Employer Shutdown in India: How Can I Withdraw My Provident Fund Without Their Help?

Hi, my employer has shut down its operations in India. I tried to contact the PF Officer regarding withdrawal, but they asked me to go through the employer. I have no idea how to withdraw my provident fund.

Regards,
Saurabh

Dear Saurabh,

You have not provided any other information such as:

1. The company where you have worked and the location of the PF office.
2. The number of years you have worked in this organization.
3. The date when you left the organization.
4. Whether you have any proof of PF documentation like PF Number/Establishment code.

If you are clear on the above details, you can download Form No. 10 and Form No. 19 from the EPF website, fill out the forms, and get them signed by the bank manager where you maintain your savings bank account.

After obtaining the signature, if you left the job three years ago, you will need to obtain an affidavit from a local notary and send it or hand it over to your EPF office. Once you receive an acknowledgment, after 60 days, they will process your application and credit it to your bank account.

I hope this clarifies things for you. If not, please contact me.

Regards,
Lakshminaryana
[Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons]

The claim should preferably be attested by the employer under whom the member was last employed. If, for any reason, the claimant is unable to get the application attested by their ex-employer, they may forward the claim to the Provident Fund Office, duly clarifying the position after getting it attested by any of the following authorized officials:

1. Manager of the bank where the member is holding an account
2. Head of the educational institution
3. A gazetted officer
4. Sub-Post Master
5. The Magistrate
6. Chairman/Secretary/Panchayat/Member of Municipal District/Local Board
7. Self, in case no one is available to sign, and forward to your regional PF Office by Registered A.D.

Regards,
Jayesh Patel

You can also get your Form-19 & 10C signed by any MLA/MP with an enclosed certificate from them, stating that the concerned MLA/MP has known you for many years.

You may submit attested PF withdrawal forms with a covering letter explaining that the establishment has been closed through RPFC in the nearest PF office under proper acknowledgment. It is always better to transfer the PF and keep the account regular to be eligible for many benefits, including a pension.

Friends have provided you with adequate guidance that should suffice. However, it's important to quote correctly the Employer's code and your EPF A/c in the forms you are submitting either for withdrawal or for transfer to your current EPF/employment if you are employed in India presently (your member ID mentioned you are from the UK).

Gather all documents connected with your EPF A/c, including your Member's EPF A/c statement supposed to have been issued every year, any correspondences regarding EPF, etc. You have not mentioned how long you served in this company and from when you started contributing to your EPF A/c. If possible, catch hold of your erstwhile colleagues who would have similar problems and have (yet to be) settled like you; take their help as well. It's not impossible or an unsolvable mystery. Probably it may take some more weeks to fall in line to submit the forms with relevant details/certification, provided you are in India.

Regards

No employer can refuse to sign withdrawal (10C/19B) or transfer (13) forms of any employee, and it is a punishable offense under the EPF & MP Act. You can file your application, complete in all respects, directly to the RPFC along with a letter clearly mentioning that your employer refuses to sign. The RPFC will obtain the employer's signature through their respective inspectorate if the establishment is operational.

Getting the signatures from other officials or the bank is required when the establishment is closed.

Regards,
P.K. Sharma

Thank you, dear friends, for your valuable suggestions. I worked with this company from April 2009 until May 2011. Currently, I am not working in India; I am working abroad. I appreciate all your prompt responses. I have received the required information and will try to withdraw the PF using the above information.

Regards,
Saurabh

Hi Saurav, I had the same scenario. You can inquire with the PF office and fill out the forms. That will be automatically credited without your employer's support.

Seniors have sorted out your problem, so please go ahead and act accordingly. Ensure to fill the form correctly with two attested passport photos on both forms. One more important thing, don't overwrite.

Thank you.

You can transfer your PF to your new employer's PF account if you know the PF number of your previous company.

Regards,
Nirmal Shah

If you could not send the PF claim forms through your employer, you can get the signature of the MP or MLA of your area on the form, duly filled in, and send it to the PF authorities for the settlement of the claim. This information is available in the claim form instructions. Please follow.

Regards,
D. Gurumurthy

Hello all,

Thank you for your suggestions. I did submit the forms, and they were accepted, but the claim was rejected stating that I need to submit Form 15G. As per my research, being an NRI, I cannot submit Form 15G. Can someone suggest any alternatives?

Regards, Saurabh

Since you are withdrawing PF before five years of contribution, income tax is attracted if the amount is more than Rs 30,000.