Amended Unemployment Insurance (UIF) Act

(1)           An application for maternity benefits must be made in the prescribed form at an employment office at least eight weeks before childbirth.

(2)           The Commissioner may on good cause shown—

(a) accept an application after the period of eight weeks referred to in subsection (1);

(b) extend the period of submission of the application up to a period of six months after the date of childbirth.

(3)           The claims officer must investigate the application and, if necessary, request further information.

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

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

(c)  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.