Maternity & Leave Top-Up Calculator
If you’re preparing for maternity leave, recovering from an illness, or welcoming a new child through adoption or parental leave, financial planning becomes essential. Knowing exactly how much you’ll receive while on leave and how much you might be eligible to top up can bring peace of mind during a major life change.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about South Africa’s UIF daily benefit system, how the 66% rule works, and how you can use our Maternity, Illness, Parental and Adoption Calculator to get clear, instant answers.
How to Use the Calculator?
Follow these simple steps to get your result:
Step 1: Enter Your Monthly Salary
This should be your regular gross salary before deductions.
Step 2: Enter Your Leave Salary
This is your expected salary while on leave, if your employer provides partial income.
Step 3: Calculate
The tool will show you:
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Your Daily Income
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Your Leave Income per Day
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The Top-Up Amount you may be entitled to
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Whether the cap on UIF benefits affects you
Maternity, Illness, Parental and Adoption Calculator?
This calculator is designed to help you estimate how much daily financial support you are entitled to while on leave, based on your salary and the benefits allowed under South African labour law.
Under the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), employees on maternity, illness, parental, or adoption leave may receive up to 66% of their normal income, subject to a monthly ceiling of R17,712 (as of 2025). This benefit is paid out in the form of a Daily Benefit Amount (DBA).
The calculator helps you:
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Determine your daily income from your normal salary
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Compare that with your reduced income while on leave
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Understand the top-up amount you may receive
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Know whether you’re under or over the UIF benefit cap
How the Daily Benefit Amount (DBA) is Calculated
Let’s break it down.
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The UIF benefit is capped at 66% of your normal salary, with a ceiling of R17,712 per month.
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Even if you earn more than R17,712 monthly, UIF will only consider 66% of R17,712, which equals R11,696 per month, or approximately R32.05 per day.
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Your actual daily income is calculated using your gross monthly salary multiplied by 12, divided by 365.
Example:
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Regular salary = R30,000/month
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Annual = R30,000 × 12 = R360,000
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Daily Income = R360,000 ÷ 365 = R986.30/day
If your leave income is reduced:
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Leave salary = R25,000/month
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Daily Leave Income = (R25,000 × 12) ÷ 365 = R821.92/day
Top-up amount = R986.30 – R821.92 = R164.38
Because R164.38 is less than the UIF capped DBA, you are entitled to receive the full difference as a top-up.
Why This Calculation Matters
Understanding the financial gap during your leave can help you:
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Plan your monthly expenses
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Decide whether to apply for additional financial support
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Talk to your employer about potential top-ups
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Budget for your family’s needs during time off
Taking maternity or illness leave is a life event, not just a legal entitlement. This calculator empowers you to plan wisely, take care of yourself or your family, and return to work with less financial stress.
FAQs
1. Is the UIF benefit taxed?
No, UIF benefits are not taxable. However, your normal salary or top-up paid by the employer may still be taxed depending on your income bracket.
2. Can my employer top up my UIF benefit?
Yes, many employers offer a top-up policy. This means they pay you the difference between your UIF benefit and your regular salary, fully or partially.
3. What is the maximum amount I can receive from UIF?
As of 2025, the ceiling is R17,712 per month, and 66% of that is R11,696/month or about R389.71/day.
4. How long do UIF benefits last for maternity leave?
You may claim for up to 17.32 weeks (121 days) of maternity leave. For illness, adoption, or parental leave, this duration may vary depending on the reason and eligibility.
5. Do I qualify for UIF if I am a freelancer or self-employed?
No, UIF benefits are only available to employees who contribute to the fund. Freelancers and self-employed individuals are not covered unless they have made voluntary contributions.
Whether you’re planning for a baby, recovering from an illness, or welcoming a child into your home, this time should be about your wellbeing—not worrying about money. With the Maternity, Illness, Parental and Adoption Calculator, you get the clarity you need to make informed decisions about your leave and income.