EPFO Streamlines PF Withdrawal Process, Eliminating Cancelled Cheque and Employer Verification Requirements. This benefits 7.7 crore members and reduces claim delays.
EPFO Claim Update: The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has provided significant relief to its millions of members. Online PF withdrawal applications no longer require uploading cancelled cheques or employer approval for bank account verification. This benefits approximately 7.7 crore EPF members and reduces claim-related complaints and delays. Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced this on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "Two major reforms have been implemented to simplify and expedite the claim settlement process for EPF members and employers."
No More Need for Cheque Leaf or Passbook Copies
EPFO has decided that uploading a photo of a cheque leaf or an attested bank passbook is no longer mandatory when filing online claims. Initially, this feature was implemented as a pilot project for some KYC-updated users from May 28, 2024, and is now applicable to all EPF members. When a bank account is linked to the Universal Account Number (UAN), the account holder's name is already verified; therefore, uploading documents is unnecessary. This will also reduce the number of claim rejections due to poor image quality.
No Employer Approval Required for Linking UAN to Bank Account
EPFO has also ruled that employer approval is no longer needed to link a bank account to a UAN. Previously, when EPFO members linked their bank accounts, employer approval was mandatory after bank verification. Bank verification took three days, but employer approval took an average of 13 days, causing delays. This problem is now resolved, and any member can update their new bank account number and IFSC code; only Aadhaar OTP verification is required.
Number of Members Benefiting
This change will immediately benefit approximately 1.49 lakh EPFO members whose bank linking requests were awaiting employer approval. Currently, out of 7.74 crore active EPFO members, 4.83 crore have already linked their bank accounts. This change will make the process more convenient and faster, reducing member complaints.
