What is the UI-2.8 form and where do I get it?

The UI-2.8 ("Authorisation to Pay Benefits into Banking Account") is the official UIF form that authorises the Department of Employment and Labour to deposit your approved benefits directly into your bank account. Fill the Applicant section free online at FillMeIn and download your completed PDF in 2 minutes — then take the printed form to any bank or post office for the Financial Institution section to be completed and stamped. Every UIF claimant must submit a UI-2.8 — without it, the UIF cannot process your payment even if your claim is approved.

Can I get the UI-2.8 form on the Capitec, FNB, or Standard Bank app?

No — the UI-2.8 is a Department of Employment and Labour form and is not available inside any bank app. What bank apps typically provide is a downloadable bank confirmation letter (under "Documents" or "Statements"), which you may bring alongside the stamped UI-2.8 as supplementary proof — it is not a substitute for it. The standard process is: fill the Applicant section on FillMeIn or by hand, take the printed form to your bank or post office so a teller can complete and stamp the Financial Institution section, then submit the stamped form at your Labour Centre. Some offices may also ask for the bank confirmation letter — confirm with your local office in advance.

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 complete the Applicant section — your name, ID number, and your signature authorising the UIF to pay your benefits. The bank completes the Financial Institution section. 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 is the "To be completed by the Financial Institution" section and do I fill it?

The bank completes the Financial Institution section — this is by design. A bank official fills in your account holder name, bank name, branch code, account number, account type, and account status, then signs a declaration that the information is current and complete. The account status (Dormant or Active) can only be confirmed by the bank from their own systems. Your role is the Applicant section: your full name and 13-digit SA ID number on FillMeIn, plus your signature and date on the printed PDF. Take the printed form to any bank or post office — the teller completes and stamps the Financial Institution section before you submit at your Labour Centre.

Do I fill in my own banking details on the UI-2.8, or does the bank?

The bank fills in the banking details — not you. The UI-2.8 has a section headed "To be completed by the Financial Institution (Bank/Post Office)" where the bank official writes your account holder name, bank name, branch code, account number, account type, and account status. The account status (Dormant or Active) can only be confirmed by the bank, which is why the form works this way. Your role is the Applicant section: your full name, ID number, and your signature authorising the UIF to pay into that account. Bring your printed UI-2.8 and SA ID to any bank or post office — the teller completes and stamps the Financial Institution section before you submit the form at your Labour Centre.

What should I bring to the bank when I get the UI-2.8 stamped?

Bring: the printed UI-2.8 with your Applicant section already filled in (name, ID, signature, date) and your original South African ID document. The bank teller looks up your account on their system and writes the account details directly onto the form — you do not dictate the account number. Useful backup: have your most recent bank statement or a bank confirmation letter from your banking app on hand, in case the teller asks for something to cross-reference. Universal branch codes for the major SA banks (if the teller asks you to confirm): Capitec 470010, FNB 250655, Standard Bank 051001, ABSA 632005, Nedbank 198765, TymeBank 678910, African Bank 430000.

What is a universal branch code (and do I need to know it for the UI-2.8)?

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. For the UI-2.8 specifically, the bank teller writes the branch code on the form themselves — you do not need to fill it in. Useful to know anyway so you can confirm the teller has the right code for your account.

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 go with the UI-2.8 when I submit to the Labour Centre?

Per UIF policy (uFiling User Guide + Basic Guide to the UIF), the UI-2.8 itself — with the Financial Institution section completed and stamped by your bank — is the required banking document. Submit it together with your UI-2.1 application and your South African ID. Some Labour Centres in practice also ask for a recent bank statement or a bank confirmation letter (downloadable from your banking app) as supplementary proof; this is not official policy but comes up often enough that it is worth phoning your local Labour Centre to confirm before submitting.

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: transposing digits in the account number (the bank teller fills this in — double-check before leaving the branch), using an account that is not in the claimant's own name, not attaching proof of banking details, and leaving the Applicant section unsigned. FillMeIn pre-fills your name and ID number and generates a clean, legible PDF — reducing the risk of name mismatches and ensuring your Applicant section is complete before you take the form to the bank.

Is my banking information safe when using FillMeIn to fill the UI-2.8?

Yes. FillMeIn processes all data entirely on your device. Your ID number and name entered into FillMeIn never leave your phone or computer — nothing is sent to our servers or stored in the cloud. FillMeIn only collects the Applicant section fields (name and ID); your banking details are completed by the bank teller directly on the printed form and are never entered into this tool.

UI-2.8 — Authorisation to Pay Benefits into Banking Account

Department of Employment and Labour · Verified 21 July 2026

The UI-2.8 authorises the UIF to pay your approved benefits into your bank account.

Key facts (3)

Official source: labour.gov.za
Processing time: Processing of UIF benefits typically takes 2 to 8 weeks from the date of submission
Submit to: Department of Employment and Labour office nearest to your place of residence