The extended TERS relief has been extended and applies to the period of 16 October 2020 until 15 March 2021.
Currently, the UIF TERS claim portal is only open for Claim Code- Category 1, however, it is the intention of the UIF Department to open Claim Code- Category 2-4 at a date soon to be advised.
CATEGORY 1: Those employees whose employers are not permitted to commence operations, either partially or in full, in terms of the December 2020 regulations. These sectors are:
1. Bars, taverns and shebeens;
2. Beaches, dams, rivers and lakes
3. Casinos;
4. Cinemas;
5. Conferencing, dining, entertainment and bar facilities;
6. Domestic and international air travel;
7. E- hailing services;
8. Gyms and fitness centres;
9. Hotels, lodges, bed and breakfast, timeshare facilities, resorts and guest houses;
10. International sport, arts and cultural events;
11. Museums, galleries, libraries and archives;
12. Night clubs;
13. Passenger ships;
14. Public parks;
15. Rail, bus services and taxi services;
16. Restaurants;
17. Sale, dispensing, distribution and transportation of liquor;
18. Swimming pools;
19. Theatres;
20. Venues hosting auctions;
21. Venues where social events are held;
22. Venues hosting professional sports;
23. Venues hosting concerts and live performances;
24. Any industries that form part of the value chain of the above sectors, as per the discretion of the UIF. Businesses working with the above-listed sectors can also apply for benefits for their employees.
CATEGORY 2. Employees in any sector, not necessarily those listed above, with comorbidities or any other condition that may place the employee at a higher risk than other employees if infected with (COVID-19).
CATEGORY 3. Employees in any sector, not necessarily those listed above, over 60 (Sixty) years old who are at a higher risk of complications or death if infected.
To prove that it is unable to make alternative arrangements for employees over 60 (Sixty) years old or with comorbidities, the employer with:
• More than 50 (Fifty) employees must provide a report from a certified occupational health and safety officer that the employee is not able to be reasonably accommodated, setting out the reasons in full;
• Less than 50 (Fifty) employees must provide the same report or provide an affidavit from the owner or senior manager.
CATEGORY 4. Employers who are unable to allow their employees to work, either fully or partially, because of compliance with (COVID-19) regulations which specifically limit the number of employees at the workplace through rostering, staggering of working hours, short time, and the introduction of a shift system, may claim.
CATEGORY 5. Employees, in any sector, who were quarantined or isolated following a high risk-contact. They need not exhaust their sick leave to claim the benefit. Both employer and employee must each submit an affidavit, stating that the employee had a high-risk contact and attaching any supporting documents required by UIF.
BENEFITS: The usual UIF calculations. If the benefit is less than the minimum wage, it will be increased to the minimum wage.
There is no indication of the TERS benefit extending past 15 March 2021.
