EPF advance rules: You can withdraw EPF money for these 5 reasons; check limits

Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPF) members may need to dip into their employees’ provident fund (EPF) savings at different stages, whether it is for a medical emergency, a family member’s education, marriage or a housing requirement. The EPFO has clarified the rules for such partial withdrawals, or EPF advances, that describe how many times its members can take an advance for different purposes. Here is a look at the key EPF advance rules EPFO members should know.

EPF withdrawal rules: How many times can you take PF advance?

Reason	Number of withdrawals
Illness	No limit
Education	Up to 10 times
Marriage	Up to 5 times
Housing-related needs	Up to 5 times
Special circumstances	Up to 2 times in a financial year

*Up to “75% of EPF balance” can be withdrawn after completion of 12 months of EPF membership

Source: EPFO twitter account

EPF advance for illness

EPF members can withdraw money to meet medical expenses for themselves or their family members. There is no limit on the number of times an advance can be claimed for this purpose, subject to the applicable EPF rules.

EPF advance for education

EPFO members can withdraw their EPF to meet education-related expenses for themselves or their family members. This facility can be availed up to 10 times during the entire period of EPF membership.

EPF advance for marriage

EPF members can also withdraw money for marriage expenses of self or eligible family members. Such withdrawals are permitted up to five times during the EPFO membership period.

EPF advance for housing-related needs

The EPFO allows advance withdrawals for several housing-related purposes, including:

Purchase of a flat, house or residential plot

Construction of a house

Repayment of a home loan

Renovation, alteration or improvement of a house

Withdrawals for these purposes can be made up to five times during the EPFO membership, subject to eligibility conditions.

PF advance under special circumstances

Members can also apply for EPF advances under certain special circumstances notified by the Central Board of Trustees (CBT), EPF. Such withdrawals are allowed up to two times in a financial year.

Uniform withdrawal limit after 12 months of EPF membership

According to the EPFO's latest guidance, after completing 12 months of EPF membership, members can withdraw up to 75% of their EPF balance, including both the employee's and employer's shares along with accrued interest, subject to the rules applicable for the relevant advance category.