registration suggests employment, disqualifying you from the unemployment SRD grant.

Reasons for a UIF Registered Status

There are two primary reasons your SRD application might reflect a UIF Registered status:

  1. You are already receiving UIF benefits, which automatically disqualifies you.
  2. You are registered for UIF but not currently receiving any benefits due to an error in SASSA’s verification process.

Unless this status is factually incorrect, SASSA will reject your SRD grant based on presumed UIF eligibility.

How to Appeal and Resolve the Status

To dispute the decision if you’re registered with UIF but not receiving any payments, follow these steps:

  1. Collect evidence such as bank statements, UIF letters, and payslips to support your case.
  2. File an appeal online at srd.dsd.gov.za within 30 days of rejection.
  3. Clearly explain that you are not receiving UIF, backing your statement with relevant documents.
  4. Keep following up every two weeks via phone or in-person until a resolution is reached.

With evidence of non-receipt of UIF, SASSA can rectify the error and greenlight your SRD application.

Monitoring Your Status

After disputing a UIF Registered status, make sure to:

  1. Regularly check your status on the SASSA SRD portal.
  2. Provide any additional documents requested for SASSA’s re-verification and review.
  3. Follow up if the status remains pending after six weeks, and re-appeal if necessary.
  4. Inform SASSA if you start receiving UIF or secure employment.

Consistently tracking an inaccurate UIF registration status can prompt its correction to an approved status.

What to Do If Your Appeal Succeeds

If your persistent appeals persuade SASSA to correct the UIF error and approve your grant, ensure to:

  1. Provide your bank details to start receiving payments.
  2. Reapply on time when the SRD grant period ends after three months.
  3. Adhere to all SASSA’s SRD grant regulations and terms.

Erroneously being marked as UIF registered can unjustly block your access to the SRD grant. Yet, persistent appeals supported by evidence can rectify this error, allowing you to access vital financial aid when you truly need it.