Struggling to Get PF Withdrawal Status from Previous Employer – What Can I Do?

Hi All,

My previous Employer HSBC Software Development India Pvt Ltd. is not providing any acknowledgment of whether they have filed it or not.

PF NO: MH/34510/008613

Please direct me on what needs to be done in this case.

I had even raised a query with EPFO site, and I have just pasted the content as well. RPFCROPUNE

I had given my PF withdrawal forms in the 2nd week of October 2010.

My Joining Date: 15-12-2008
Leaving Date: 31-08-2010

My Previous employer is not providing any acknowledgment whether the PF withdrawal has been filed or not, even after following up repeatedly on a month-on-month basis. It has been 9 months (270 days) since I have left the organization.

I have even asked them if it is misplaced or if something is wrong. Please let me know so that I can come once again and fill the fresh PF withdrawal form.

It would be of great help if the Pune PF office could let me know the status of my PF withdrawal and the minimum duration the PF office takes to transfer the amount from the PF account to personal savings accounts.

Is it possible for me to personally file the PF withdrawal? If not, whom should I approach for the negligence of my previous employer?

I have also pasted the conversation I had with my previous employer below:

Mon, 16 May 2011 13:48:11 IST
Hi HSBC PF Team,
Please let me know what's stopping HSBC PF team from providing the acknowledgment copy. I have provided all the details requested by Rasika on May 3, 2011.
I was expecting/hoping that by writing a mail yesterday, today at least I would receive the acknowledgment. But even today, I only received a return receipt from Pawaskar.
Please let me know when to contact the HSBC PF Team again. If I am addressing the wrong contacts, please help/direct me to the right contacts.
PF offices are asking for the acknowledgment copy to inform the status of my PF withdrawal. The only way to get the acknowledgment is from the HSBC PF team.
Please let me know what I should do to appease the HSBC PF Team for the same.
There is no escalation matrix or exclusive PF team mail ids here, whereas my previous organization, Mphasis, provided first escalation, second escalation phone numbers, and mail ids.
If the HSBC PF team is expecting any mail to have words like "I really beg, I will be greatly thankful to the HSBC PF team, I am totally bankrupted, please do the needful," then consider the above lines as my special request, and please do the needful since I am in real need of money.
It has been 9 months since I have left HSDI Pvt Ltd. Just think if the HSBC PF team happened to be in my shoes.
Thanks,
Ravindra S

On Sun, 15 May 2011 12:41:33 +0530
Hi Rasika,
Please provide the acknowledgment copy of PF withdrawal for my future tracking purpose.
PF NO: MH/34510/008613
PAN: AWWPS3938B
Thanks,
Ravindra S

On Tue, 03 May 2011 15:44:35 +0530
Hi Rasika,
Please find the required information. Please let me know if further information is required.
PF NO: MH/34510/008613
PAN: AWWPS3938B
Thanks,
Ravindra S

On Tue, 03 May 2011 15:30:55 +0530
Ravindra,
Please provide your PF account no.
KHARABANDA
To:
"Ravindra S"
Cc:
PAWASKAR, Rasika
Date:
03-05-2011 03:21 PM
Subject:
Re: Re: Re: Fw: Regarding PF withdrawal and Full & Final settlement Letters
Ravindra,
Sincere apologies for the inconvenience caused.
Rasika,
Please revert to Ravindra on an urgent basis.
Rgds,
KHARABANDA
HR Business Partner | Regional Eng & Deployment - Europe
HSBC Software Development (India) Private Limited

From:
"Ravindra S"
To:
KHARABANDA
Cc:
Rasika
Date:
05/03/2011 02:31 PM
Subject:
Re: Re: Re: Fw: Regarding PF withdrawal and Full & Final settlement Letters
Hi,
Sorry for bringing this to your attention, but after repeatedly following up with the PF Team of HSBC, I haven't received any response or acknowledgment copy for
the PF withdrawal filed with the Maharashtra government from the HSBC PF team.
I hereby request the HSBC PF team to provide the acknowledgment copy so that I can follow up with the PF office thereafter.
Please look into the mail chain for my previous conversations with the PF team; every time I get a read receipt but the HSBC PF team doesn't share
any information related to the status of my PF withdrawal.
I request HSDI to provide the right contact details of the PF team to resolve the PF withdrawal. If required, I will follow up on a weekly basis, or else
I request the HSBC PF team to inform me when to contact them again in this regard.
Thanks,
Ravindra S

