Struggling to Claim PF from a Relocated Company: How Can I Get My Money Back?

Hi! I have a PF account in a company where I worked for 7 months (July '09 to Jan '10). Now, I want to claim the PF amount. However, the consultant tells me that I cannot claim PF until the company submits the dues, if any, and states the status of the company (as there are no employees in the company). But now the company is relocated, and there is no one to take responsibility to provide the status of the company. Kindly suggest how I can claim my PF amount.

Regards,
Nusrath Khan

Please fill Form 19 and get it endorsed by the concerned employer. Then, directly approach the Office of the Regional PF Commissioner. They will provide you with the correct status. Most probably, you will receive a positive outcome.

Regards,
Abbas.P.S

I told my consultant that I will directly submit Form 19 at EPFO. However, he is telling me that I am inviting problems, as the officers may dig into the files and put a hold on the claim. This is because the company has not been paying any contributions since Feb '10, as there are no employees in the company now.

Please suggest.

Regards,
Nusrath Khan

Dear Nusrath Khan, you have mentioned that since February 2010, the company is not contributing to PF, as there are no employees. That means in your case, the full contribution has gone to EPF. Then why do you have to bother? There is no rule that the employer should be the messenger to hand over Form 19 to the PF Office. But remember, the formality to submit the form is first, you fill out the form and get it endorsed by the employer. Ask the PF authorities for acknowledgment of the photocopy.

The reason I suggested this method is that when you approach the PF authorities for withdrawal, they will inform you whether the employer has remitted full dues towards your contribution. If there is a due of one or two months, they can also provide the balance amount. (I convey this based on information from my RPFC Office).

Ask your consultant what other remedies there are besides this. The difficulty will arise if the employer was not prompt in remittance. To know the details, you either have to obtain them from the employer or from the EPF authorities. Only then can you proceed further.

Regards, Abbas P.S.