UIF Registered (uif_registered) — What It Means, How to Fix It and How to Appeal (not_uif_registered)
At a Glance: UIF Registered Decline — What To Do First
Check whether you are actually receiving UIF payments by contacting the Department of Labour. If you are not receiving UIF, you have grounds to appeal using the not_uif_registered option on the SRD appeals portal. If you are receiving UIF, the decline is correct and you do not qualify for SRD for that month.
What UIF Registered Means on the SRD Portal
When your SRD status shows UIF Registered, SASSA’s automated check found your ID number linked to the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) database for that specific assessed month. Because UIF is a form of government income support, any active UIF link on your ID makes you ineligible for the SRD grant for that month.
The wording appears differently depending on which portal you are using:
SRD status portal (srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/status): UIF Registered
SRD appeals portal (srd.sassa.gov.za/appeals/appeal): uif_registered
Your appeal reason on the appeals portal: not_uif_registered
Being UIF Registered does not always mean you are actively receiving UIF payments. The database check looks at registration and record status, not actual payment status. This is one of the most common causes of incorrect SRD declines.
UIF Follow-Up: Confirm What UIF Record Applies to Your Assessed Month
Before appealing, confirm what the UIF database actually shows for your ID for the specific month that was declined. You need month-specific confirmation, not a general status letter, because ITSAA reviews your appeal against the assessed month only.
Contact the Department of Labour and request written confirmation of your UIF status for the relevant month. Specify the exact month in your request so the response is useful for your appeal.
What to Include So UIF Can Respond Faster
Your full name exactly as it appears on your ID. Your 13-digit ID number. The specific month and year you are requesting confirmation for. A clear statement that you require written confirmation of whether you were registered as an active UIF beneficiary and whether any UIF payments were made to you during that month.
Copy and Paste Email Template
Subject: UIF Status Confirmation Request — [Your ID Number] — [Month and Year]
Dear Department of Employment and Labour,
I am writing to request written confirmation of my UIF status for [Month Year]. My SRD R370 grant application was declined for this month with the reason UIF Registered. I believe this may be an error and require official confirmation to support my appeal.
Full name: [Your full name] ID number: [Your 13-digit ID number] Month in question: [Month and Year]
Please confirm whether I was registered as an active UIF beneficiary during this period and whether any UIF payments were disbursed to me. I require this confirmation in writing for submission to ITSAA as supporting evidence.
Thank you.
UIF Contact Channels
Website: uif.labour.gov.za
Email: labour.helpdesk@labour.gov.za
Telephone: 0800 030 007 (free, Monday to Friday)
In person: your nearest Department of Employment and Labour office with your ID document.
Common Causes Behind This SRD Decline
Your previous employer never updated your UIF status. When employment ends, employers are required to update the Department of Labour to reflect termination. Many do not, leaving former employees appearing as active UIF contributors long after employment ended.
You contributed to UIF in a previous job. Contributions to UIF while employed are compulsory. A past contribution record can sometimes trigger this flag even if your contributions have lapsed and you are not claiming.
You submitted a UIF claim that was registered but not fully paid. If you applied for UIF after job loss, your claim may appear in the system even if payments never came through or have since stopped.
An administrative error in the UIF database. Incorrect ID linkages and outdated records are not uncommon. Your ID may be linked to a record that does not reflect your actual situation.
Your UIF claim ended but the record was not closed. Once UIF payments stop, the record should be closed. If it remains open in the system, SASSA’s check will still flag it.
Fast Checks and Fixes Before You Appeal
Check your bank statement for the assessed month. UIF payments appear as identifiable deposits from the Department of Labour. If none appear, your bank statement already supports your appeal.
Log in to uif.labour.gov.za to check your UIF status online. If it shows no active claim or no payments for the assessed month, note this and request written confirmation.
Contact your previous employer if you suspect they failed to update your employment status in the UIF system. Ask them to submit the correct termination records to the Department of Labour.
Portal Appeal Option for This Status: not_uif_registered
Once you have confirmed that the UIF link is incorrect for the assessed month, you are ready to appeal. The appeal reason to select on the SRD appeals portal is not_uif_registered. This directly disputes the uif_registered decline for that specific month.
Evidence Checklist for not_uif_registered
Your evidence must be specific to the month being appealed. Generic or undated documents are unlikely to change the outcome.
UIF status letter from the Department of Labour confirming you were not an active beneficiary during the assessed month. Bank statement for the assessed month showing no UIF deposits. Letter from your previous employer confirming your termination date and that your UIF status should reflect as closed if they failed to update your records. Affidavit from a commissioner of oaths confirming you were not receiving UIF during the assessed month, if you cannot obtain formal documentation quickly.
