Advance to EPF members in crisis situation emerging due to COVID-19 pandemic

The Covid-19 has been declared a Pandemic by Government of India for the entire country and therefore the members of the EPF have become eligible for the benefits of non-refundable advance under the sub-para 68(3)(L) which has come into force vide Ministry of Labour, Govt of India Notification GSR 225 (E) dated 27.03.2020 as published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary) Part II- Section 3-sub section (1) on 28.03.2020.

The notification amends the EPF Scheme, 1952 by inserting Sub-Para (3) under Para 68L of the EPF Scheme, 1952 to provide for non-refundable advance to EPF members not exceeding the basic wages and dearness allowances for three months or upto 75% of the amount standing to member’s credit in the EPF account whichever is less in the event of outbreak of epidemic or pandemic

It is   informed that the online claim filing facility for Covid19 advance has been successfully launched on 29^th March 2020.

Subscribers who are KYC complaint and have seeded their UAN (Universal Account Number) with Aadhaar and bank account can submit their advance claim Form-31 under Para 68(3) (L).

IT division of EPFO has devised a system of auto settlement of claims through our centralized server in respect of all such members whose KYC data is fully updated and compliant.

Instructions for filling online claims u/p 68 L are available at:

https://www.epfindia.gov.in/site_docs/PDFs/Circulars/Y2019-2020/claim_covid19.pdf

It is going to be a paradigm shift in claim settlements where claims will be possible to settle within 3 days in EPFO.

It is requested to  educate workers in your establishment of the above enabling provision and online claim facility so that the claims of EPF members preferred under sub-para (3) of Para 68L of the EPF Scheme, 1952 are processed promptly and relief reaches the worker and his family to help them fight with COVID-19.

We wish all our employers and members to stay safe.

Regards

Regional P.F Commissioner-I,

EPFO, Thane South

—————————————

EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION

Bhavishya Nidhi Bhawan, 14, Bhikaiji Cama Place, New Delhi – 110 066

BY WEB CIRCULATION ONLY

No. C_I/Misc./2019-20/VoI.II/Part/

Date: 28.03.2020

To,

All Addl CPFCs in charge of Zones

All RPFCs in charge of Regional Offices

All OICs in charge of District Offices

Sub: Forwarding of notification GSR. 225(E) dated 27.03.2020 inserting Sub-Para (3) under Para 68L of the EPF Scheme, 1952 to provide for non-refundable advance to EPF members in the event of outbreak of epidemic or pandemic

Sir,

Please find enclosed Ministry of Labour, Govt of India Notification GSR 225 (E) dated 27.03.2020 as published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary) Part II- Section 3-sub section (1) on 28.03.2020 for information and necessary action.

The notification amends the EPF Scheme, 1952 by inserting Sub-Para (3) under Para 68L of the EPF Scheme, 1952 to provide for non-refundable advance to EPF members not exceeding the basic wages and dearness allowances for three months or upto 75% of the amount standing to member’s credit in the EPF account in the event of outbreak of epidemic or pandemic.

Please note that the COVID-19 has been declared a Pandemic by appropriate Government for the entire country and therefore the employees working in establishments and factories across entire India, who are members of the EPF Scheme, 1952, are eligible for the benefits of non-refundable advance under the sub-para (3) of Para 68L which has come into force from today (28.03.2020).

Please circulate among the staff and officers to educate them of the above provision so that the claims of EPF members preferred under sub-para (3) of Para 68L of the EPF Scheme, 1952 are processed promptly and relief reaches the worker and his family to help them fight with COVID-19.

The IS Division shall ensure all technical and software preparedness for smooth processing of claims.

(This issues with the approval of the Central Provident Fund Commissioner)

Yours faithfully,

Encl: As above

sd/-
(Pankaj Raman)
Addl. CPFC (Compliance)

Download EPF notification