EPF Advance to Fight COVID-19 Pandemic – FAQ & Steps

Government of India recently announced that any employee who is enrolled in EPF Scheme, 1952 with UAN (Universal account number) employed in any establishment or factory covered under EPF & MP Act, 1952 shall be eligible for an non-refundable EPF advance.

This advance does not require an employee to submit any certificate or documents  for availing the benefit. An employee can get non-refundable withdrawal to the extent of the basic wages and dearness allowances for three months or up to 75% of the amount standing to your credit (includes employee’s share, employer’s share and interest) in the EPF  account, whichever is less. 

The only condition for online application is that the UAN shall be validated with Aadhaar and KYC of Bank account and Mobile number is
done with UAN.

Steps to file online advance claim for the purpose “Outbreak of pandemic (COVID-19)”

1. 1. Login to Member Interface of Unified Portal (https://unifiedportalmem.epfindia.gov.in/memberinterface)
2. Go to Online Services>>Claim(Form-31,19,10C & 10D)
3. Enter last 4 digits of your Bank Account and verify
4. Click on “Proceed For Online Claim”
5. Select PF Advance (Form 31) from the drop down
6. Select purpose as “Outbreak of pandemic (COVID-19)” from the drop down
7. Enter amount required and Upload scanned copy of cheque and enter your address
8. Click on “Get Aadhaar OTP”
9. Enter the OTP received on Aadhaar linked mobile.
10. Claim is submitted

Claim through UMANG App

Through UMANG (Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance) Mobile APP Home> EPFO> Employee Centric Services> Raise Claim> Login with your UAN and OTP received on your mobile number registered with UAN to file claim.

Pre-Requisites

1. UAN should be activated.
2. Verified Aadhaar should be linked with UAN. Your Aadhar should be linked with a mobile number.
3. Bank Account with IFSC code should be seeded with UAN

Withdrawal application can be of lesser amount than 75% of three month’s Basic + DA. 

To activate your UAN:

• Log on to https://unifiedportal-em.epfindia.gov.in/memberinterface/
• Click on “Activate your UAN” option.

Advance claim processing does not require your employer’s consent/signatures therefore, there is no dependency of the establishment/employer on the claim process. But, if the KYC is not seeded with UAN, the same shall be uploaded by employee and approved by employer.

Detailed FAQ issued by EPFO