Can My Ex-Employer Legally Demand a Relieving Letter for PF Withdrawal?

Hi,

I spoke to my ex-employer regarding PF withdrawal, and they informed me that they require my relieving letter to process the request. I didn't serve my notice period, so I don't have the letter. I submitted a resignation letter, which they accepted back then. However, they insist now that they need the relieving letter without which the request won't be processed. Can they do that? Is it within the law?

Could someone please respond? Thank you very much.

There is no need for a relieving letter for the withdrawal of PF. You need to fill out the PF withdrawal form, and your ex-employer needs to sign it. Along with the form, you need to attach one canceled cheque from the bank, whose details you will provide in the form as proof. Then, you need to submit that at the PF office. You can only submit the form after 3 months of your resignation.

If your ex-employer doesn't sign the form, you can get it signed by any of the gazetted officers.