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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View Comments
Hi All,
I have total 3 PF accounts, where as i could only transfer my previous account to my current account. Can anyone suggest how to claim or transfer my first PF amount.
Thank you
Santhu
Dear Linus,
You can consolidate your EPF accounts.
You can get the transfer done through offline mode as well. Kindly contact your ex-employers and submit Form 13.
Kindly go through below articles :
* How to consolidate multiple EPF Accounts? What is EPFO’s One Employee – One EPF Account initiative?
* New EPF Composite Declaration Form-11 for automatic EPF Transfer on change of Job!
Hi Sir,
I am Jeeva. My PF account is inoperative for 6 years. Is it possible for me to claim the PF amount which is inoperative through Inoperative EPF Account with the details of my previous employment.
Please help me in this regard.
Thank you.
Regards,
Jeeva
Dear Jeeva,
Yes, it is possible.
May I know if you are currently employed and contributing to EPF scheme again?
I am having inoperative account in Andhra Pradesh I want to transfer to new account in Mumbai I am unable to go Andhra Pradesh now what is the process
Dear Sandeep,
You can submit transfer request through your employer or ex-employer. Contact your employer for offline transfer or submit online transfer request if it is possible.
Dear Sreekanth Reddy,
Thanks for the information your blog is nice, How can I Establishment User Name Change Online ?
Please tell me the step Online process.
Regards,
MD HASANUZZAMAN
Cont No: + 91 99335966**
Dear Abu..I am unable to understand your query.. kindly rephrase it!
Hi Sreekanth,
My Name in the EPFO UAN Portal is incorrect. I have submitted the Name correction Application form twice through my current Employer for attestation. Its been Almost 4 Months and I have not got any update or changes happened in the tool. So I have a request in the inoperative help desk tool. Could you please help me when it will get fixed.
Thanks Tilak Raj
Dear Tilak,
In case your Aadhaar is not linked to your UAN, you can submit name correction request through online mode as well.
You may submit your grievance to the EPFO, to speed up the process (name correction..0 ... click here..
H Sreekanth, thanks for your reply. My Aadhar is already linked and I have tried doing that but it's not accepting.
Thanks Tilak
Hi Sreekanth,
I have followed the manual process for the first time for my inoperative epf account details through inoperative epf account help desk. After completing all the details on all screens including KYC Details, and finally when I hit "Generate Pin" Button. I am not getting any PIN Message. The screen remains same.
I have a doubt, Can I submit my (Attested & Signed) PF Withdrawal forms (Form 19 and Form 10C) of my Ex-Employer to the below address through courier. Will they process the EPF Withdrawal
Address of Office of Regional Office, Delhi South
EPFO Complex,
Plot No. 23, Sector-23,
Dwarka, New Delhi - 110075
Thanks
Sunil
Dear Sunil,
If your Aadhaar has been linked and verified in UAN interface then you can submit CCF form directly to the EPFO regional office (where your account is being administered).
Kindly go through this article..
Hi Srikkanth,
My Aadhaar has not been linked and not verified in UAN for former company (SnapOn), South Delhi. And Current I am working in a company in Hyderabad, where Aadhar has been successfully linked and verified in UAN.
Since Delhi is far from Hyderabad, Can I submit my (Attested & Signed) PF Withdrawal forms (Form 19 and Form 10C) of my Ex-Employer (SnapOn) to the below address through courier. Will they process the EPF Withdrawal, or Do I need to visit Delhi (EPF Office) to submit the (Attested & Signed) PF Withdrawal forms (Form 19 and Form 10C) by hand to the officer. Please let us know if anything is required.
Address of Office of Regional Office, Delhi South
EPFO Complex,
Plot No. 23, Sector-23,
Dwarka, New Delhi – 110075
Dear Sunil,
If you are currently employed and contributing to EPF scheme, you need to transfer funds from your old EPF ac to current one.
You may take help of your current employer to get the funds transferred.
HI SHREEKANTH
I LODGED A COMPLAINT BEFORE A WEEK AGO BUT STILL WAITING FOR HELPDESK RESPONSE
Today 9/5/18 I submitted my registration form after inserting the PIN ...its given an error message
Dear Mary ..Can be a temporary tech issue. Kindly try again..
what is the employer's liability in case of amounts lying under "inoperative deposits" specifically if the PF deposits are maintained by an exempted trust
Dear dipa,
I am not sure about the guidelines in this regard.
I think if the funds lie idle for more than 7 years, such amounts are then transferred to 'Senior Citizens Welfare Fund' maintained by the Finance ministry of central govt. You may kindly go through this link (EPFO Notification)...
But, one can try contacting his/her ex-employer and withdraw the funds from idle EPF account(s).
Sir,
My self Krishna Bihari Pandey I have submitted my inoperative epf account details through inoperative epf account help desk on date 14th April 18 but till dates we have not received any massage from helpdesk. Please suggest me what can I do.
Regards
Krishna
Dear Krishna,
If possible, kindly contact your ex-employer.
You may also try submitting your grievance to epfo..click here..