UIF Adoption Benefits: How to Claim When You Adopt a Child
South African workers who adopt a child under two years of age and take adoption leave from work are entitled to claim UIF adoption benefits. This benefit was introduced to support adoptive parents in the same way that maternity benefits support birth parents.
Adoption leave entitlement under the Basic Conditions of Employment Act allows the primary caregiver adoptive parent 10 consecutive weeks of adoption leave. UIF adoption benefits cover the income loss during this leave.
Who Qualifies for UIF Adoption Benefits?
To claim UIF adoption benefits, the following criteria must be met:
- You must be a registered UIF contributor with at least 13 weeks of contributions
- You must be adopting a child who is under two years of age at the time of the adoption
- You must take adoption leave from work following the adoption
- The adoption must be formalised through a court order in South Africa
- Both adoptive parents may be eligible if both are UIF contributors, but the benefit applies to only one parent at a time per child
How Much Will You Receive?
Adoption benefits are calculated using the same Income Replacement Rate (IRR) formula as maternity and illness benefits. The daily benefit is between 38% and 58% of your daily remuneration, depending on your salary.
The maximum benefit period is 10 weeks (70 days) for the primary caregiver adoptive parent.
| Monthly Salary | Daily Benefit (approx.) | Total for 70 Days |
|---|---|---|
| R5,000 | R86.67 | R6,067 |
| R8,000 | R122.67 | R8,587 |
| R12,000 | R168.00 | R11,760 |
| R17,712 (cap) | R224.35 | R15,705 |
Documents Required for an Adoption Benefit Claim
- Completed UI-2.6 form (application for adoption benefits)
- Court adoption order confirming the legal adoption
- South African ID of the adoptive parent claiming (original)
- Letter from your employer confirming when adoption leave started and the expected return date
- UI-19 form completed and signed by your employer
- Bank details form (UI-2.8) stamped by your bank
- Most recent three payslips
Apply as early as possible. The UIF recommends submitting your application at the start of your adoption leave. Benefits can be backdated to the start of leave once approved.
How to Apply for Adoption Benefits
- Obtain the court adoption order once the adoption is formalised
- Notify your employer and agree on the start date of your adoption leave
- Obtain a completed UI-19 form and a letter confirming your leave from your employer
- Register on uFiling at www.ufiling.co.za or visit your nearest labour centre
- Complete the UI-2.6 adoption benefits application form
- Submit the form with all required supporting documents
- Await confirmation. Payments are made every 4 weeks into your bank account
You cannot claim both adoption benefits and maternity benefits simultaneously. If you are a biological parent, maternity or paternity leave applies. If you are an adoptive parent, adoption benefits apply.
Can Both Adoptive Parents Claim?
If both adoptive parents are employed and UIF contributors, only one parent can claim adoption benefits (the primary caregiver parent). The other parent may be entitled to parental leave benefits under a separate UIF benefit category.
The non-primary adoptive parent can claim 10 days of paid parental leave under the Basic Conditions of Employment Act. UIF parental benefits follow the same IRR calculation.
Adoption of Children Older Than Two Years
UIF adoption benefits apply only where the child is under two years of age at the date of adoption. If you adopt an older child, you are still entitled to adoption leave under the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, but UIF adoption benefits will not apply.
You may still qualify for parental leave benefits from the UIF in this scenario. Consult a labour centre or call 080 003 0007 for guidance on your specific situation.