UI-2.8 UIF Banking Details Form FAQ
Last updated: 14 April 2026
Everything you need to know about the UI-2.8 UIF banking details form. Find answers about bank account requirements, branch codes, account types, and how UIF pays your benefits.
What is the UI-2.8 form and who needs to fill it?
The UI-2.8, officially titled "Authorisation to Pay Benefits into Banking Account", is the UIF form used by employees to authorise the Unemployment Insurance Fund to deposit benefit payments directly into their bank account. Every person claiming UIF benefits — unemployment, illness, maternity, adoption, or dependant's benefits — must complete a UI-2.8. Without it, the UIF cannot process your payment even if your claim is approved.
Is the UI-2.8 filled in by the employer or the employee?
The UI-2.8 is filled in by the employee (the person claiming benefits), not the employer. You provide your own banking details and sign the authorisation. The employer's responsibility is the UI-19 (registration) and UI-2.7 (remuneration record). The UI-2.8 is your form — it tells the UIF where to pay your money.
What bank details do I need for the UI-2.8?
You need: the full name of your bank, the universal branch code, your account number, and the type of account (Savings or Cheque/Current). Universal branch codes for major SA banks: Capitec 470010, FNB 250655, Standard Bank 051001, ABSA 632005, Nedbank 198765. You also need a bank statement (not older than 3 months) or a bank confirmation letter as proof.
What is a universal branch code and where do I find it?
A universal branch code is a single code that represents all branches of a bank nationwide. South African banks moved from branch-specific codes to universal codes several years ago. The universal branch codes are: Capitec 470010, FNB 250655, Standard Bank 051001, ABSA 632005, Nedbank 198765, African Bank 430000, TymeBank 678910, Bank Zero 888000. You can find your bank's universal code on your bank statement, your banking app, or by calling your bank.
Can I use someone else's bank account on the UI-2.8?
No. The UIF requires that benefits are paid into an account held in the claimant's own name. You cannot use a spouse's, relative's, or friend's account. Joint accounts are also generally not accepted. If you do not have a bank account, most South African banks offer basic or zero-fee accounts that you can open with just your ID document. Capitec, TymeBank, and Bank Zero are popular options with no monthly fees.
What documents must I attach with the UI-2.8?
You must attach proof of your banking details: either a bank statement not older than 3 months, or a bank confirmation letter from your bank. The proof must clearly show your full name (matching your ID), your account number, and the branch code. Most SA banks let you download a confirmation letter for free from their banking app — check under "Documents" or "Statements" in your Capitec, FNB, Standard Bank, ABSA, or Nedbank app.
What if I change banks after submitting the UI-2.8?
If you change your bank account while receiving UIF benefits, you must submit a new UI-2.8 form with your updated banking details at a Department of Employment and Labour office. Do this before your next payment is due — otherwise the UIF will attempt to pay into your old account, and a failed payment causes significant delays (often 4 to 8 weeks to resolve).
How long after submitting the UI-2.8 will I receive payment?
The UI-2.8 is submitted as part of your complete UIF claim package (together with the UI-2.1, UI-2.7, and ID document). After your claim is approved, benefits are typically paid within 6 to 8 weeks. The payment goes directly into the bank account specified on your UI-2.8. You can check your claim and payment status on the uFiling portal (ufiling.labour.gov.za) or by calling 012 337 1600.
What types of UIF benefits can be paid into my account via the UI-2.8?
The UI-2.8 authorises the UIF to pay any type of benefit into your bank account: unemployment benefits (after retrenchment, dismissal, or contract expiry), illness benefits (off work for more than 14 days due to illness), maternity benefits (up to 17.32 weeks), adoption benefits (for workers who adopt a child under 2), and dependant's benefits (paid to dependants of a deceased contributor). The same UI-2.8 covers all benefit types.
What are the most common mistakes on the UI-2.8?
The most common mistakes are: using a branch-specific code instead of the universal branch code (e.g. writing an old Capitec branch code instead of 470010), transposing digits in the account number, using an account that is not in the claimant's name, not attaching proof of banking details, and leaving the form unsigned. Our FillMeIn tool validates branch codes and account details to help prevent these errors.
Is my banking information safe when using FillMeIn to fill the UI-2.8?
Yes. FillMeIn processes all data entirely on your device. Your bank account number, branch code, ID number, and all other details entered on the form never leave your phone or computer — nothing is sent to our servers or stored in the cloud. This privacy-first approach means your sensitive banking and identity information stays completely under your control.