The short answer
The employer is responsible for refunding any overpayments to the UIF if they have paid an employee more than their normal salary.
The whole question
Dear Athalie
I have been struggling to get my UIF payout since February. When I go to the office to follow up, they send me to home and wait for payment. After much back and forth between me, the UIF head office, and the labour department, I was eventually told they can't process my payment because there was an overpayment. Why did no one tell me this from the start? Someone didn't do their job properly and now I am being punished! How can I resolve this?
I need this money to pay for my daughter's SAQA verification and visa, besides of course food and electricity.
The long answer
Indeed, this is a very frustrating situation. Perhaps you should first compare your payslips with the UIF information to verify the overpayment, and then go to your employer to understand how the overpayment was made and ask if they can help you resolve it.
The employer is responsible for refunding any overpayments to UIF and ensuring the employee does not receive more than their normal salary when UIF benefits are combined with their earnings. If an employer has overpaid an employee, the employer must refund the overpayment to the UIF. The employee then is entitled to receive the correct amount of benefits.
If an employer miscalculates the money due to an employee, which results in overpayment, the employer is entitled to recover the overpayment from the employee.
You could call the UIF call centre at 080 003 0007 / 0800 843 843 to ask what you can do now, and how long the process will take to resolve.
You could also ask an organisation like the Black Sash for advice. The Black Sash gives free paralegal advice. These are their contact details:
Email: [email protected]
Helpline: 072 66 33 73, 072 633 3739 or 063 610 1865.
Wishing you the best,
Athalie
Answered on April 25, 2025, 1:06 p.m.
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