UIF Office Gqeberha - Hours & Contacts

Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) is the automotive and logistics capital of the Eastern Cape, employing large numbers of factory, maritime, and service-sector workers. The UIF (Unemployment Insurance Fund) office serves a wide metro catchment covering Uitenhage, Despatch, and surrounding areas. This guide covers branch access, document packs by claim type, and tactics to get your claim resolved without repeat visits.

UIF Office - Gqeberha Central

Location:

• Address: 115 Main Street, Gqeberha, 6001
• Area: Gqeberha CBD
• Province: Eastern Cape

Contact Details:

• Phone: 041 506 5000
• Fax: 041 506 5001
• Email: pe.central@labour.gov.za
• Call Centre: 0800 030 007 (toll-free)

Operating Hours:

• Monday to Thursday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
• Friday: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
• Weekends: Closed
• Public Holidays: Closed

Services Offered:

• UIF benefit applications
• Claim status inquiries
• Document submission
• Payment inquiries
• Employer registration
• uFiling assistance

Getting to the Office

Public Transportation:

• Algoa Bus: Routes serve Main Street and the CBD
• Taxi: Multiple ranks in the Gqeberha CBD, with services from Uitenhage, KwaNobuhle, and Motherwell

Parking:

• Street parking on Main Street
• Paid parking lots nearby in the CBD

Services Available

For Employees:

• Unemployment, maternity, illness, and death benefit applications
• Status and payment inquiries
• Document submission and form assistance
• uFiling setup and support

For Employers:

• UIF employer and employee registration
• Monthly declaration submission
• Compliance and penalty resolution
• uFiling account management

Appointment Booking

• Online: Department of Labour website
• Phone: 0800 030 007
• Walk-in: accepted — arrive early to manage queue time

Gqeberha serves a large Eastern Cape metro population. Book an appointment to avoid long walk-in waits.

Online Services via uFiling

www.ufiling.co.za — available 24/7 for:

• New benefit applications
• Status and payment tracking
• Document uploads
• Employer declarations

For status queries and document checks, use uFiling first — it avoids a branch trip entirely.

Metro Visit Planning

Workers from Uitenhage, Despatch, Motherwell, and surrounding areas should plan for a single-outcome visit:

• Arrive before 9:00 AM for the shortest queue.
• Avoid the final week of the month — volume peaks significantly.
• Bring originals and copies of all documents.
• Set one primary goal: claim submission, status follow-up, payment dispute, or employer query.
• Leave with written confirmation of next steps.

Preparation is the single biggest factor in avoiding repeat branch visits.

Document Packs by Service Type

Unemployment Benefit Claim

• South African ID (original plus clear copy)
• UI-2.1 (application) and UI-2.8 (banking details)
• Proof of termination — letter from employer or completed UIF-19
• Active SA bank account in your own name

Maternity Benefit

• UI-2.1, UI-2.8, and UI-2.3 (maternity benefit form)
• Medical confirmation of pregnancy or birth
• Employer confirmation of leave start date

Illness Benefit

• UI-2.1, UI-2.8, and UI-2.2 (signed by a registered medical practitioner)
• Employer confirmation of employment period

Employer Compliance

• UIF employer registration reference
• Payroll records and employee roster
• Declaration and payment confirmation history
• CIPC documents if a new entity

Follow-Up or Dispute

• Claim reference number
• Submission receipts and screenshots
• Payment history and correspondence
• Dated contact log

Common Delays and How to Fix Them

Employer hasn't submitted UI-19

Fix: request it in writing. If the employer refuses, report it to the Department of Labour.

Wrong banking details on file

Fix: complete a new UI-2.8 with correct details at the branch or via uFiling.

Claim approved but payment delayed

Fix: request a payment trace through the call centre with your reference number and ID.

No status update after submission

Fix: confirm reference, check uFiling, then escalate by phone or email with documentation.

Escalation Message Template

Subject: UIF Escalation - [Reference Number]
Branch: Gqeberha
Submission/visit date: [Date]
Issue: [Claim/payment/employer declaration]
Please confirm current status, outstanding items, and expected timeline.

Written, reference-based escalations resolve faster than walk-in queries.

Frequently Asked Questions

I was retrenched from a factory in Uitenhage. Do I go to the Gqeberha office?

Yes. The Gqeberha office serves the Nelson Mandela Bay metro, including Uitenhage and Despatch.

Can I submit my claim online without visiting?

Yes, via www.ufiling.co.za. Some complex cases or corrections may still require a branch visit.

My retrenchment package delays my UIF — is that true?

Severance pay, notice pay, and other compensation may affect when your UIF benefits begin. Check the current rules with the call centre or at the branch.

How do I find out if my contributions were actually paid?

Log into uFiling to see your contribution history, or request a statement from the branch using your ID.

Related Guidance

• Explore related guidance: Category hub
• Use our practical tools: Free checker/calculator

Official References

• Department of Employment and Labour (official channels and notices)

Last Reviewed

Last reviewed: 2026-03-03. Information can change; verify against official channels.