On Sun, 10 Apr 2011 11:01:11 +0530
Dear PF Team,
I have been regularly writing emails to know whether my PF withdrawal has been filed with the Maharashtra government.
On 18th Jan 2011, I had provided all the details including the consignment number wherein I had couriered the PF withdrawal forms to the Hyderabad
Branch. I am requesting HSBC if they require any further information. I haven't received any reply from the HSBC PF Team.
I have again written an email to the HSBC PF Team on 14th Feb 2011, to provide the acknowledgment.
It has been almost 8 months since I have left HSDI Hyderabad. As per a standard rule, most companies file the PF withdrawals with respective governments
where the PF account is opened after 60 days the employee has left an organization.
With respect to that, I have attached an acknowledgment copy received from my previous employer Mphasis, an EDS company, wherein I had quit on 1st Dec 2008 and
the PF withdrawal was filed on 20-Mar-2009. So they have taken 3 and a half months only. My name is available on the 4th Page in the attachment.
I have even checked with the PF office; they are asking to provide the acknowledgment so that they can track its status.
It's really painful to write repeated emails to the HSBC PF Team; it seems to me as if I am contacting some government agencies.
Please let me know if any further information is required.
Thanks,
Ravindra S

Hi Ravindra,

You have to do one thing, just prepare for legal action rather than asking for your withdrawal details, because by seeing your tread, everyone can understand that your last company is just harassing you.

Firstly, you should send a legal notice from a criminal lawyer to your last company regarding the information you are seeking.

Secondly, you can appeal to know the information about your EPF withdrawal status under the R.T.I. Act. There are various ways to get the withdrawal amount, but you should be firm with legal action because it only takes 90 days to get the money from EPF departments. More than this means there is some malfunction from your last employer.

The following points you should take into account before proceeding with legal action:

- E.P.F department issues PF account number after 90 days and issues PF passbook after one year.
- Passbook
- E.P.F Account Number (which you have)
- Salary Slip
- Bank Statement
- Your correspondence with the previous company (PAST Documents)
- Resignation letter
- Relieving letter

After collecting the above information, you may seek justice from the E.P.F commissioner of that particular area or through the Labour inspecting authority.

Please let me know your action and its result.

Hi All,

EPFO office has replied to the query by me as below:

Subject: Final Action of Your Grievance
Date: Tue, 24 May 2011 11:55:52 IST

Dear Sir/Madam,

This is with reference to your Grievance registered vide Registration Number ROPUN/E/2011/04400. It is informed that your grievance is being treated as non-actionable due to the following reason(s): Kindly mention when your form was submitted to this office and send an acknowledgment. Therefore, we are closing your grievance from this office. Please quote the same in your future correspondence.

Meanwhile, my previous employer HSBC Software Development India Pvt Ltd have blocked my personal mail ID. I am not able to forward/write any mails to them. They are getting bounced.

Thanks,
Ravindra S.

Hi All,

On July 26, 2011, I sent an email to HSDI informing them that I would file an RTI complaint against them. In response, the HSDI PF team asked me to call them.

Today, on July 27, 2011, when I called them, they notified me that my previous PF withdrawal forms had been misplaced. I have requested them to send an email explaining why I need to come and fill the form for the second time.

I need to book two tickets for both the onward and return journey, as well as one day of accommodation. They have instructed me to call them tomorrow regarding this. I will provide an update once I have spoken with them.

Thanks,

Ravindra S

On 28th July, HSDI Personnel sent an email requesting a direct call to address the issue. The individual who took the call on behalf of HSDI mentioned that they had overlooked the PF withdrawal forms. They requested me to come and fill out the forms again. In response, I stated that a mail should be sent to me explaining why I needed to travel to Hyderabad/Pune to refill the forms. HSDI is required to arrange tickets for two individuals for both the onward and return journeys, as well as accommodation for one day. How they choose to handle the situation is up to them. They asked me to call back the following day; I will provide an update after speaking with them. In a subsequent reply, they mentioned not having received my PF withdrawal forms.

Response from DTDC Courier & Cargo Ltd.

Dear Sir/Madam, Following our previous correspondence, our team investigated your complaint and confirmed the delivery of your consignment on 05th October 2010 at 13:23 Hrs to HSBC (Receptionist). As this information was retrieved from our old server, we are unable to provide a hard copy of the POD. We assure you of our commitment to quality services and appreciate your continued support.

