The Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has around Rs.27,000 crore lying in inoperative accounts. There are chances that a small portion of this unclaimed money is yours. Many employees feel that the EPF account transfer is a cumbersome process and is a painful experience. It is often observed that we just ignore to transfer the funds to the existing EPF account.
EPFO do not pay interest on the EPF account, where no contributions (no activity) have been received for 36 or more months continuously. EPFO considers this type of account as an ‘Inoperative EPF Account.’ It is a daunting task to trace an inoperative EPF account and also we hardly get any help or support from EPFO.
In this post, let us understand – How to trace an inoperative EPF account? How to trace an old Employee Provident Fund a/c? What is EPFO’s online inoperative EPF account help-desk? What is the procedure to submit an online request?
Now, things are changing for the better at EPFO. It’s a good time to remember your long forgotten EPF account. And to make your job of staking a claim easier, an EPFO inoperative account online helpdesk has been launched recently.
The helpdesk works on the basis of how much and how accurate is the information that you can provide about your old / dormant EPF account(s). So, the more you provide, the better it is.
After submitting the request to the helpdesk, your query will be forwarded to the concerned EPFO’s Field Officer (Regional office). This happens if you have provided your old company’s code (Establishment code). If you have not provided the establishment code, your query is routed to the centralized EPFO helpdesk. They will call you to get more details and then your query will be forwarded to the concerned field officer to trace the old & inoperative EPF account.
Related Latest Article : Why should you Withdraw Old EPF Account Balance? | In-operative EPF A/c Timeline
How can I check the status of my request on EPF Inoperative Account Helpdesk online portal?
EPFO helpdesk portal has a facility to track the status of your request(s), based on the reference number.
Once your account is traced by the EPFO’s field officer, you will be notified through an SMS. You need to either withdraw the monies (by submitting Form 9) or transfer your old EPF account to your current EPF account.
If you are currently employed and have activated your Universal Account Number (UAN), link the old EPF account with your current EPF Account. Once the linking is complete, you can transfer the EPF funds online.
Trace and track your old EPF accounts. Even if the amount of your claim is small, reclaim it NOW. Kindly share your views on EPF inoperative EPF account help-desk facility. Cheers!
Latest Update (30-March-2016) : The Employees Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has decided to provide Interest on Inoperative Accounts from 1st April, 2016.
Latest News (31-Oct-2016) : ‘Rate of Interest on Inoperative EPF accounts’ – EPFO to pay 8.8% as interest on Inoperative EPF (Employee Provident Fund) accounts. In case of EPF, if there is no contribution paid during the last 36 months, then that account is classified as “inoperative”. The inoperative accounts are not being paid interest since 2011. Around Rs 42,000 crore is lying in “inoperative accounts” across the country. About 9.70 crore employees will benefit from this proposed notification. Henceforth, the concept of Inoperative accounts will cease to exist. (Source : PTI & Union Labour Ministry)
Latest update (16-Nov-2017) : If an employee who is a member of EPF scheme, quits or retires from his employment and continues holding the accumulated PF balance, he/she has to pay tax on interest from the date of unemployment. So, the interest on EPF is tax-exempt only when the member is employed and the Interest credited to an employee provident fund (EPF) account after an individual ceases to be in employment is taxable in his/her hands in the year of credit. Interest that has been accrued post employment is taxable. This is as per the recent order by Income tax appellate Tribunal.
(Source: Times of India & Moneycontrol)
Continue Reading : ‘How to search, find and reclaim monies lying in inoperative Bank Accounts?’
(Reference : EPFO User Manual. Photo Credit : rediff.com)
This post was last modified on July 10, 2023 6:30 pm
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Hi shreekanth, I have been trying since more than a month now to withdraw my PF. a few weeks ago i realized that my account is now inoperative. as i am not working anywhere and i do not have another PF account, I applied on the Inoperative helpdesk. I got a reference number but i could never login into my helpdesk account as it always aid invalid ref/mobile number. Then as suggested on some other blog, I re-did the steps and again made a new account and this time i could login. I used to check it everyday since 6 days ago when i made the account, and since two days, again i am facing the same problem where it says "Either User Name or Password NOT Valid! Please Try Again with correct detail".
