COVID-19 TERS means the Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme. UIF introduced this pandemic income-relief measure in March 2020, rather than December 2019. It was financed by UIF and was not a withdrawal from each worker’s personal UIF savings account. This guide concerns historical COVID-19 claims, not an announced 2026 application round.
COVID-19 TERS supported eligible workers who lost income during specified pandemic periods. The categories below relate to those historical directives and are not current eligibility for a new claim period.
- They were not permitted to start operations either fully or partially according to the regulations that were published.
- Those who were not able to make alternative arrangements for vulnerable employees to work from home or take other measures.
- Unable to make use of their services either fully or partially due to the introduction of the shift system, limiting the number of workers at the workplace, and other measures taken in compliance with the regulations put in place to stop the spread of COVID-19.
- It also extends to employees who have had to quarantine themselves or self-isolate.
- Employees who are aged 60 and above who cannot be accommodated at the workplace are eligible for this benefit.
Those who are not eligible for the TERS benefits are:
- Employees who still receive their full income or salary are not eligible to benefit from TERS
- The scheme does not subsidize an employee’s payroll
For an outstanding historical claim, eligibility depends on the relevant claim period, directive and UIF records. Ask UIF what corrections or supporting information it requires; do not assume a fresh application window is open.
The ordinary TERS workplace-support programme and the special COVID-19 scheme have different rules. A sustainability programme is not a universal extra eligibility test for every historical COVID-19 claim.
Use the Department of Employment and Labour’s official online-services page for the current COVID-19 TERS link or support route. Keep your claim and payment records.
UIF may request the following documents when resolving a historical employer claim:
- A signed approval or an acceptance letter
- A current bank confirmation letter
- Proof of payment to employees for previous benefits claimed and received for the prior period. This could be an EFT, payroll report or pay recon.
- Proof of refund to the UIF
- And a letter of authority.
The following describes the former first-time registration process; it does not establish that new COVID-19 applications are currently accepted:
- Activate your profile online on the official website. The website URL is https://www.labour.gov.za/Online-Tools/Pages/default.aspx
- Follow the instructions as they appear
- Then you will be required to sign an electronic MOA (memorandum of agreement) and letter of undertaking
- Then upload your bank confirmation letter as well
How to Check your UIF TERS Payment Status
After submitting your application, it is important that you check and track the process of your TERS application.
Step 1: Log in
Use the official UIF online-services link for any available historical COVID-19 claim facility. Enter credentials only on the verified government service.
Step 2: how to check your status
Check the claim’s status, payment report and any error or decline reason. A zero amount alone does not explain the outcome; it may require correction or further investigation.
Step 3: get the payment report.
As an employer, when you have checked your application status, you can then decide to get a payment report to be able to know which of your employees have been paid and which have been rejected. You can do this by clicking on the payment breakdown report in the menu bar.
Click on the green successful payment button, and you will be provided with a letter that you will need to download as a sign as proof of payment of funds.
Click on the red decline payment button, and a list of declined employees will appear.
For unresolved claims, use current UIF contact details at labour.gov.za. Do not rely on an old dedicated hotline without confirming it.
Also Read: UIF TERS Application: A Step by Step Guide to Applying For TERS Benefits
How do you receive Ters Payments?
In case you are wondering why your payouts were not as much as you were expecting, this should help you understand how payouts are calculated and how you can receive your TERS payments.
Historical UIF guidance used a 38%–60% income-replacement scale and a monthly earnings ceiling of R17,712, with a maximum benefit of R6,730.56 for the period described. These are historical COVID-19 figures, not current ordinary UIF benefit limits or a guaranteed payment.
Historical COVID-19 TERS payments could be made through employers or directly to workers, depending on the arrangements and claim. Confirm the actual payee, payment report and any employer obligations with UIF; direct employee payment was not universal.
Accurate, verified bank details and resolution of claim errors are required before payment. A matching bank account alone does not guarantee claim approval.
