Struggling to Get My PF from Employer: Seeking Practical Advice and Timeframe Insights

Dear Seniors,

I have been working in a well-reputed company (with National/International presence) for the past 1.5 years and am planning to shift now. The issue at hand is that my company does not have a policy of returning the PF amount. When former employees requested it, they were either ignored or treated rudely. It has been almost a year now, and none of my ex-colleagues have received their PF amount; many have also given up hope. My PF amount is quite substantial.

I seek practical advice on how to proceed in my case. Considering the current situation, I believe reaching out to PF offices would be a waste of time and money.

Furthermore, I would appreciate guidance on the typical timeframe for a company to complete all formalities and release an employee's PF.

Regards

Hi Purvi_S,

Normally, after the employee resigns, it takes at least 4 months to credit the PF. The problem you have mentioned, please clarify whether any PF withdrawal form (Form 19 and 10C) is being filled out when the employee leaves. Also, do you get a payslip where the PF number is mentioned? Have you filled out PF Form No-2 at the time of joining? If all this is done, there is no way the company should have a policy not to return the PF. Does your company have its own PF trust, or do they deposit the PF with PF authorities?

If they are depositing the PF with PF authority, then when your PF withdrawal form is submitted, the PF department provides an acknowledgment slip of the form's receipt. So, you can inquire about your PF status based on the acknowledgment, or you can check it online as well.

I hope this clears up your point.

Cheers,
Harshad

Dear Purvi,

If your company has not returned the PF amount, you can transfer this amount to your new company when you want to join it. You can claim the PF amount after 3 months of leaving. Once the PF form is submitted to the PF office, you will get the amount within 1 month.

Regards,

Dipali Lakhani

Dear,

If you know your PF number, fill up 10C and 19B and deposit them at the PF office with a covering letter stating that your employer is not attesting the form. Make sure to obtain a receipt for both the letter and the form. The PF authorities will then address the issue with your ex-employer and take the necessary actions.

Thank you.
J.S. Malik

Thanks Harshad, Deepali, and Malik.

I have filled the PF form when I joined the company. My PF number is also shown on my salary slip. None of my ex-employees have filled the forms called Form 19 and 10C. Also, when my colleagues inquired, they came to know that although we have our PF numbers, the PF amount deducted is not actually paid. God knows what the company does with that PF amount.