ESI and PF Services

With an aim to ensure ‘Ease of Living for Employees’, the EPFO is moving towards a digital system by introducing significant technological and procedural changes.

EPFO currently handles around 20 crore PF accounts in India.

Digitalisation of Withdrawal & Transfer of EPFO Contributions

To keep up with digitisation, the EPFO has updated the process under which subscribers can withdraw and transfer provident funds. Specifically, the EPFO has made it easier for subscribers to withdraw provident funds and deposit them directly into their bank accounts using the unified member portal. Further, on 20 February 2017 the EPFO has replaced the multiple claim forms (i.e. Forms 19, 10C and 31) with a single-page composite claim form in order to initiate the next phase of e-governance and make services more efficient and transparent for subscribers.

This change is beneficial to all subscribers, as employer verification is no longer required. However, employer verification is still required where a subscriber’s universal account number (UAN) is linked to their Aadhar (i.e. unique identification) number. Where a subscriber’s UAN number is not linked to their Aadhar number, the composite claim form must be filed online and will then require employer verification.

In keeping with its aim of providing efficient and transparent services to subscribers, the EPFO has introduced Form 11, a new composite Transfer Form which facilitates automatic transfers of provident funds from a former employer to a new one. The composite transfer form replaces the previous Form 13. Under the new Form 11, subscribers must submit certain information to their new employer, which must add it to their portal on the EPFO website.

This change also applies where a subscriber’s UAN is linked to their Aadhar number. Where a subscriber’s UAN is not linked to their Aadhar number, they must apply for a transfer using Form 13 and follow the procedure for a physical transfer.

The withdrawal process can be summarised as follows:

• A subscriber visits the UAN portal and logs in using their UAN number and password.
• The subscriber clicks on the ‘Manage’ tab and checks whether their know-your-customer (KYC) details are verified.
• If the subscriber’s KYC details are verified, they can click on the ‘Online Services’ tab and select the ‘Claim (Form 31, 19 and 10C)’ option from the drop-down menu.
• The subscriber’s KYC details will be displayed where the last four digits of their bank account would need to be entered. The subscriber can then click ‘Verify’.
• Upon verification, the subscriber should select the ‘Proceed for Online Claim’ option.
• The subscriber can authenticate their claim form by using their Aadhaar one-time pin to complete their withdrawal claim submission.
• A reference number will be generated; the subscriber can use this to check their claim’s status.

The transfer process can be summarised as follows:

• Form 11 is submitted to a new employer.
• The new employer enters the information provided in Form 11 into the employer’s portal on the EPFO website.
• The information entered into the portal is validated with information linked to the subscriber’s UAN; in case of any discrepancies, the employer must verify or update the information provided.
• A text message regarding the automatic transfer is sent to the subscriber’s registered mobile number.
• On the successful transfer of the account, a text message is sent to the subscriber’s registered mobile number.

How TaxAaram can Help You

TaxAaram, on receiving an official e-mandate/authorisation from its valued registered users, will render its seamless and hassle-free e-services, in relation to all their EPFO related e-compliances, including preparationand representation of effective and qualitative e-submissions in response to EPFO Notices u/s 7/7A of ‘The Employees Provident Fund & Miscellaneous Provisions Act 1952’, within the comforts of their homes, without even the requirement of visiting the PF department or PF consultants’ office, in the most professional and cost-effective manner.