Confused About PF Withdrawal? System Shows Settled, But I Haven't Applied! How to Escalate?

Dear Team, I am writing to seek your assistance with the following issue:

I worked with a consultancy on a contract basis for 8 months. The consultancy's PF office is based in T. Nadu. After my contract ended, I approached the consultancy to withdraw my PF. However, they informed me that since the PF office is located in T. Nadu, I cannot withdraw my PF before completing 1 year, but I can transfer the PF.

I have now secured a new job and am attempting to transfer my 8-month PF amount with the existing one. However, the system indicates that the claim has already been settled, making it impossible to transfer. I have not initiated any PF transfer through the consultancy, and I have not received any messages or funds in my account.

Please advise me on how to escalate this issue.

Thank you.

Steps to Address PF Withdrawal Issues

You may write to the Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner because this seems to be an act of the employer (your consultancy agency) who should have withdrawn the amount. For withdrawing PF, there is no service limit; even one month's contribution can be withdrawn or transferred. For withdrawing the Pension Fund contribution, there is a service requirement, and that also is just 6 months.

Possible Instances of Cheating to Check

1. At the time of joining the PF, whether the telephone number given was yours or not.
2. Did you link the account with Aadhaar?

You may also check the above details in the member portal.