The
pandemic has cast its shadow across various economic activities with massive
dislocation in global production, supply chains and trade. In wake of the current nationwide lock down as directed by
Government of India due to issue of Covid-19, a need has been felt to extend
the timelines for processing of various investor requests pertaining to
Compliance and disclosures to be made under EPF .
Employees’ Provident Fund Organization, India,
Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India has issued FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS ON EPF ADVANCE TO FIGHT COVID-19 PANDEMIC Dated 26/04/2020.
Ministry vide FAQ’s ON EPF
ADVANCE TO FIGHT COVID-19 PANDEMIC dated 26.04.2020 states:
Q1: What is
the process for change in name on marriage of a woman member against UAN when
changes are made in Aadhaar?
Ans. The name change process if
the Aadhar data is changed is similar to other change requests. Member has to
apply online and employer will digitally approve the request. The correction
request can be submitted online or offline (joint request) along with a copy of
the marriage certificate or such other documents which can prove that only the
name of the member has changed from before marriage. Documents like
school records containing Father's name and Date of birth
or PAN taken before marriage etc. are a useful to show that only name has changed after marriage.
Q2: The link ‘Know your
UAN’ is not available on unified portal.
Is approaching employer for this the only option?
Ans. Visit unified member portal at https://unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in/memberinterface
· Select Member ID, Aadhaar or PAN
· Enter details such as name, date of birth, mobile number and e-mail id
as per EPFO records
· Click on the “Get Authorization Pin” option
· A Pin will be sent to your mobile number registered with EPFO
· Enter the Pin and your UAN will be sent to the mobile number
Q.3: I have already applied
advance for illness in March 2020 which is pending. I
want to apply for advance to fight COVID pandemic now.
What should I do?
Ans. During pendency of any other advance, the
application for COVID-19 claim is permitted.
Q.4: KYC updation needs approval by Employer by
using his DSC. When Establishment is closed and there is no Employer, who is to approve the same?
Ans. The approval of KYC by
employer is an online facility which can be operated irrespective of
the location. Please request the employer to approve the KYC.
Q5: For filing
of claim a copy of cheque with name of member or copy of
pass book is to be uploaded. Member does not have name on his cheque
leaf and it is now difficult to get it from
Bank. Even going to bank and getting an attested copy of bank
statement is not easy as Banks are far away. What is the other option that can be made available?
Ans. As per prevailing
instructions it is mandatory to upload a cheque leaf containing
the printed name of the member, or the first page of the bank
Passbook or bank statement containing the name, account number and IFSC. This
is required to ensure that the bank account number uploaded in the KYC is correct and erroneous payments are avoided.
Q.6: I have worked for two
companies and working in third one now. How to get PF accumulations of earlier
companies transferred to present one so that I can file
claim for COVID advance?
Ans. In case the name, date of
birth and gender in all the accounts is same, the member can apply online for
transfer through his login. The present UAN should be validated with
Aadhar. In case of difference once he gets the basic details
corrected in other accounts, he can apply online.
Q.7: You
claim to settle COVID advance claims within 72 hours? It is over 4
days when I applied. I have still not received the money
in my bank account. Why?
Ans. EPFO settles claims for
availing advance to fight COVID-19 pandemic within 03 working days. After
processing of the claims, cheque is sent to the bank for crediting amount to
bank account of the claimant. Bank usually take additional one to three working
days to credit advance in your bank account.
Q.8: I live in city A and
work in City B. However, Head Office of my company is in city
C. Which EPF office has to be contacted for any
matter?
Ans. You should approach EPF
office where your establishment is registered. To find concerned EPF
office where your establishment is registered visit https://unifiedportal- e pfo.epfindia.gov.in/publicPortal/no-auth/misReport/home/loadEstSearchHome
· Fill in establishment PF code or name
· Enter captcha and click on search
· Establishment details will appear in tabular format.
· Confirm the establishment Id, Name and Address and in column
four EPF office name is provided.
Q.9: I need to contact the
EPF office through email or phone.
Please provide me contact details of EPF office.
Ans. Please visit www.epfindia.gov.in/site_en/Contact_usphp Click
on the Zonal office under which EPF Regional/District office falls>>
Click on concerned Regional/District office to get their contact details.
Q.10: I have applied for
COVID epidemic advance. How to check status of my claim?
Ans. Visit https://passbook.epfindia.gov.in/MemberPassBook/Login Click
online services>> track claim status.
