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If you work on a fixed-term contract, you are still covered by UIF. Learn what happens when your contract ends and how to claim.
Last updated: 2025-01-15
Fixed-term and contract workers often assume they are not covered by UIF, but that is a myth. If UIF was deducted from your pay, you are a contributor and you can claim when your contract ends. Understanding your rights helps you claim with confidence.
This article explains how UIF applies to fixed-term contracts and what to do when a contract expires.
UIF applies to most employees who work more than 24 hours a month, including those on fixed-term contracts. As long as contributions were deducted and declared, you build up credits just like a permanent employee.
The expiry of a fixed-term contract is recorded as termination code 4 on the UI19, which qualifies for an unemployment claim.
If your contract is renewed, you keep contributing and building credits. If you work a series of contracts with gaps, you can claim between them when you are genuinely unemployed, as long as you have credits available.
Yes. If UIF was deducted and declared, fixed-term contract workers can claim unemployment benefits when their contract ends.
Contract expiry is usually recorded as code 4 on the UI19, which qualifies for an unemployment claim.
You keep contributing and building credits with each renewal. You can claim during a genuine period of unemployment between contracts if you have credits.
Fixed-term contract workers have the same UIF rights as permanent staff when contributions are paid. When a contract ends, get a UI19 with the correct expiry code, prepare your documents and claim within 12 months. Do not let the "contract worker" label stop you from claiming benefits you have earned.