| (1) | An application for parental benefits must be made in the prescribed form at an employment office. |
| (2) | The application must be made within 12 months after— |
| (a) | the date of childbirth; or |
| (ii) | a child is placed in the care of a prospective adoptive parent by a competent court, pending the finalisation of an adoption order in respect of that child, |
whichever date occurs first.
| (3) | The claims officer must investigate the application and, if necessary, request further information regarding the period the applicant was not working in order to care for the child. |
| (4) | If the application complies with the provisions of this Chapter, the claims officer must— |
| (a) | approve the application; |
| (i) | the amount of the benefits for purposes of section 13(3); and |
| (ii) | the benefits the applicant is entitled to in terms of section 13(4); |
| (c) | authorise the payment of the benefits; and |
| (d) | stipulate how the benefits are to be paid. |
| (5) | If the application does not comply with the provisions of this Chapter, the claims officer must advise the applicant in writing that the application is defective and of the reasons why it is defective. |
[Section 26B inserted by section 11 of Notice No. 1305, GG 42062, dated 27 November 2018 (Labour Laws Amendment Act, 2018)]