Q.11: I work in a company in Jammu which was
covered under J&K PF Act. Since last year this company is covered under
Employees Provident Fund Act, 1952. Can I file claim for fighting
COVID pandemic?
Ans. Yes member can apply for advance from the
contributions received by EPFO.
Q.12: Why your toll-free
number is not accessible?
Ans. Services will be
resumed shortly. Pending resumption of services, you may contact
us on our Facebook and twitter handle “socialepfo”. You
can raise your grievances at epfigms.gov.in.
Q.13: I have a balance of
Rs 100000 in my PF account and applied
for Rs 75000 advance for COVID. At the rate of
75%, I should get Rs. 75000. Why a much lesser amount has been credited to my account?
Ans. The 75% of the amount
standing to your credit is maximum permissible limit
and the same is applicable if it is lesser than
basic wages and dearness allowances for three
months. If 75% of
the balance is more than three months wages, advance
equal to three months wages (Basic+DA) is sanctioned as per the
rules. If your monthly wage is Rs.20000, the entitled advance amount
is Rs 60000 only. If the monthly wages are Rs 30000, the amount of advance will
be restricted to Rs.75000.
Q.14: I am not able to file
COVID claim. Please help me.
The process is also noted below:
a. Login to Member Interface of Unified Portal (https://unifiedportalmem.epfindia.gov.in/memberinterface)
b. Go to Online Services>>Claim (Form-31,19,10C & 10D)
c. Enter your Bank Account and verify
d. Click on “Proceed for Online Claim”
e. Select PF Advance (Form 31) from the drop down
f. Select purpose as “Outbreak of pandemic (COVID-19)” from the drop down
g. Enter amount required and Upload scanned copy of cheque and enter your address
h. Click on “Get Aadhaar OTP”
i. Enter the OTP received on Aadhaar linked mobile.
j. Claim is submitted
Q.15: I have balance
available in my account. How many times I
can get advance to fight COVID?
Ans. The advance to fight COVID-19 pandemic is
available once only.
Q.16: What is the last date
for applying COVID advance?
Ans. The facility for availing
advance to fight COVID-19 pandemic will be available till the pandemic
prevails.
Q.17: I have two different
UANs. The first UAN is linked with one PF member ID and the second UAN is linked with 2 different member IDs.
Can I avail COVID advance benefits?
How to get maximum benefit in this case.
Ans. Yes. In order to get maximum
benefits, you are requested to transfer all the previous services (linked with
multiple member IDs) to the latest member ID. This can be done by filing a
transfer claim. Once the service is successfully transferred your entire PF
corpus will reflect against the latest member ID. Subsequently you can file
COVID advance claim to reap maximum benefit.
Q.18: My COVID claim has
been rejected due to member details mismatch. How can I rectify this issue?
Ans. You can update your member
details by logging into member e-sewa portal available at
https://unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in/memberinterface/. Once the details
are updated you can file the claim once again.
Q.19: How can I file COVID
claim through UMANG app?
Ans:
Step 1: Open Umang app Step 2: Select EPFO
Step 3: Select “Request for Advance (COVID-19)”
Step 4: Enter your UAN details and click on 'Get
OTP' to get one-time password. Use this OTP to login in your account.
Step 5: Enter the OTP and click on login. Once you
are logged in you are required to enter the last four
digits of your bank account and select the member ID from the drop-down menu.
Click on “Proceed for claim”
Step 6: Enter your address. Click on 'Next'.
Step 7: Upload the cheque image with your account
number and name printed on it. Once all the details are entered, your claim
will be successfully filed.
Q.20: I have left the
service but not yet availed the final PF withdrawal benefits. Can
I still avail the COVID advance?
Ans. Yes. COVID advance can be filed by any PF
subscriber. Since you have not withdrawn your PF funds you are still a PF
member.
DISCLAIMER: THE
ARTICLE IS BASED ON THE RELEVANT PROVISIONS AND AS PER THE INFORMATION EXISTING
AT THE TIME OF THE PREPARATION. IN NO EVENT I SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT
AND INDIRECT RESULT FROM THIS ARTICLE. THIS IS ONLY A KNOWLEDGE SHARING
INITIATIVE.
THE AUTHOR
– CS DEEPAK SETH (ASSOCIATE PARTNER HELPINGHANDS PROFESSIONALS LLP) AND
CAN BE REACHED AT CONTACTHHPRO@GMAIL.COM OR 9910248911.
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