Amended Unemployment Insurance (UIF) Act

(1)           (a)     Application for illness benefits must be made personally in the prescribed form at an employment office.

(b) If the contributor cannot lodge the application personally, the claims officer may authorise any other person to lodge the application on behalf of the applicant.
 

(2)           The application for illness benefits must be made within six months of the commencement of the period of illness, but the Commissioner may accept an application made after the six-month time limit has expired on good cause shown.

(3)           The claims officer must investigate the application and, if necessary, request any further information regarding the period that the applicant was not working or received reduced remuneration as a result of the illness.

(4)           If the application complies with the provisions of this Chapter, the claims officer must—

(a) approve the application;

(b) determine—

(i)         the amount of benefits for purposes of section 13(3);

(ii)        the benefits the applicant is entitled to in terms of section 13(4);

(c)  authorise the payment of the benefits; and

(d) stipulate how the benefits are to be paid.

(5)           If the application does not comply with the provisions of this Chapter, the claims officer must advise the applicant in writing that the application is defective and of the reasons why it is defective.