One of our employees left the organization in 2007 and did not settle his provident fund account. He has now applied for withdrawal, but the company has no records, and his personal file cannot be traced.
The employee wants to withdraw his provident fund, but due to the absence of documents, the company is unable to sign the required forms
What is the procedure to withdraw the provident fund under these circumstances?
Regards,
Ranjan K Dixit
From India, New Delhi
1The employee wants to withdraw his provident fund, but due to the absence of documents, the company is unable to sign the required forms
What is the procedure to withdraw the provident fund under these circumstances?
Regards,
Ranjan K Dixit
From India, New Delhi
Hi,
To process old PF why you require old personal file?
All data should be there in your payroll software using which you can verify and also submit necessary forms like 3A if need be.
Now mostly all PF offices are encouraging online claims only. As this claim is prior to UAN implementation you can seek the help of PF Office. Employee need to submit one self declaration as to why PF is not claimed for these many years.
Also please note that PF money if not claimed ( and not active) for more than 5 to 7 years then the same will be moved to unclaimed fund as per PF office. So please contact the respective PF office PRO before committing anything to the employee.
From India, Madras
To process old PF why you require old personal file?
All data should be there in your payroll software using which you can verify and also submit necessary forms like 3A if need be.
Now mostly all PF offices are encouraging online claims only. As this claim is prior to UAN implementation you can seek the help of PF Office. Employee need to submit one self declaration as to why PF is not claimed for these many years.
Also please note that PF money if not claimed ( and not active) for more than 5 to 7 years then the same will be moved to unclaimed fund as per PF office. So please contact the respective PF office PRO before committing anything to the employee.
From India, Madras
What Laxmi Narayan has said is right. There is no other way to get the fund back because at the time the employee left service, there was no UAN. Certainly, if the employee had taken up service somewhere else, and this pertains to an account remaining idle without transfer to the later accounts, then there is a possibility that a UAN was generated in the mean time. But I don't think that he has any UAN generated for his PF. In the absence of UAN, only possibility to withdrawn the amount is to submit a hard forms (form 19 and 10C) with a declaration jointly signed by the employee and the employer that he left the company long before UAN was introduced, and the particulars furnished in the withdrawal forms are as per data available.
In order to get the details regarding the member id (PF Id), you have to peruse the contribution cards, form 3A, or the annual return submitted. The employee should also have a contribution slip which the EPFO used to give through the employer every year, and it is the duty of the employee concerned to keep it. But since it is already 17 years, we cannot blame him if he has lost it. If you have not kept such data, the same can be collected from the EPFO's Sub Regional Office where you used to submit the monthly and annual returns of contributions. Recently, they have had some helpdesk opened for dealing such matters. I think it is fine, if you send any of your staff member to help the employee. Obviously, the KYCs as required should also be attached to the forms you submit.
From India, Kannur
In order to get the details regarding the member id (PF Id), you have to peruse the contribution cards, form 3A, or the annual return submitted. The employee should also have a contribution slip which the EPFO used to give through the employer every year, and it is the duty of the employee concerned to keep it. But since it is already 17 years, we cannot blame him if he has lost it. If you have not kept such data, the same can be collected from the EPFO's Sub Regional Office where you used to submit the monthly and annual returns of contributions. Recently, they have had some helpdesk opened for dealing such matters. I think it is fine, if you send any of your staff member to help the employee. Obviously, the KYCs as required should also be attached to the forms you submit.
From India, Kannur
Please visit respective PF office and try to generate UAN for his old account through PF office. Also, you can try to generate his UAN from member portal "https://unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in/memberinterface/" Please refer attached screenshot. Provided his KYC details are matching.
You may try to generate his UAN through employer portal also "https://unifiedportal-emp.epfindia.gov.in/epfo/". Select "UAN Allotment to Existing Member" from member tab. Please refer attached screenshot. If his name in is available on the PF portal.
As mentioned by Mr. Madhu, if his UAN generated for later service/s, PF office may merge his new UAN with his old service, than he can transfer the PF accumulation to the new service and then withdraw the amount.
You need to write detailed letter to PF office along with joint declaration, KYC docs self-attested and counter sign by employer.
It is advisable to meet PRO before proceeding, he will guide you for the subject.
From India, Mumbai
You may try to generate his UAN through employer portal also "https://unifiedportal-emp.epfindia.gov.in/epfo/". Select "UAN Allotment to Existing Member" from member tab. Please refer attached screenshot. If his name in is available on the PF portal.
As mentioned by Mr. Madhu, if his UAN generated for later service/s, PF office may merge his new UAN with his old service, than he can transfer the PF accumulation to the new service and then withdraw the amount.
You need to write detailed letter to PF office along with joint declaration, KYC docs self-attested and counter sign by employer.
It is advisable to meet PRO before proceeding, he will guide you for the subject.
From India, Mumbai
Agreed with what experts said.
>Visit PF office and meet PRO. If you have PF Adalat in your area best way to reach out PF officials
>Take some documents what you have in your custody (Form 23 or pay slips, Employer letters etc)
>Take help. Please note you need to visit times or multiple follows here to get it addressed.
From India, Bangalore
>Visit PF office and meet PRO. If you have PF Adalat in your area best way to reach out PF officials
>Take some documents what you have in your custody (Form 23 or pay slips, Employer letters etc)
>Take help. Please note you need to visit times or multiple follows here to get it addressed.
From India, Bangalore
This inactive a/c obviously not going to generate accrued interest after remaining few years inoperative, say beyond 3 yrs or so. In any case your claim forms duly endorsed/authenticated by the employer's Authorised Signatory, may be a sworn Affidavit with latest photo will be insisted together with KYC docs. Nothing is lost.
From India, Bangalore
From India, Bangalore
Kumar Sir, the interest payment provision that after 3 years of being inoperative the PF account will cease to get interest has been withdrawn, I think. But I really feel that I am not getting any interest since my retirement......!!
From India, Kannur
From India, Kannur
Madhu sir,
As per the EPFO website this is what is appearing in their FAQ:
Yes, if no Employer's contribution is being remitted to EPF a/c of the employee for continuously 3 yrs then this EPF A/c will not earn interest after 3 yrs from the stoppage of contribution of employer.
" Will your EPF accounts earn interest if contribution is not made?
Ans : There is no restriction of period for membership. Even after leaving the establishment a person can continue his membership. However, if no contribution is received into a PF account for 3 consecutive years the account shall not earn any interest after 3 years from the stopping of contribution."
https://www.epfindia.gov.in/site_en/FAQ.php
I'll try to share the notification relevant to this in due course to clear the doubts.
From India, Bangalore
As per the EPFO website this is what is appearing in their FAQ:
Yes, if no Employer's contribution is being remitted to EPF a/c of the employee for continuously 3 yrs then this EPF A/c will not earn interest after 3 yrs from the stoppage of contribution of employer.
" Will your EPF accounts earn interest if contribution is not made?
Ans : There is no restriction of period for membership. Even after leaving the establishment a person can continue his membership. However, if no contribution is received into a PF account for 3 consecutive years the account shall not earn any interest after 3 years from the stopping of contribution."
https://www.epfindia.gov.in/site_en/FAQ.php
I'll try to share the notification relevant to this in due course to clear the doubts.
From India, Bangalore
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