I feel that the rejection rate of PF claims have gone up in the recent past; Some of the rejection reasons that I have come across in the recent past are
a) "Break in Service Certificate" - The most common reason for rejection for pension cases these days. I do not understand why this is required even when accounts are merged and NCP details are filed by the employer -- all data is available with EPFO and yet they ask for this. The problem for the member is to obtain this certificate from past employer / employers.. we have see enough cases here where both present ans past employers just do not respond to employee requests.
b) "Update Reason of Leaving" - The employee, on his resignation, was exited with the reason "CESSATION (SHORT SERVICE) - Any Other reason". We have asked the member to register a grievance.
c) "Bank AC found linked to another Member ID" - I found this strange as the member in question had worked with ONLY us in his entire working life and his bank KYC was with the same AC through out. This is probably an outlier event where transposition / error in typing of AC number by some other member resulted in this strange case; one of them is incorrect. The PF member filed a grievance and received a totally vague reply ... QUOTE "For any updation in Aadhar number / member name / ..../..../ Date of Joining, member need to submit or email us joint declaration along with documentary evidence attested by employee and employer and forward to EPFO Office" UNQUOTE. In any case we have asked the affected member to do a new bank KYC and reapply for withdrawal.
EPFO has ample reasons for this over cautious approach with so many cases of false claims, unscrupulous employers keeping their personal / company AC as bank KYC etc.. but in this the genuine and honest member gets harassed with unnecessary delays in his settlement.
Another very common thing I see is the hesitation of Employers to help employees, past & present, in resolving such issues.
Just thinking out aloud!!
Regards