UIF - Unemployment Insurance Fund - Maternity benefits not received for almost a year

I submitted my application for maternity benefits in February 2021 as I was due to give birth on 11 March 2021 so had gone on maternity a month before.

Upon submitting the application I was advised that there were documents outstanding which I then submitted again and this probably went on for about 3 months.

I then requested for an update via email in August as I was no longer being asked for documents to be submitted. I did call as well but there was no point in calling as the customer service for the labour department is the worst customer service I have ever dealt with. Probably one person who seemed like he was really concerned and advised his manager would call me but guess what, no one called.

In September I was then asked for documents to be submitted again and this time I just submitted and asked for an update again. I couldn't be bothered at this point because I was fed up.

Calls to the department is pathetic. The last call I made where I asked to speak to a manager the agent told me the manager is in a meeting, I said I'll wait and he said that the call would automatically disconnect after minutes. Bear in mind I have been on the call with other agents for more than 30 minutes without the line being disconnected. I work in a call centre and I've never heard such nonsense.

My daughter will be a year old next week and still I haven't received a single payment. Luckily I have a supportive partner and family so I survived with the partial salary I got but what about the mothers who don't have partners who are working or supportive family. I can understand if it would take a few months for payments but a WHOLE YEAR!?!?!?!?!?!