Navigating Benefits After My Brother's Passing: What Can We Request from His Employer?

Hi, my brother was working as a site engineer. He passed away while in service due to health reasons. He was employed by one of the leading construction companies in Bangalore. He had completed a BE in Electrical & Electronics and had 13 years of work experience, with 7.5 years in his last company. His parents have received the PF amount, but the PF pension plan is still in process. Gratuity has been cleared. However, the company has not issued any settlement letter, so we are unaware of the basis for the calculation of the amount received through the PF office. Can I request the same information from the company? Also, are there any other benefits or entitlements that should be provided to his parents since he was unmarried?

I regret hearing about what your family is going through. It is a really difficult moment, and I will pray to the Lord, my God, to give you and especially your parents the courage.

Please approach the company's HR/owner and ask for the settlement papers. Also, find out from your late brother's colleagues about any dues usually received in such incidents. Since your brother passed away due to health reasons, which I presume were known, I fear your parents might receive limited support unless the company voluntarily helps your family.

Are you currently working? If not, to support your family on humanitarian grounds, you may request support from the company.

Regards,
Ukmitra

My heartfelt condolences to you and your family. I request you to follow the advice given by Ukmitra ji. Please ensure whether the settlement of IFund under PF is completed or not. Pension is payable to the family members under the Pension Scheme. However, the amount of monthly pension is not attractive.

Regards,

I am sorry to read about your family's loss. You have already received some good advice. What I may add is, did your brother have insurance coverage through the company? If yes, then you may have to read through their fine print to see if they have anything to offer. He spent 7.5 years in that construction company and succumbed to ill health. You can approach the company only on humanitarian grounds for any additional help. By the book, they may not have much to offer. As for the PF pension, it is not very attractive.

Regards,
K.

My heartfelt condolences to you and your family.

Available Benefits in Case of Death

For your reference and knowledge, the following benefits are available in case of death:

• **Group Mediclaim:** If he underwent any hospitalization (generally a minimum of 24 hours is necessary) before death and incurred expenses, his parents shall be eligible to receive reimbursement. This is subject to him being covered under the organization's policy.

• **Group Personal Accident Policy:** In the event of accidental death during duty or while in service (subject to policy details), his parents are eligible to receive the insurance amount. As per the law, if an employee is not covered under ESIC, the company must cover him under the personal accident policy as per the Workmen Compensation Act, 1923.

• **Provident Fund (PF):** Please confirm whether they have their own PF trust or contribute to the Government PF authority to coordinate accordingly with the concerned authority.

i) **Provident Fund:** His parents can withdraw the provident fund amount.

ii) **Pension Amount:** His parents can receive the pension amount.

iii) **EDLI:** His parents can receive benefits of the pension amount. On the death of an employee who is a member of the Fund or a provident fund exempted under section 17 of the Act, the persons entitled to receive the provident fund accumulations of the deceased shall, in addition to such accumulations, be paid an amount equal to the average balance in the account of the deceased in the Fund or a provident fund of this membership, whichever is less. Except where the average balance exceeds rupees fifty thousand, the amount payable shall be rupees fifty thousand plus 40% of the amount in excess of rupees fifty thousand, subject to a ceiling of rupees One Lakh and Twenty Thousand.

• **Gratuity:** His parents shall become eligible to receive the gratuity amount as per his tenure with the organization.

I hope I have provided you with sufficient information as required. I appeal to the rest of the members to contribute if I have missed anything.

If you need any help to clear any doubts, please feel free to write to us. We will definitely try to help. A delay in response might occur due to our busy schedule, but we will try to make time and revert to you on time. I hope other members also agree with my statement.

Please take care, and may God bless you and your family.

Regards,
Tushar Swar