How can I get Esic leave?

What is ESI leave?The Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) scheme under the ESI, Act, 1948 provides social security coverage to workers employed in various factories and establishments, and covers contingencies such as sickness, maternity leave, and physical disablement or death due to employment injury resulting in loss of wages or earning

You can get the ESIC Form-9 to make a Claim in case of Sickness/Temporary Disablement/Maternity Benefit as provided by the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India.

Sickness Benefit under ESI

The ESI scheme was inaugurated in 1952 to help employees with financial assistance during times of sickness, maternity, temporary or permanent disablement, occupational disease or death due to employment injury. One of the major or most used benefits for employees registered with ESI is sickness benefits. In this article, we look at sickness benefit under ESI in detail.

Sickness Benefit

Sickness benefit in the form of periodic cash payments can be provided under the ESI scheme to a employee covered under ESI during period of certified sickness, requiring medical treatment and abstention from work on medical grounds. Sickness benefit at 70% of the average daily wages can be paid under the scheme for 91 days during 2 consecutive benefit periods. To be eligible to receive sickness benefit, the employee covered under ESI must meet the following conditions:

  • The employee covered under ESI should have paid contribution for not less than 78 days during the corresponding contribution period.
  • Employee covered under ESI who has entered into insurable employment for the first time has to wait for nearly 9 months before becoming eligible to sickness benefit, because his corresponding benefit period starts only after that interval.
  • Sickness Benefit is not payable for the first two days of a spell of sickness except in case of a spell commencing within 15 days of closure of earlier spell for which sickness benefit was last paid. This period of 2 days is called “waiting period”.

Extended Sickness Benefit

In case an employee covered under ESI is suffering from long term diseases and experiencing great hardship, then on expiry of 91 days of sickness benefit, extended sickness benefit of upto 2 years can b provided. Hence, extended sickness benefit is available only after exhausting sickness benefit to which an employee may be eligible. Further, to be entitled to the Extended Sickness Benefit the employee should have been in continuous employment for 2 years or more at the beginning of a spell of sickness in which the disease is diagnosed and should also satisfy other contributory conditions. Some of the diseases or conditions that are eligible for extended sickness benefit are:

  1. Infectious Diseases
    • Tuberculosis
    • Leprosy
    • Chronic Empyema
    • AIDS
  2. Neoplasms
    • Malignant Diseases
  3. Endocrine, Nutritional and Metabolic Disorder
    • Diabetes Mellitus-with proliferative retinopathy/diabetic foot/nephropathy.
  4. Disorders of Nervous System
    • Monoplegia
    • Hemiplegia
    • Paraplegia
    • Hemiparesis
    • Intracranial Space Occupying Lesion
    • Spinal Cord Compression
    • Parkinson’s disease
    • Myasthenia Gravis/Neuromuscular Dystrophies
  5. Disease of Eye
    • Immature Cataract with vision 6/60 or less
    • Detachment of Retina
    • Glaucoma
  6. Diseases of Cardiovascular System
    • Coronary Artery Disease like unstable angina or myocardial infraction with ejection less than 45%
    • Congestive Heart Failure
    • Cardiac Valvular Diseases with failure/complications
    • Cardiomyopathies
    • Heart disease with surgical intervention alongwith complications
  7. Chest Diseases
    • Bronchiectasis
    • Interstitial Lung Disease
    • Chronic Obstructive Lung Diseases (COPD) with congestive heart failure (Cor Pulmonale)
  8. Diseases of the Digestive System
    • Cirrhosis of liver with ascities/chronic active hepatitis
  9. Orthopaedic Diseases
    • Dislocation of vertebra/prolapse of intervertebral disc
    • Non union or delayed union of fracture
    • Post Traumatic Surgical amputation of lower extremity
    • Compound fracture with chronic osteomyelitis
  10. Psychoses
    • Schizophrenia
    • Endogenous depression
    • Manic Depressive Psychosis (MDP)
    • Dementia
  11. Others
    • More than 20% burns with infection/complication
    • Chronic Renal Failure
    • Reynaud’s disease/Burger’s disease.

Enhanced Sickness Benefit

Enhanced sickness benefit was introduced in 1976 to incentivice employees covered under ESI  who are undergoing vasectomy  or tubectomy. Employees covered under ESI are eligible for ordinary sickness benefit at enhanced sickness benefit of 100% of average daily wages for undergoing sterilisation operations for family welfare. Duration of enhanced sickness benefits is upto 7 days in the case of vasectomy and upto 14 days in the case of the tubectomy from the date of operation or from the date of admission in the hospital as the case may be. The period of enhanced sickness benefit is extendable in case of post operative complications

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Complete Guide to NSFAS Online Loan Application for South African Students (2025)

If you are a South African student looking to pursue higher education but are facing financial difficulties, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is one of the most accessible funding options available. NSFAS provides financial aid in the form of bursaries and loans to qualifying students at public universities and TVET colleges in South Africa.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the NSFAS loan application process, from eligibility requirements to application steps and frequently asked questions.

