Pioneering Partnership: ABSA and UIF Revolutionize Unemployment Benefits Access

Streamlining Unemployment Benefit Claims

In an effort to enhance the lives of communities, ABSA and the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) have joined forces to launch a groundbreaking solution that simplifies the process of claiming unemployment benefits. By offering pre-filled UIF UI-2.8 unemployment forms at ABSA ATMs, this collaboration aims to decrease travel and time expenses for jobless customers.

Previously, clients had to stand in line at a bank branch and a Labour Centre to process their unemployment benefits. However, this trailblazing innovation enables ABSA customers to acquire application forms around-the-clock from ABSA ATMs. Since the beginning of 2023, over 10,000 UI-2.8 application forms have been distributed through ABSA ATMs.

Tshiwela Mhlantla, Managing Executive of Physical Channels at ABSA Everyday Banking, expressed her pleasure in collaborating with UIF. She stressed the significance of streamlining the process for clients to access unemployment funds in a respectable manner. This initiative is in line with ABSA’s dedication to being a Force for Good and empowering Africa’s future.

Leveraging Technology for Enhanced Customer Experience

Teboho Maruping, UIF Commissioner, voiced his enthusiasm about the partnership and the inventive approach to further accelerate UIF applications while conserving clients’ time and transportation expenses. He underscored UIF’s bold measures to make benefit claims more accessible and quicker by capitalizing on technology and establishing strategic partnerships with the private sector. UIF has set up free Wi-Fi at all Labour Centres nationwide and deployed mobile buses to deliver services to customers in rural and remote locations.

The UIF has also recently introduced a complimentary Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) and Mobile Application (APP) to enable clients to access UIF services from their homes. This development ensures a heightened service offering and customer experience. The automated service provided by ABSA Bank lends momentum to UIF’s uFiling online system and contributes positively to the achievement of the National Development Plan (NDP) goals.

In a bid to be eco-friendly, ABSA’s ATMs are designed to give customers the choice to email the form to themselves. If email facilities are not available, clients can opt to print the form at the ATM. This service is provided at no cost to ABSA account holders.

Reinventing ATMs and Fostering Collaboration

ABSA has taken the exceptional measure of modifying its ATM printing capability to adhere to official UIF form standards while accommodating regular ATM banking needs. Mhlantla stated that this initiative aligns with ABSA’s strategic objective as a digital bank with a compassionate frontline, reconceptualizing ATMs as an extension of physical touchpoints. The partnership with UIF also frees up capacity in ABSA branches to assist with transactions such as enrolling new customers for SASSA payments.

The innovative partnership between ABSA and UIF exemplifies a successful collaboration between the private and public sectors. By simplifying the process of claiming unemployment benefits, this initiative empowers individuals and contributes to the overall growth and advancement of the nation. As technology continues to progress, it is essential for organizations to embrace these developments and utilize them to offer customer-focused solutions that leave a lasting positive impact on communities.