Thank you,

Yours faithfully,

For DTDC Courier & Cargo Ltd.

I am glad that I did not make any false claims regarding sending the courier. I demanded an apology, to which they responded by apologizing for the delayed information and initially trying to blame me for false claims.

Clarification on PF Documents

In reference to the email below, we understand your concerns but would like to address some points raised based on your perceptions. Regarding the PF documents, they are to be submitted in person on the last day at the organization, which you did not do. Although you claimed to have sent them via courier to the Hyderabad office, no courier was received. Sanket had already left the organization, and it would have been advisable to contact your releasing manager before sending the courier. The forms 10C & Form 19 are submitted as per government regulations, and accuracy is crucial during submission. We urge you to send the required documents promptly as explained by Karthik. I expect your cooperation in resolving this matter for mutual benefit. Feel free to contact us for further clarifications.

In my response to this, I emphasized that my intention was not to cause harm or create complications. I expressed frustration at being targeted for someone else's mistakes and detailed my efforts to seek assistance for my PF withdrawal. I further clarified my actions and interactions with various individuals regarding my PF settlement, highlighting the numerous communications made over a period of time. I hope this helps clarify the situation.

Update on PF Withdrawal Process

Hi All, please be informed that I have forwarded the mail from DTDC. The courier of PF withdrawal forms that I sent was received on 5th Oct 2010 and was very well received by HSBC Authorities. I haven't made any false claims regarding its delivery. Please let me know if I need to send the PF withdrawal forms again.

Thanks,
Ravindra S

Response from HSBC

Ravindra, I do not think the email trails on the issue would help any of us. Kindly cooperate. Rasika has already advised you on the action anticipated from your end in the email below.

Hi Shefali, I have already informed Mr. Karthik about whether it is mandatory to fix revenue stamps. Here in Bangalore, they are not available. However, I have provided proof only to showcase my integrity when it was questioned due to a lack of evidence. Moreover, I have endured the past 10 months without being informed about the status of PF withdrawals. Despite repeated representations through emails, it shows the level of patience I have maintained.

My repeated emails were intended to support the fact that I have been correct in all aspects related to my PF withdrawals. I hereby personally request not to damage the trust of individuals and to at least reply in the future to those who have submitted their PF withdrawals/transfers on their last working day or have sent them through the post. This is a general request, considering my background in the IT/ITES industry.

Thanks,
Ravindra S

For all those visiting this thread, here is some information related to PF withdrawal. Please circulate this information among your friends or colleagues who are facing issues with their ex-employer not cooperating with their PF withdrawal or transfer.

Many individuals believe that the PF office takes more than a year to deposit your money into your account. In reality, it's the ex-employer who has not submitted your forms to the respective PF office. According to standard rules, the ex-employer must file your forms within 60 days of you leaving your previous company. Keep this in mind and start asking your previous employer for the acknowledgment copy received from the PF office after 60 days.

Usually, it will not take more than 90 days for the PF office to deposit the money into your accounts. The PF withdrawal rules state that they will deposit the amount within 30 days of receiving the forms from the respective employers.

If we all adhere to the rules and begin writing emails to the respective PF regional and central offices or by registering grievances, we will be helping ourselves by standardizing the process of PF transfer or withdrawal. The PF office will impose heavy penalties on defaulting companies.

Once you have logged onto www.epfo.gov.in to register any grievances, check if the employer has processed your PF withdrawals. Provide complete information on your repeated attempts to seek status from the employer, including the date you submitted the forms.

It is advisable to obtain an acknowledgment email on your last working day after submitting your forms to the HR team. Ideally, get a scanned copy of your filled PF forms before handing them over to HR.

The next day, send an email including the person who received your PF withdrawal or transfer forms, your respective business unit or vertical HR, reporting manager, and the BU or Vertical Head. Inform them that you have submitted your forms and request confirmation of the accuracy of the details or any additional information required.

This documentation serves as proof, and while most may not reply initially, individuals can follow up after 60 days of leaving their previous company. If submitting forms via courier, use a government speed post or registered post with an acknowledgment card. Inform your respective business unit or vertical HR, reporting manager, and the BU or Vertical Head via email as well.

Ensure you use standard courier agencies such as DTDC or DHL for delivery proof. You can request an acknowledgment or proof of delivery from the courier service after 2-3 days.

I have included a few FAQs related to PF submissions below. These details are available in the FAQ section of www.epfo.gov.in.

Regards