According to the department, almost half of the more than R14-billion paid out so far, has been paid to 1 186 833 workers in the province via 79 271 employers.

The Northern Cape had the least number of claimants with R140-million paid to the province for 25 155 workers represented by 2 972 employers.

KwaZulu-Natal is the third largest recipient with over R2.1-billion paid to 409 775 workers as claimed by 29 988 employers, while fourth spot is the Eastern Cape with R782-million distributed to 146 189 workers in the province represented by 13 163 employers.

They are closely followed by Mpumalanga with 145 046 workers represented by 10 991 employers being handed R760-million in cash benefits, Free State with 90 553 workers represented by 10 240 employers who in total claimed R477-million, Limpopo with 73 001 workers getting their share via 6 993 employers totalling R372-million and the North West is second last with R93-million distributed there for 69 041 workers who had their applications submitted by 6 536 employers.

According to Commissioner Teboho Maruping, employers still have until the end of May to address queries where the UIF has reverted to them with regard to incomplete information.