UIF (Unemployment Insurance Fund) payments in South Africa, including maternity benefits, are typically paid in installments rather than as a lump sum.
Maternity benefits provided by the UIF are paid out over the approved duration of your maternity leave, which can last up to 26 weeks (approximately 6.5 months). The payments are made periodically, usually on a monthly basis, directly into the bank account that you provided when you submitted your claim.
These payments are meant to replace a portion of your regular income while you are on maternity leave. The UIF calculates the benefit amount based on a percentage of your average monthly earnings, subject to certain maximum and minimum thresholds set by the UIF.
While the benefit payments are not issued as a single lump sum, they are distributed regularly throughout the approved duration of your maternity leave to provide ongoing financial support during that period.