GEPF Claims

This blog post will walk you through the essentials of GEPF claims, including processing times, contact information, and what to do if you have unclaimed benefits.

How Long Does a GEPF Claim Take?

The GEPF is committed to processing your claim efficiently. Once you have submitted all the necessary documentation, the claim will typically take no longer than 60 days to process. It is essential to ensure that all information and documents are correct to avoid delays. Keeping track of your claim’s status can help you receive your pension income promptly.

How to Contact GEPF About a Claim

If you have any queries regarding your claim, it’s best to reach out to the GEPF Call Centre at 0800 117 669. To save time and money, you don’t need to travel all the way to Pretoria. The GEPF has offices in all provinces, offering the same quality of service you would receive at their headquarters.

What Are Unclaimed Benefits?

Unclaimed benefits refer to pension funds that have not been paid out to members or their beneficiaries within 24 months of the member’s last day of service. These benefits can accumulate for various reasons, such as:

  • Missing or incorrect exit documents (Z102 forms) submitted when leaving the Fund.
  • The inability of GEPF to obtain a tax directive from SARS due to unresolved tax issues, such as unregistered tax status or pending tax returns.
  • Payments being returned due to incorrect banking details, frozen or dormant accounts, or incorrect pay points.
  • Insufficient information regarding the deceased member’s spouse or beneficiaries, preventing the distribution of benefits.

Who Can Claim Unclaimed Benefits?

Unclaimed benefits can be accessed by:

  1. Retired GEPF members and those who are no longer in service.
  2. Beneficiaries of deceased GEPF members or those no longer in service.
  3. Guardians of the beneficiaries of GEPF members.

Steps to Access Unclaimed Benefits

To find out if you have unclaimed benefits, you can check the Unclaimed Benefits List for your province. Here’s how you can get started:

  • Eastern Cape
  • Free State
  • Gauteng
  • KwaZulu-Natal
  • Limpopo
  • Mpumalanga
  • Northern Cape
  • North West
  • Western Cape

If you find that you have unclaimed benefits or if you have further questions, don’t hesitate to contact GEPF through their dedicated channels.

GEPF Contact Information

For any inquiries regarding claims or unclaimed benefits, you can reach out to the GEPF using the following contact details:

Overview of Public Universities in South Africa

Here's an overview of some public universities in South Africa, including general admissions requirements and estimated application periods. Keep in mind, specific program requirements and dates can vary significantly, so it's important to check each university's official website for the most current information.

University of Pretoria

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with minimum scores in specific subjects related to the chosen program; for international students, equivalent qualifications.
  • Application Period: Usually opens in March and closes at the end of July for most programs.

University of Cape Town

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with pass levels required for degree study; subject-specific requirements depending on the program.
  • Application Period: Application opens in April and closes at the end of July.

Stellenbosch University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required marks; some programs have additional testing.
  • Application Period: Opens in March and typically closes at the end of June.

University of the Witwatersrand

  • Admissions Requirements: Matriculation certificate with university exemption; required scores vary by faculty.
  • Application Period: Begins in March and ends on the 30th of September.

University of Johannesburg

  • Admissions Requirements: Matric exemption with a minimum APS score; specific subject requirements based on the faculty.
  • Application Period: Opens in April and generally closes by the 30th of September.

University of the Free State

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific marks for the program applied to; additional requirements for certain courses.
  • Application Period: Typically opens in April and closes at the end of August.

University of Venda

  • Admissions Requirements: Completion of the National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for diploma or degree studies; specific APS scores needed.
  • Application Period: Usually from May to September.

University of Fort Hare

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; certain programs may have specific requirements.
  • Application Period: Opens around May and closes at the end of September.

University of the Western Cape

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific performance levels; additional requirements for certain programs.
  • Application Period: Generally from May to September.

North-West University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; program-specific requirements may apply.
  • Application Period: Opens in March and usually closes by the end of August.

Rhodes University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate or equivalent; minimum academic performance in certain subjects.
  • Application Period: Applications open in April and close at the end of September.

Nelson Mandela University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; portfolio or additional tests for some faculties.
  • Application Period: Opens in April, with a deadline at the end of August for most programs.

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores; additional requirements for certain courses.
  • Application Period: Opens in May and typically closes by the end of September.

University of Limpopo

  • Admissions Requirements: Senior Certificate with endorsement for diploma or degree courses; specific APS scores for different programs.
  • Application Period: From April to September.

University of Zululand

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for bachelor’s degree studies; specific score requirements for various programs.
  • Application Period: Usually between April and November.

Central University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores for the chosen field of study; additional criteria for certain programs.
  • Application Period: Application period generally starts in May and ends in October.

Vaal University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with a pass that qualifies for admission to bachelor’s degree, diploma, or higher certificate programs.
  • Application Period: Typically from May to September.

Walter Sisulu University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; additional criteria for certain faculties.
  • Application Period: From April to September.

This list provides a starting point for understanding the admissions landscape across South Africa's diverse higher education institutions. Given the variability in programs and requirements, it's crucial to consult each university's website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.