I even tried following the "forgot reference number" page and put in my details but it says details not valid. I am sure i have been putting in the correct details as i was able to login since last 4-5 days. Any suggestions on what shall i do next??? Thanks in advance.
Dear Varun..Suggest you to submit your grievance though EPFO helpdesk.
Very useful and informative portal. I have question. I had done all the steps till 'Once your account is traced by the EPFO’s field officer, you will be notified through an SMS. You need to either withdraw the monies (by submitting Form 9) or transfer your old EPF account to your current EPF account' for my inoperative account.
After that what I need to do? Even I have UAN no from my current company. When I will come to know that I can transfer my old pf amount (inoperative account) to my current pf account ?
Thanks,
Imran
Dear Imran..Till you get information/confirmation from EPFO. You can also track your service request based on the reference no.
Hi Shreekanth,
Its been one month, I didn't get any information/confirmation from EPFO for my inoperative account. What I can do further ? do we have any timeline for EPFO to give any information to me ?
Thanks
Dear Imran,
I am not very sure about the time-line. You may submit your grievance here..click here..
Hi Shreekanth, this is Ranjan from Mumbai. I have a query about PF account.
Is there any way to find out my PF account number from 'Company Establishment Code' details? As the company has been closed since 6+ years, I cant contact the admin dept also to get my PF account.
Do you know anyone who can help or do you have any email details whom I can contact?
Dear Jyotiranjan..You can raise service request as per the above mentioned points, kindly give whatever details you have while submitting the online request.
Once you receive SMS confirmation/info from EPFO, you may transfer the old PF monies to your new one (if you are currently employed and contributing to EPF).
Dear Sreekanth,
Thank you for answering this.
I wanted to claim my funds from previous three organisations which i worked back in 2007/10/12 i got a UAN number from my last employer my doubt is will all last worked companies come under this UAN number? I have not operated any of these pf accounts i was told to write a letter to PF commisioner. Can you please help me understand this its so confusing and mind boggling. one of my pf account number is KN/46370/36689 i have no clue how to find out my account balance. your help and time is much appreciated.
Best,
Sameer
Dear Sameer,
All the three old EPF account might have been converted into 'inoperative accounts'. Suggest you to raise a service request by following the steps given in the article.
Once you get confirmation from EPFO office, you can transfer all the monies from three accounts to your current EPF account.
Read : EPF online transfer procedure.
Hi Sreekanth Reddy,
I am residing in Bangalore. In 2007 my company was closed and I withdraw my pf amount. Now i got a new job and I need to reactivate my Pf account and I want to get UAN number for that old PF Account. How to reactivate my old PF Account? Is there any way to get UAN for that old PF A/c which I need to submit to my new employer.
My PF account is in old format with that I am unable to get any information in online. Please help me.
Thanks and Regards
Satish Kumar
Dear Satish,
You can generate UAN now online.
Once you get UAN, you can provide this to your new employer. After that you can get your KYC (bank,PAN,aadhar no) get seeded to new UAN and verified by your employer.
UAN is a unique number and only one will be issued.
Hi thank for reply, is this new UAN is linked with my inoperative PF account once it get in active mode? and is employer is able to verify all my past details of PF account once it has been linked with my old pf account?.
Dear Satish,
You can update your previous Member-Id (old EPF a/c). The name in the previous ID should match with the name of the current member-id.
hi,
Is it possible to activate UAN without Member Id?
while activating New UAN it is asking me my Member ID.
My Memeber Id is in now inoperative mode and i got information saying by ''it got settled'' and information send it to concerned regional office for further action to be taken. And they are saying they inform soon.
Dear Satish,
Yes, it is possible.
Read this article.
Hi Thanks,
In that article only UAN generation is there. But I already got UAN. I want to know is there any option to Activate that UAN without Member id is created. My Member Id is in inoperative mode and my account got settled. so system says my Member Id is wrong while I am going to activate my UAN. So Kindly guide me whether i need to wait till my new employer creates new Member-Id for me so that I can activate my UAN based on that or i can Activate it without that now itself.
