Yes, the UIF does have an official USSD code: *134*843#. Unlike the many made-up codes that float around online, this one was launched by the Department of Employment and Labour itself. The catch is that the UIF moved its claims to a new system in 2025 and 2026, and the department has not said whether the code still works the same way since then.
Where the code came from
The department launched *134*843# on 4 September 2023, together with a zero-rated UIF mobile app, so that claimants without data could reach the UIF from any cellphone at no cost. The code, the app and uFiling went offline in late August 2024 and the minister announced their restoration on 17 October 2024. According to the launch statement and the UIF’s call-centre FAQ, the menu let you check the status of a claim and of a payment, and submit your four-weekly continuation of payment (option 4 on the menu at the time).
Does it still work after the move to UIF Online?
UIF Online went live on 1 April 2025, and the old uFiling portal stopped taking employee claims on 20 May 2026. The department’s May 2026 statements describe mobile access as a second phase that was still being piloted, and they say nothing specific about the USSD code. We have not been able to confirm that the code returns current claim information for claims lodged on UIF Online. Dialling it costs nothing, so it is worth a try, but if the menu fails, times out or shows nothing for a recent claim, don’t keep retrying for days. Use one of the routes below instead.
Be careful with other codes. Any code other than *134*843# that claims to show your UIF status or balance does not appear in any department statement, and some sites invent codes simply to attract searches.
No data? Other free ways to get an answer
- Phone the call centre on the toll-free number 0800 030 007. Our phone status guide covers the hours and what to have ready.
- Go to a labour centre with your ID. Staff can look up the claim and tell you which documents are missing.
- Use free Wi-Fi at a library or community centre to log in to UIF Online, which shows claim progress in real time. The online status check guide explains the steps.
WhatsApp is not on that list on purpose: no official UIF WhatsApp service has been confirmed, as our page on WhatsApp status checks explains. And if what you really want is your balance of credit days rather than a status, see checking your UIF balance.