A RAF Loss of Support Claim may provide compensation when a person who supported you financially dies because of a road accident caused by another person’s negligence.
Losing a loved one is difficult enough. When that person was also supporting your household, the financial impact can make an already painful time even harder.
If you were financially dependent on the deceased, you may be entitled to claim loss of support from the Road Accident Fund (RAF).
What is a RAF Loss of Support Claim?
A RAF Loss of Support Claim is a claim for the financial support a dependant has lost because a breadwinner died in a road accident.
The claim can cover:
- Past loss of support: Support lost between the date of the accident and the date the loss is calculated.
- Future loss of support: Support the deceased would probably have provided in the years ahead.
The purpose is not to place a value on a person’s life; rather, it compensates dependants for the financial support they would reasonably have received if their loved one had survived.
Who can claim for loss of support?
The key question is whether the deceased had a legal duty to support you.
Depending on the circumstances, eligible dependants may include:
- a husband or wife;
- a spouse in a recognised customary marriage;
- children of the deceased;
- certain life partners;
- other dependants where a legal duty of support can be proven.
A parent or legal guardian can lodge a claim on behalf of a minor child.
Being related to the deceased does not automatically mean that you have a valid claim. You will generally need to show that the deceased had a legal duty to support you and that you have suffered a real financial loss because of their death.
The road accident must also have resulted from another driver’s or road user’s negligence.
If you think you may have a claim, use our simple form to submit the details you have, and we will let you know.
What documents are needed for a loss of support claim?
Supporting documents are crucial because the value of the claim depends heavily on proof of the deceased person’s income and the dependant’s relationship with them.
Documents may include:
- certified copies of the deceased and dependant’s IDs;
- death certificate;
- marriage or customary marriage certificate;
- unabridged birth certificates for children;
- an affidavit explaining the basis of dependency where required;
- post-mortem, inquest or charge sheet documents;
- official accident report, docket and sketch plan;
- the deceased’s payslips;
- employer confirmation of employment, income and retirement age;
- tax records;
- bank statements where required;
- proof of other income;
- maintenance orders, where applicable;
- child support grant documents, where applicable; and
- an actuarial report calculating the financial loss.
Different circumstances may require additional evidence. Gathering the right documents early can help prevent unnecessary problems during the claim process.
Learn more about the RAF Claim Process.
How much can you claim for loss of support?
There is no standard RAF loss-of-support payout.
The amount depends on factors such as the deceased person’s income, expected career path, age, retirement age, number of dependants and how much of their income would have been used to support the household.
An actuary will usually calculate the past and future financial loss.
What is the current RAF loss of support limit?
The Road Accident Fund Act places a statutory limit on annual loss of support.
From 31 July 2026, the applicable limit is R390,664 per year in respect of each deceased breadwinner.
This amount is adjusted periodically to account for inflation. Importantly, this figure is an annual statutory cap used to calculate the loss, not a maximum total payout of R390,664.
Your actual compensation may therefore be more or less than this amount when the full claim is calculated.
What is the average RAF loss of support claim amount?
According to the latest available RAF Annual Report for the 2024/25 financial year, the average value of a paid loss of support claim was R666,280.
This was the highest average recorded over the five-year period reported.
However, an average should not be treated as an indication of what your family will receive. Every loss of support claim is calculated according to its own facts.
A household that lost its main breadwinner may have a very different claim from one where both partners earned an income or several dependants relied on the deceased.
How long do you have to lodge a claim?
Time limits apply to RAF claims.
As a general rule, if you identify the driver or vehicle responsible for the accident, you must lodge a claim within three years. Different rules apply to unidentified driver or hit-and-run claims, where the period is generally two years.
We encourage you to start early. Gathering the necessary financial documents and accident evidence takes time, and delays can complicate your claim.
Getting support after losing a breadwinner
No amount of compensation can replace a loved one. A RAF Loss of Support Claim is intended to help protect the dependants who have been left without financial support.
At Gert Nel Incorporated, we understand that dealing with paperwork and legal processes can feel overwhelming while your family is grieving.
As specialised personal injury attorneys, we can assess your circumstances, explain what you may be entitled to claim and guide you through the RAF claim process step by step. We’ll also keep you updated and informed throughout your matter.
Contact Gert Nel Incorporated, and we’ll assess your matter and advise you on the prospects of success.