Insights on EPF Withdrawal Process, Employer Signatures, and PF Balance Check

Dear Concerned,

I left the Organisation five years ago, and due to a lack of knowledge/time, I didn't withdraw my PF. I have my PF details with me; please suggest how to proceed with that and also let me know if I am eligible for it or not.

Regards,
Leon

Please fill in Form 19 and Form 10C and get them countersigned by the past employer. Send the forms to the EPF Office where your accounts were maintained. If you are unable to reach the employer for their signature, please have these forms signed by your bank manager or another authorized officer such as a gazetted officer, MP, MLA, etc., and submit them. Your settlement will be credited to your bank account within a couple of months, depending on the efficiency of the staff at EPFO.

Regards,
Madhu.T.K

Dear Madhu Sir,

Thank you for your reply. I was in Delhi working in a Call Centre, and I believe I will be able to get the form signed by the Employer on time.

Sir, I have one more query - where can I check my PF balance?

Thank you once again for your advice.

Regards,
Leon

You can check your PF balance from a link available on the website of the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation. If it is not available there, you can also obtain it from the EPFO's office in person.

It is not mandatory for the withdrawal forms to be signed by the employer. They can be signed by any authorized person, such as a Bank Manager, MP, etc.

Regards,
Madhu.T.K

Dear friend,

I think you are working as a call center employee in Delhi. Why did you withdraw the PF amount? You can transfer your EPF amount from the previous organization to the existing organization. Once you contact your HR Department, they will provide Form-13 for PF transfer. It's better to utilize the EPF benefits.

Thanks

Dear Madhu Sir,

Greetings!

It is always good to learn new things from your postings. Please provide me with the details regarding the provision that states it is not necessary to sign the PF form from the past employer, or if they can be signed by gazetted officers as well. I have several cases on hand where individuals need to withdraw their PF, but due to a lack of knowledge on this matter, I am unable to guide them appropriately. Are these provisions also applicable to trust personnel?

Sometimes employers do not process PF forms due to recovery from employees. Although we are not allowed to deduct any amount from the PF, employers pressure employees for that money.

Your early response would be appreciated.

Regards,
Ranjeet

Yes, Mr. Gouri is telling the right thing. It is better to transfer the PF to your current account instead of withdrawing. Apply through your current regional PF office in Form-13 for transfer, and please ensure that the returns have been submitted in time by your previous employer.

Thanks,

Dear Mr. Madhu T.K.,

As you responded to Leeonvoyage's query regarding PF, I also have the same problem. I filled out the form and got it signed by the bank manager as I was not able to locate my ex-employer. However, the form was returned after 2 months with a note stating that they will not process the refund unless it is signed by the previous employer.

Despite making every effort, I have been unable to locate my previous employer. What should I do? Please guide me.

Thanks & Regards,
Smita

Smita,

Please consult your lawyer and give notice to the concerned office. He will immediately respond to your query.

K. Ramachandran

Dear,

It is not necessary to sign a withdrawal form from the employer; it can be signed by the bank manager, MLA, etc.

With regards,
Sunny Mahajan
Sr. HR Executive.

You can check your withdrawal status by logging in at www.epfindia.nic.in.

Dear Seniors,

The concept behind getting the signature of the employer is that the claimant has left the organization. Also, the PF department should know on hand about the past contributions deducted/made on behalf of such employers.

On the other hand, every employer is required to file annual returns of the deductions in March. Hence, for employees who have left long before, the contributions must have been filed, and it will not be a difficult task for the department to find the balance available.

Also, think of a position where many companies are closed. In such cases, where can an employee go to get the signature (Probably if it is chit fund, he can try his luck in jails!!)

So logically, the department cannot hold your claim for lack of the employer's signature. I do not think that we need any settled legal position for this. If the department is refusing to accept the claim despite any mention in the individual's application to the effect that the employer is refusing to sign/the employer is no longer existing, then it is a gross violation by the department. If the employer is alive, then the department can call for an explanation from the employer as the statutory payments cannot be withheld at any cost.

Krishnaraj P R
9840355204

It may be wrong on the part of the EPF authorities to return the withdrawal form for want of the previous employer's signature. At most, EPF authorities can insist on an affidavit to be executed by the claimant and then settle the claim if otherwise in order.

Regards,
Madhwa

Good message for all employees of the company. Thanks for your reply. How can I check my PF balance because I have already worked in a private company in Chennai for the last 2 1/2 years, and my company has not issued any PF statement to me.

Dear Samita Kakkar and others,

The procedure to be followed by the member if the employer is not attesting his claim forms is as follows:

It is the duty of the employer under the Act and Scheme to assist the Employees' Provident Fund organization in settling the Provident Fund dues of their employees. The employer must complete the prescribed application within 5 days of receipt (para 72(5)) and hand it over to the member when they leave the service. If a member faces difficulty in getting the form attested by the employer, they can seek attestation from any of the following officers and send it to the Provident Fund office:

1. Manager of a bank.
2. Any gazetted officer.
3. Member of the Central Board of Trustees/committee/Regional Committee (Employees' Provident Fund Organization).
4. Magistrate/Post/Sub-Post Master/President of Village Panchayat/Notary Public.

If you have not received your claim, please contact me via phone. The Provident Fund department cannot deny the Provident Fund withdrawal if attested by the above-mentioned authorities, as stated in their pamphlets.

Thank you.

SHISH RAM UNIYAL
09811681660

If an employee covered by PF and working with us for the last 3 years now needs to withdraw a partial amount from their PF account, is there any provision for withdrawing the amount? Please guide me.
K.K. Jangid.

There is no partial withdrawal of PF, but for some specific purposes, such as for marriage, education of children, meeting hospitalization expenses, construction/purchase of houses, non-receipt of salary for at least two months, etc., and following some service eligibility conditions, an advance from PF will be given. For marriage, a minimum service of seven years is required, and for construction/purchase of a residential building, a minimum service of five years is mandatory. For details, please refer to the website of EPFO.

Regards, Madhu.T.K