The Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) manages the retirement savings, pension and insurance protection of crores of organized sector employees in the country. Today, EPFO has made most of its administrative functions completely online through the Unified Member Portal and UMANG app.
Often employees face difficulties while changing jobs, checking PF balance or claim settlement. Direct and accurate answers to the 8 most important questions related to EPFO are being given here so that you do not have to visit any office.
Universal Account Number (UAN) is a 12-digit permanent identification number that brings all the PF accounts of an employee under one umbrella.
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Generating a new UAN: If you are starting a job for the first time, generally the employer generates UAN on the basis of your Aadhar card and PAN. If you want to generate it yourself, go to EPFO’s ‘Unified Member Portal’ and click on ‘Direct UAN Allotment by Employees’ link, enter Aadhaar linked mobile number and OTP and get UAN in a few minutes.
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Activating UAN: Select ‘Activate UAN’ option on the homepage of the portal. Enter your UAN number, Aadhaar number, name, date of birth and Aadhaar linked mobile number. The UAN will be activated as soon as you enter the Authorization PIN (OTP) received on the phone and the password will be sent to your mobile via SMS.
There are four easiest methods available to check EPF balance:
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Missed Call Service: If your UAN is linked to Aadhaar and bank account, then from your registered mobile number 9966044425 But give a missed call. After two rings the call will be disconnected and details of last contribution and total balance will be sent through SMS.
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SMS Service: from registered number EPFOHO UAN HIN (for Hindi) or EPFOHO UAN ENG (for English) by writing 7738299899 send over.
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UMANG App: Search ‘EPFO’ in the app, go to ‘View Passbook’, enter UAN, login with OTP and download the passbook.
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EPFO Passbook Portal: You can view the detailed ledger by visiting passbook.epfindia.gov.in and logging in with UAN and password.
On changing jobs, it is necessary to transfer the PF funds of the old company to the PF account of the new company so that there is no loss of interest and pensionable service remains connected.
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Login to EPFO portal and go to menu ‘Online Services’ Go to.
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‘One Member – One EPF Account (Transfer Request)’ Select.
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Enter your old member ID or previous UAN.
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Select the option for verification whether you want to get the claim form attested by the present employer or the former employer.
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Click on ‘Get OTP’, enter Aadhaar OTP and submit. Form-13 will be generated for tracking.
EPFO allows members to withdraw non-refundable advance for emergency needs:
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Valid reasons: Medical emergency, construction/purchase of house, marriage (self or brother/sister/child), higher education of children, or natural calamity.
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Process: on the portal ‘Online Services’ > ‘Claim (Form-31, 19, 10C & 10D)’ Go to. Verify bank account number. In ‘I want to apply for’ ‘PF Advance (Form 31)’ Select, fill withdrawal reason and amount, upload clear photo of check or bank passbook and submit with Aadhaar OTP. Usually the money gets credited to the bank account in 3 to 7 working days.
No withdrawals or transfers are possible without complete KYC:
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By logging into the unified portal ‘Manage’ Go to tab and ‘KYC’ Click on Options.
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Tick in front of the document to be added (Bank, PAN, Passport etc.) and enter the relevant details.
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In case of bank account, the name must match letter by letter.
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After saving the details the request will go to your employer for digital signature approval. Once approved by the company, the KYC status will appear as ‘Approved’.
If you have left the job and are unemployed for more than 2 months (60 days), you can withdraw the entire PF and pension fund:
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Condition: Your ‘Date of Exit’ should be recorded on the portal by the previous employer. (Now employees can also mark the exit date with Aadhaar OTP by going to ‘Manage > Mark Exit’).
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Form: By going to the claims section of the portal Form 19 (To withdraw complete PF fund) and Form 10C (To be filled for pension fund withdrawal if total service is less than 10 years). If service is more than 10 years, one has to apply for ‘Scheme Certificate’ instead of pension withdrawal.
Once you submit your claim form, you can check its progress anytime:
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Login to EPF portal and ‘Online Services’ go to menu ‘Track Claim Status’ Click on.
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Here you will clearly see the date of claim submission, details of transfer to the field office and status (Under Process, Approved, Rejected or Settled). If the claim is rejected, the clear reason for rejection is also recorded on the screen.
If your claim is not processed within the stipulated time or the company is not attesting the PF related documents, lodge a complaint on the official grievance portal of EPFO:
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official portal EPFiGMS Go to (epfigms.gov.in).
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‘Register Grievance’ Click on and select your status (EPF Member, EPS Pensioner, Employer etc.).
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Enter your UAN and security code and click on ‘Get Details’.
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Select the PF account or claim related issue. Select the category of complaint (like Non-transfer of PF, Final Settlement delay etc.), write the details and upload the required evidence documents (PDF) and submit.
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You will get a unique registration number through which the complaint is usually resolved in 7 to 15 days.