Stuck with Delayed PF Clearance: How Can I Finally Get My Funds Released?

Hi All, I have a query. My past employer has kept my PF clearance on hold for a long time. Whenever I call them, they give vague reasons and say that it will get cleared. It has been more than 5 months since I have been following up, and through some sources, I came to know that they have not processed my request for PF withdrawal at all. Can anyone suggest a way to get my PF withdrawn?

Regards,
Julee

PF is an employee's right; no company has the authority to cease or hold it. There is a procedure through which you can get your PF without any assistance from your ex-employer. Here is what can be done...

Once you leave the company, the employer has no right to stop your PF. They can refuse to sign the form or unnecessarily delay it for harassment, but the truth is they have no control over PF.

Steps to Transfer Your PF

There are measures that can be followed to get the amount transferred to your new account. When a member finds it difficult to get the form attested by the employer, they can get the attestation on Form 19 and 10 C from any of the following officers and send it to the Provident Fund office:

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

Also, in addition to this, I would suggest that you do not withdraw your PF. If you are working in another company, it is always advisable to get it transferred to your new PF account.

Regards,

Thanks, Archana, for your valuable feedback. I will proceed as you suggested. Regarding the transfer, the new office doesn't have PF deduction.

One more thing, will my past employer come to know that I have got my PF cleared from outside? Can they possibly try to stop that or get it delayed again?

Regards,
Julee

It is not possible for the ex-employer to meddle with the application form or payment once it is cleared by the PF authorities. They have no right to stop the payment or delay it at any cost. You need not worry about that. In fact, they may not be aware that you are getting the settlement unless you inform them.