You can check the status of a Road Accident Fund claim online using the RAF’s claim status portal with your South African ID number, or by contacting the RAF through the channels published on its official website. A claim typically moves through registration, verification of documents, assessment, and settlement or trial, and the stage shown tells you what is still outstanding and roughly how far your matter is from payment.
This guide walks through the online check step by step, explains what each status means, what delays are normal, and when to escalate. RAF claims are governed by the Road Accident Fund Act 56 of 1996.
How to Check Your RAF Claim Status Online
- Get your claim details ready. You need the claimant’s South African ID number. The accident date and RAF claim reference, if your attorney gave you one, speed things up.
- Open the RAF claim status portal. The RAF publishes the claim status service on its official website, raf.co.za. Use only the official site, not third-party lookups that harvest ID numbers.
- Enter your ID number and submit. The portal returns claims linked to that identity number.
- Read the status and note the claim reference for all follow-ups.
- Confirm with your attorney, if you have one, before acting on what you see. Portal statuses are sometimes stale and do not reflect medical reports or offers already exchanged.
What the Status Stages Mean
| Stage | What is happening |
|---|---|
| Registered | The claim is captured with the RAF after the statutory accident report (RAF 1 form) was submitted |
| Documents outstanding | The RAF awaits police reports, medical records, affidavits, or proof of loss of income |
| Under investigation / assessment | Verification of the accident, liability, and the injuries or losses claimed |
| Merits and quantum | Liability is being settled or argued, and the value of the claim is being calculated |
| Settlement offer / tender made | The RAF has made an offer, which your attorney negotiates or advises on |
| Payment processing | Settlement agreed or judgment granted; payment is being processed |
How Long RAF Claims Take
RAF claims are slow by design and by backlog. Straightforward claims with complete documents and serious uncontested injuries can settle within two to three years. Contested liability, incomplete medicals, or court rolls push matters past that. A status that has not moved for many months usually means an outstanding document or an internal queue, which is precisely the thing a follow-up can unblock.
Prescription matters more than patience: a claim must be lodged within three years of the accident for general claims, and sooner in some settings, so never let a status check replace the lodgement itself.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using third-party status sites. Portals other than the RAF’s own harvest ID numbers. Check only on raf.co.za.
- Expecting the portal to show everything. Offers, undertakings, and attorney correspondence often sit outside the portal view.
- Letting documents lapse. A claim stuck on “documents outstanding” is usually missing something only you or your doctor can supply.
- Missing the prescription deadline because the claim seemed active. Lodgement within three years is everything.
- Accepting the first offer without advice. Early offers frequently undervalue serious injuries.
Get help with your RAF claim. Otrebski Attorneys’ personal injury team in Sandton lodges, tracks, and settles Road Accident Fund claims. Call 060 500 3098 or book an appointment if your claim has stalled.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check my RAF claim status online?
Use the claim status service on the RAF’s official website, raf.co.za, and enter the claimant’s South African ID number. The portal returns claims linked to that ID, with their current stage and claim reference.
What do I need to check my RAF claim status?
Your South African ID number is the minimum. The accident date and the RAF claim reference, if available, make it easier to identify the right claim and to follow up telephonically.
How long does an RAF claim take to pay out?
Straightforward claims with complete documents commonly settle within two to three years. Contested liability, incomplete medical records, and court rolls extend the period. Payment follows after settlement or judgment, in tranches for serious injuries.
Why has my RAF claim status not changed?
Usually an outstanding document, such as a police report, medical report, or affidavit, or an internal RAF queue. Confirm with your attorney what is outstanding, and supply anything only you or your doctors can provide.
What is the deadline to lodge a Road Accident Fund claim?
Generally three years from the accident date for claims not involving a motor vehicle identified at the scene, and shorter periods apply in some settings. Lodgement inside the deadline is essential because the claim prescribes after it.
Disclaimer. This article is general information, not legal advice for a specific claim. Portal layouts and RAF processes change; confirm current procedure on raf.co.za and consult an admitted attorney about your claim’s deadlines.