In India, an employee contributes from his salary certain percentage to Employees Provident Fund and a matching contribution is required to be made by the employer, in organized sector. However, as the salary is negotiated on cost to company method, both parts of contributions are in fact deducted from the salary an employee only. This PF deduction is generally 24% of the basic salary of employee.
The purpose of writing this article is to apprise the procedure of withdrawal and difficulties faced at the time of withdrawing the amount from Provident Fund Account and the way out to accelerate the fund credited to the account of an employee. Let us start with the procedure for withdrawal:
Procedure for withdrawal of EPF:
1. Visit epfindia.gov.in
2. Select “Claim (Form 31, 19 & 10C)” under Online Services.
3. Verify personal details.
4. Enter last four digits of registered bank account for verification.
5. Agree to the certificate of undertaking.
6. Choose withdrawal type: full or partial.
7. Specify reason for withdrawal.
8. Upload required documents.
9. Wait for the approval from employer.
After getting approval from the employer, funds will be credited within 20 days from the date of approval.
There may be some variations in case the employer has PF Trust and the contributions are maintained through that.
Documents required before online login:
- 2 revenue stamps (for offline cash withdrawal).
- Bank account statement.
- Aadhaar card.
- PAN card.
- Cancelled blank cheque.
Points to remember:
- Activate UAN (universal account number).
- Ensure active linked mobile number.
- Update KYC details (Aadhaar, PAN).
- Verify bank details.
- Maintain consistency in personal information across documents.
Difficulties of employee:
- KYC mismatch
- Non-responsive PF office
- Online system is not on real time basis and there are frequent server downtimes.
- Online helpline is not working properly
Challenges and way out: The employer may not be crediting into the PF Account or it is taking months for getting credit of PF withdrawal. The employee should adopt a structured step-up procedure for fast credit in his account as below:
- Speak to your ex-employer: This is the first step to connect with the ex-employer. Communicate preferably through email the concern regarding the delayed EPF deposits and seek clarification on the reasons behind it.
- File a Written Complaint to your PF Office: If the issue persists, submit a written complaint to the nearest PF office. Ensure that the complaint includes details such as:
1. PF account number
2. Employer details
3. Specific details of the delayed deposits.
- Support with Documentation: Along with your complaint, attach supporting documents like your PF statement and salary slips. These documents act as evidence.
- Raise Grievance on EPFIGMS Portal: Register your grievance on the EPFIGMS (Employees’ Provident Fund Integrated Grievance Management System) portal. Provide all relevant details and documentation as required by the portal.
- Send Email to higher PF Authorities: Send an email to higher authorities within the PF department, such as the regional PF commissioner, detailing your grievance. Include the reference number of your complaint filed with the PF office for easy reference.
- Follow-up: If you do not receive a response within 15 days, follow up on your complaint through email or phone calls.
- Lodge Complaint via CPGRAMS: If there is still no resolution after following the steps, escalate the matter by lodging a complaint via CPGRAMS (Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System). Provide all necessary details and documentation to facilitate the investigation and resolution of your complaint.
Conclusion: Employees should be aware of the EPF withdrawal procedure and potential challenges they may face. By following the structured steps outlined in this guide and seeking expert advice when needed, employees can ensure timely crediting of their hard-earned funds. Remember, it’s your right to fight for your money.
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In case, you have any concern and queries or need any support in PF Withdrawal, you may like to contact us.
Abhinarayan Mishra, FCA, FCS; Managing Partner, KPAM & Associates, Chartered Accountants, Dwarka, New Delhi; +91 9910744992, ca.abhimishra@gmail.com
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