📌 What is NSFAS?

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government-funded financial aid scheme aimed at helping students from low- and middle-income households to access tertiary education without the burden of upfront fees.

NSFAS offers both bursaries and income-contingent loans:

  • Bursaries: For eligible students who meet academic and household income criteria (especially for TVET and university students).
  • Loans: For students who do not meet all bursary criteria or who are pursuing postgraduate qualifications not funded under bursary schemes.

✅ Who Qualifies for an NSFAS Loan?

To qualify for an NSFAS loan (especially for postgraduate students or programs not funded under the bursary system), you must:

  • Be a South African citizen.
  • Be financially needy, with a household income of less than R350,000 per year.
  • Have a valid South African ID.
  • Be enrolled or accepted to study at a public university or TVET college.
  • Not be funded through another bursary program that covers all expenses.
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress (returning students).

📚 Courses Funded by NSFAS

NSFAS primarily funds undergraduate qualifications, but certain postgraduate programs (e.g., PGCE, postgraduate diplomas in education, and professional courses like LLB) may be considered under the NSFAS loan scheme, not bursaries.

If you’re studying:

  • Undergraduate degree or diploma: You are likely eligible for a full NSFAS bursary.
  • Postgraduate study: You may qualify for a loan, depending on the course and funding availability.

📄 Required Documents for NSFAS Application

When applying, make sure you have the following documents scanned and ready:

  1. Certified copy of your South African ID or Smart Card.
  2. Parent(s) or guardian(s) ID documents.
  3. Proof of income (latest payslips, UIF, or affidavit if unemployed).
  4. Consent Form signed by your parent(s)/guardian(s) to allow NSFAS to verify income.
  5. Proof of registration or acceptance at a public institution.
  6. Academic transcripts (for continuing or postgraduate students).

🖥️ How to Apply for an NSFAS Loan Online

Step-by-Step NSFAS Online Application Process (2025)

  1. Visit the NSFAS Website

    Go to: https://www.nsfas.org.za

  2. Create an Account

    • Click on “MyNSFAS” and register your profile.
    • You’ll need a valid email address and South African cellphone number.
    • Choose a strong password and verify your account via email or SMS.

  3. Login and Start the Application

    • After registration, log in to your MyNSFAS account.
    • Click on “Apply” to begin a new application.

  4. Fill in Your Personal Details

    • Input your ID number, name, surname, and other details exactly as they appear on your ID.
    • Provide household income information and living arrangements.

  5. Upload Required Documents

    • Upload all supporting documents in PDF or JPEG format.
    • Each document must be clear and under the size limit specified.

  6. Submit Your Application

    • Review your application for accuracy.
    • Click “Submit” and wait for a confirmation message.

  7. Track Your Application

    • Log in regularly to check your application status.
    • You will be notified via SMS and email at each stage of the process.

🗓️ Important NSFAS Dates (2025)

  • Application Opening Date: September 1, 2025
  • Application Deadline: January 31, 2026
  • Appeals Period: February 2026 (if rejected)
  • Disbursement: After registration and approval

Note: Dates are subject to change; always confirm on the official NSFAS website.

💸 What Does the NSFAS Loan Cover?

NSFAS funding typically includes:

  • Tuition fees
  • Registration fees
  • Accommodation (if living away from home)
  • Meals and transport
  • Learning materials (e.g., textbooks)

For loans, repayment is only required once you start working and earn above a threshold (around R30,000 annually, but subject to change).

🔄 NSFAS Loan Repayment

Repayments are:

  • Income-contingent – you only repay when you can afford to.
  • Administered by DHET (Department of Higher Education and Training).
  • Interest-bearing, but interest rates are low and favorable.

You can also apply for a partial loan conversion to a bursary if you perform well academically.

🔁 How to Appeal a Rejected NSFAS Application

If your application is rejected, you may submit an appeal via your MyNSFAS portal:

  1. Log into your MyNSFAS account.
  2. Click on “Track Funding Progress”.
  3. If rejected, click on “Submit Appeal”.
  4. Upload any missing or corrected documents.
  5. Provide a clear explanation or motivation.

📱 NSFAS Contact Information

📝 Final Tips Before Applying

  • Apply early to avoid system overload near the deadline.
  • Use your own email and cellphone number (do not use someone else’s).
  • Double-check that all your documents are certified and legible.
  • Keep a copy of your submission confirmation for reference.

By following this guide, you can confidently apply for NSFAS funding and move one step closer to achieving your academic and career dreams—without the burden of immediate financial pressure.

 

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