The application can still be submitted via email; it still works and they do accept it via email: providing that all the documents sent is correct.
The online site can be used, and it does work too.
If a company has not been submitting UI19's monthly to DoEL, then chances are 100% that they will not get this UIF payment - if a worker is not linked to their UIF number, then UIF will not pay out. Therefore you must first make sure all UI19's have been updated before you apply.