Labour, UIF & Compensation Fund
How to Claim From the Compensation Fund (COIDA) in South Africa
What to do after an injury or illness at work in 2026: reporting the accident, the COIDA forms, lodging on CompEasy and getting medical treatment covered.
Quick answer
If you are injured or fall ill because of your work, you claim under COIDA from the Compensation Fund. Report the injury to your employer at once; the employer registers the claim with the Fund, usually on the CompEasy online system, within the legal deadline. You need your ID and medical reports. COIDA claims are free, and you should never be charged to lodge or "release" a claim.
Key points
- COIDA covers work-related injuries, diseases and death; benefits include medical costs and compensation for disability.
- Tell your employer immediately; the employer is responsible for reporting the accident to the Compensation Fund.
- Claims are lodged on the Fund's CompEasy online system, which issues a claim number on receipt.
- A claim number acknowledges receipt only; it does not mean the Fund has accepted liability.
- Forms include an employer's accident report and the notice of accident and claim, plus medical reports; verify current form names officially.
- Domestic workers are covered by COIDA; the deadline to claim was reportedly extended in 2026, so confirm the current period.
Step by step
What COIDA covers
The Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA) protects workers who are injured, fall ill or die because of their work. It is run by the Compensation Fund, part of the Department of Employment and Labour. If you are hurt in an accident at work or develop a disease caused by your job, COIDA is designed to cover reasonable medical costs and to pay compensation for temporary or permanent disability, or to pay a worker’s dependants. The cover extends to domestic workers in private households, who have been brought under the Act.
CluedUp is an independent explainer. We are not the Compensation Fund or the Department of Employment and Labour, and this is not legal advice. Because COIDA was amended recently, confirm the current forms, deadlines and process with the Fund before relying on any detail here.
Report first, claim follows
The process starts with reporting, not paperwork. Get medical help immediately; in an emergency a provider can treat you without waiting for the Fund’s authorisation. Then tell your employer about the injury or work-related illness straight away and make sure it is recorded. Your employer carries the legal duty to report the accident to the Compensation Fund, normally within the deadline after they are notified, even if they dispute how it happened. An unreported injury can leave you exposed for the medical bill, so insist that it is logged.
The forms and CompEasy
A COIDA claim usually involves an employer’s report of the accident and an employee’s notice of accident and claim for compensation, supported by medical reports from your treating doctor. The exact form names and numbers changed with recent amendments and even reputable sources differ, so verify the current prescribed forms on the official site rather than trusting an old template. Employers register and track claims on the Fund’s online system, CompEasy, which allocates a claim number on receipt. Keep that number: you and your medical providers will quote it on everything.
| Stage | Who acts | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Report injury | You, to your employer | Do it immediately |
| Register claim | Employer, on CompEasy | Within the legal deadline |
| Medical reports | Your doctor | Initial and follow-up |
| Assessment | Compensation Fund | Decides liability |
What the claim number means
A common misunderstanding is that a claim number means the claim is approved. It does not. The number simply acknowledges that the Fund received the report. Acceptance of liability follows the Fund’s assessment of the accident report and the medical evidence, which is why timely, accurate medical reports matter so much. You must submit a certified copy of your identity document, or a certified passport if you are a foreign national, and attend any medical assessment the Fund requests.
Deadlines, costs and staying safe
Historically a claim had to be lodged within 12 months, but a 2026 amendment was reported to extend that period. Because this is recent and consequential, confirm the current prescription period with the Compensation Fund rather than assuming, and report any injury at once regardless. Lodging and processing a claim is free: no one legitimate charges to register or “release” a claim, and no one can lawfully guarantee a payout. Reach CompEasy only through the official .gov.za address, never share banking passwords or OTPs, and get free help from the Compensation Fund call centre or a Labour Centre if your claim stalls or your employer will not report it.
⚠ Stay safe
Lodging a COIDA claim is free and is driven by your employer and the Compensation Fund. Beware anyone charging to register, "approve" or fast-track an injury-on-duty claim, and anyone promising a guaranteed payout, which no one can lawfully promise. Fake CompEasy or "compensation" pages may phish for logins and ID documents; reach CompEasy only via the official .gov.za address. Never share banking passwords or OTPs, and get free help from the Compensation Fund call centre or a Labour Centre.
Frequently asked questions
Who lodges the COIDA claim, me or my employer?
Does a claim number mean my claim is approved?
How long do I have to claim?
Which forms do I need?
Are domestic workers covered by COIDA?
Will the Fund pay my medical bills?
Does it cost anything to claim?
Official sources
CluedUp is an independent guide and is not affiliated with any government agency. Fees, links and steps can change — always confirm on the official portal before you act. This is general information, not legal or financial advice.