Not UIF Registered: Begin Your SRD Appeal
Go to the official SRD appeals portal: srd.sassa.gov.za/appeals/appeal
Enter your ID number and the phone number registered to your SRD application. Request the OTP and enter it to verify your identity. Select the specific month you are appealing — each declined month must be appealed separately even if the reason is the same across multiple months. Select not_uif_registered as your appeal reason. Upload your supporting documents. Accept the declaration and submit. You will receive an SMS confirming your appeal has been received.
Written Appeals for Cases Beyond 90 Days
If the 90-day window has passed, the online portal will block the month you want to appeal. You can still submit a written appeal directly to SASSA.
Download the official SASSA appeal form from sassa.gov.za. Complete the form for the specific declined month. Attach certified copies of your supporting documents. Submit in person at your nearest SASSA office or send by registered post to the SASSA office in your province. Keep proof of submission — a receipt from the SASSA office or your registered post slip — as confirmation that your appeal was received.
Written appeals follow the same review process through ITSAA and carry the same weight as online submissions. Include a covering letter explaining why the online deadline was missed.
If Your SASSA SRD Appeal Is Declined
If ITSAA declines your appeal for the assessed month, the outcome for that month is final through the internal process. You have two remaining options.
Judicial review through the High Court. You have 180 days from the final internal decision to apply for judicial review under the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA). This is a legal process and you would need legal assistance to proceed.
Free legal assistance. Legal Aid South Africa and Black Sash both provide free advice and assistance to grant applicants. Contact them if you believe the decline was incorrect and want to understand your options before pursuing a court process.
Neither route guarantees a different outcome. If UIF records confirm you were actively receiving UIF during the assessed month, the original decline is likely to stand.
Tips and Scam Awareness for UIF Registered Declines
Practical Tips That Improve Outcomes
Request month-specific confirmation from the Department of Labour rather than a general UIF status letter. ITSAA reviews each month separately and general letters are less persuasive than month-specific documentation.
If this decline recurs in future months after a successful appeal, follow up directly with the Department of Labour to ensure your UIF record has been permanently closed and not just temporarily updated.
Keep copies of all documents submitted with your appeal and note your submission date. If you need to follow up on the appeal outcome, having these details ready speeds up the process.
Contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 if you have not received any SMS update on your appeal after 90 days.
Scam and Fraud Red Flags
SASSA and ITSAA will never ask you to pay a fee to process your appeal or unlock your grant. Anyone contacting you claiming they can fix your UIF Registered status for payment is running a scam. Do not share your OTP, banking PIN, or online banking password with anyone. The official appeals portal is srd.sassa.gov.za/appeals/appeal — do not submit documents or personal details on any other site.
Summary: What To Do If You Are Declined for UIF Registered
Check whether you are actually receiving UIF payments using uif.labour.gov.za or by visiting the Department of Labour. If you are not receiving UIF, request a month-specific confirmation letter. Gather your bank statement for the assessed month showing no UIF deposits. Submit your appeal at srd.sassa.gov.za/appeals/appeal selecting not_uif_registered within 90 days. If beyond 90 days, submit a written appeal at your nearest SASSA office. If your appeal is declined and you believe the decision is wrong, contact Legal Aid South Africa or Black Sash for free advice.
UIF Registered FAQs
Does UIF Registered mean I am receiving UIF money? Not necessarily. It means your ID appears linked to the UIF database. Many people are incorrectly flagged because of old employment records even though they have not received any UIF payments.
Can I receive both UIF and the SRD grant at the same time? No. If you are actively receiving UIF payments you do not qualify for the SRD grant during that period.
My UIF ended months ago. Why am I still being declined? If your UIF claim ended but the Department of Labour record was not closed, SASSA’s system may still flag you. Request a UIF status letter confirming your claim has ended and include it in your appeal.
What is the appeal reason I should select? Select not_uif_registered on the SRD appeals portal. This is the correct appeal reason for disputing a uif_registered decline.
How long do I have to appeal online? 90 days from the date of the decline. After 90 days the online portal blocks that month but you can still appeal in writing at a SASSA office.
My employer never registered me for UIF. Can I still be declined for this? If your employer never registered you with UIF, you should not appear in the UIF database. If you are still seeing this decline, visit the Department of Labour office with your ID to investigate and obtain written confirmation.
Official References
SRD status portal: srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/status
SRD appeals portal: srd.sassa.gov.za/appeals/appeal
UIF status check: uif.labour.gov.za
Department of Employment and Labour: labour.gov.za
SASSA helpline: 0800 60 10 11 (free, Monday to Friday)
Black Sash: blacksash.org.za
Legal Aid South Africa: legal-aid.co.za
Information on this page is sourced from official SASSA announcements and verified against www.sassa.gov.za. For official queries contact SASSA directly at www.sassa.gov.za or call 0800 60 10 11.
