ESI Deductions: Can I Get My Money Back If I Didn't Use the Benefits After Resigning?

Hi, can anyone give me an idea about ESI process? My question is: "From salary, some amount is being debited for ESI every month. What if I am not availing any ESI benefits from my company while I was working, and after I resigned from my job, will I get back the money that was deducted from my salary?"

ESI contribution is an insurance contribution for you. Insurance contributions are not repayable to you. ESIC pays only sick leave benefits, accident benefits, and accident compensation from the insurance contributions.

While I was working, I did not avail ESI at all, but some amount has been deducted from my salary for ESI alone. Can you please explain where this money will go?

Understanding ESIC Contributions

ESIC is a statutory obligation; hence, employees who come under the ESI purview are liable to pay ESI contributions. The company will deduct 1.75% from your salary/wage, add another 4.5%, and pay the total amount to ESI on a monthly basis on or before the 15th of the preceding month. Therefore, whatever amount is deducted from your salary will go to ESIC.

Whether you avail of it or not, the contributions are to be paid as long as you are under the purview of ESIC. There are certain occasions when the contribution will not be deducted:

1) Your salary exceeds the ESIC coverage purview, i.e., more than Rs. 21,000/- per month.
2) Your company has not opted for ESIC by providing more facilities than those offered by ESIC.
3) You are not working.
4) You are working in organizations exempted due to the non-implementation of ESIC in that specific area.

Regards,
Kamesh