Dear Satish,
Then in this scenario, sugggest you to kindly wait till you get new-member Id and then use it to activate your UAN.
Thank You very much for your suggestion on this regard. I keep in touch regarding this in future.
Satish.
Hi.
This is Indu from Pune. I had worked in a co in Mumbai in the year 2002-2004 for 18m. I did not file for claim of the pf withdrawal or transfer. It is now more than 12y. Can I now transfer that old PF to the current co PF number of UAN. Thanks. Indu. How to do that. Just follow up the above ?
Dear Indumathy,
Yup, kindly first submit 'service request' as per the above details.
After few days you may receive the status update from EPFO, then you can transfer the old EPF ac monies online.
Hi, Thanks, I got the old PF details from old salary slips discovered finally, and have submitted the online request with all details. I shall wait for their responses.
Is it mandatory to transfer those unclaimed to current UAN or can we get that credit to our acct ?
Thanks
Indumathy Narayanan.
Dear Indumathy..If you are currently employed and have active UAN, you have to transfer the funds to your new EPF a/c.
Hello sir,
I am planning to withdraw my pf amount. I heard that the new procedure of EPF withdrawal without employer's attestation has come into the picture. I am planning to withdraw through this. I just want to know which is my concerned pf office so that I can submit the related documents as well as with new procedure what time it will take to get my amount. Waiting for your reply
Dear Malik,
Kindly read : 'New EPF withdrawal forms'...
Hi Sree,
A lot of helping things here and for all these, thanks to you.
I have an inoperative a/c as my PF. I've gone through the methods as suggested by you and I'm happy to get my PF a/c no.
Now I want to withdraw the whatever deposit I got. Can I proceed directly by submitting forms? If so, which form? Is it different from the operative a/c holders? can I raise service request to know my PF balance if I don't have any existing UAN?
Could you plz mail me your suggestions....
Dear Lalit,
It is very easy to generate & activate UAN online. Once you do this you can just give missed call and get the EPF balance details.
Read:
How to generate UAN online?
How to Check EPF balance?
If you have used above service (inoperative helpdesk), you can let EPFO officer know that you are unemployed (assumption) and withdraw your EPF monies. If you are currently employed, you can transfer old ac monies to your new ac.
Hello Shree,
Thanks for responding.
I am currently employed and I already have a UAN through my current EPF a/c in Assam. But I don't want to transfer my money(from previous a/c in Maharashtra) to the existing(current) a/c. Now my question is- can I create/activate one more for the previous a/c? I won't have any problem for activating two UANs?
Dear Lalit,
If you are currently employed then ideally you have to transfer your old EPF account monies to the new one.
Read : How to make online EPF A/c transfer?
I forget my epf account number please any boldy help me name is Luncha
Hi Mr. Sreekanth Reddy. Good Day. This is L.V. Sastry, a Sr. Citizen from Hyderabad. On 30-10-2015 I sought some guidance from you about payment of PF Interest for the Inoperative PF Accout for the period beyond 36 months in respect of PF transfer from my previous Employer to present Employer. May I request you to kindly expedite the same at the earliest as I have to get about Rs.70,000/- from my previous Employer towards PF interest for the Inoperative PF account for the period beyond 36 months as my case is a PF Transfer and not PF withdrawal. Thanks. LV Sastry.
Dear Mr Sastry ..Kindly note that we only provide information for knowledge purposes and are not associated with EFPO in providing the services. Kindly contact EFPO.
Dear Sir,
When i downloaded my EPF passbook procedure and know my epf balance procedure it is showing inoperative Account. so i just want to know what is the meaning of this thing and how can i reaccess my epf account as my previous employer whose account is this is not giving any right information. what is the procedure for reactivate my account?
when is submit the on line pf transfer form current employer approved while previous employer whose account is this rejected. so in this condition how can i transfer my balance.
Please help me out.
Thanks.
Dear Prashant,
If no contributions are made for 36 months, EPF account is treated as in-operative account.
You can use above helpdesk link to contact EPFO and can request them to make it active. You can then transfer old EPF a/c money to your new one through UAN portal.