Reversing stand, EPFO to accept offline PF claims of over Rs 10 lakh now

Reversing its earlier decision, the EPFO has decided to accept provident fund withdrawal claims of over Rs 10 lakh via physical forms submitted offline. In a earlier circular the EPFO had issued instructions to its offices to allow submission of PF claims of over Rs 10 lakh only online.

Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) in its circular dated 13 April, 2018 has revised instructions to settle claims for Provident Funds (PF) and Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS) withdrawals.

According to the circular, all the PF claims above Rs 10 lakh now will also be settled via offline submission of forms. This will also hold for EPS withdrawals settlement above Rs 5 lakh.


The decision has been taken considering the problems faced by the members/claimants including the international workers while submitting their claims online.
Due to the grievances raised by members, this stipulation will be kept in abeyance so that so that offline claims will also be accepted in all cases, EPFO said in its circular.

This decision has been in a meeting chaired by Central Provident Fund Commissioner (CPFC) in order to resolve the problems faced by its members while submitting their claims.

EPFO, this year in February, has made mandatory submission of claims of PF and EPS withdrawals via online mode only. In that earlier circular, it instructed that all claims above the stipulated limits will not be accepted in the physical forms.

In the latest circular dated April 13, 2018, field offices have been instructed to send the claim forms online to the employers for further verification for those claim forms that are received online from the claimants. This step has been taken to minimise the risk of fraud and step up security.
Employers are required to return the claim form within 3 days to the EPFO office specifying whether it is accepted or rejected.