Urgent update: COVID-19 Temporary Employer / Employee Relief Scheme (“TERS”) August / September 2020 applications

by Jacques van Wyk, Director; Andre van Heerden, Senior Associate; and Thabisa Yantolo, Candidate Attorney

The TERS applications for the period 16 August to 15 September 2020 are now open. Applications may be made on the online portal at: https://uifecc.labour.gov.za/covid19/.

On 30 September 2020 the Department of Employment and Labour (“Department“) published a statement on the processing of the Covid-19 TERS claims.

In the statement, the following information was provided;

1. When applying for the August/September period the following documents must be submitted –
   a. signed approval or acceptance letter;
   b. bank confirmation letter;
   c. proof of payment to employees; and
   d. proof of refund, if applicable.

2. The applications will be vetted by external partners.  Applications by foreign nations will be vetted by the Department of Home Affairs for vetting.
   
3. Payments will be made once the vetting process has been completed.
   
4. April and May applications closed on 25 September 2020, June applications will close on 15 October 2020 and July/August applications will close on 30 October 2020.
   
5. The application process will remain the same for the August/September 2020 period and all claims must be made through the online portal.

The full statement may be accessed at: http://www.labour.gov.za/uif-to-process-covid-19-ters-claims-for-september-period-from-thursday-as-payments-hit-r45-billion.