How to Get Your Unemployment Letter from the Department of Labour (South Africa)

By | August 11, 2025
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• Updated 11 August 2025

Need an official unemployment letter (often called a UI-19 or proof of unemployment) for a new job, UIF claim, bank application or SASSA grant? Here’s the fastest, load-shedding-proof way to get it—on your phone or in person.

  1. What the letter actually is
  • UI-19 form – shows your employment dates, reason for termination and UIF contributions.
  • Proof-of-unemployment letter – a short stamped statement issued by the Department of Employment and Labour when you are not yet registered for UIF benefits.
  1. Before you phone or visit
    Have these details ready:
    ☐ 13-digit ID number
    ☐ Last employer’s name, PAYE number and contact person
    ☐ Exact start and end dates of your last job
    ☐ Reason for leaving (retrenchment, contract ended, dismissal, resignation)
    ☐ Cell number and e-mail address
  2. Three ways to request the letter
    A. uFiling (fastest)
  3. Log in at m.ufiling.co.za (zero data on major SA networks).
  4. Tap Employment History → Download UI-19.
  5. Save the PDF to your phone or e-mail it directly to whoever needs it.
    Note: Works only if your employer uploaded the UI-19 to uFiling.

B. WhatsApp (no queues)

  1. Save 060 012 3456 as “DoL UIF”.
  2. Send: “Hi, I need a UI-19/unemployment letter. ID 820101xxxxxxx.”
  3. Follow the auto-menu; an agent replies with next steps or a digital copy within 24 hours.

C. Walk-in (back-up)

  1. Find your nearest Labour Centre on labour.gov.za → Contact Us.
  2. Book an appointment online to skip the queue.
  3. Bring certified ID copy, last payslip and employer contact details.
  4. Ask for a stamped unemployment letter or a print-out of your UI-19; it’s issued on the spot if the file is on the system.
  5. Typical waiting times
  • uFiling download: instant
  • WhatsApp/e-mail: same day to 48 hours
  • Walk-in with appointment: 15 minutes
  • Walk-in without appointment: 1–3 hours (arrive before 08:00)
  1. Double-check the details
  • Spelling of your name and surname
  • Correct ID number
  • Accurate start and end dates
  • Reason for termination matches your records
    If any info is wrong, WhatsApp the Labour Centre with a photo of the letter; they’ll issue a corrected version.
  1. Common SA Google searches
    “UI-19 form download South Africa”
    “Unemployment letter for SASSA”
    “Department of Labour WhatsApp number”
    “Proof of unemployment letter template SA”

Bottom line
If your employer uploaded your UI-19, download it free from uFiling. If not, WhatsApp or book a quick Labour Centre slot. Keep the letter safe—banks, insurers and recruiters ask for it often.

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