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
Filing your Income Tax Return (ITR) is not just about meeting deadlines—it’s about choosing the…
Retirement planning in India is often misunderstood. Many people think any long-term savings or investment…
You’ve probably seen the same property quoted at different prices. One person says ₹60 lakh,…
Buying insurance is easy. Getting your claim settled—that’s where the real test begins. For any…
Gifting immovable property—like land, plots, or houses—is super common in India. Families often do it…
Most people believe that investing alone is enough to create wealth. But in reality, many…
This website uses cookies.
View Comments
Hi Sreekanth ,
In 2007 i have left my company and I did not withdraw my pf amount. after that i got a new job and in Dec2016 left the 2nd compnay and now i want to claim both PF a/cs . How to claim my old PF Account?
My OLD PF account is just of 5 digits in my salary slip PF ac no.is of 5 digit & EPS ac no is also 5 digits with that I am unable to get any information in online. Please help me.
Thanks and Regards
Amit Tah
Dear Amit,
Your old EPF a/c would have become in-operative one.
Suggest you to submit whatever details you can at in-operative helpdesk. The EPFO will get back to you with your PF a/c details and future course of action.
Second EPf a/c - Suggest you to submit withdrawal form to your employer and get it processed.
Read: New EPF withdrawal forms..
hi,
I Nageswararao Nimmala, Was worked between 1992 feb to 2000 May company called Karvy consultanat PVT LTD.
Can I know the my old PF no.?
Thanks
Dear Nageshwararao..Yes, you may try submitting your request at in-operative portal. Kindly provide all the information that you have while submitting your request.
Hi,
Srikanth
I was working for a company called parmaount corporate netwrok ltd from 1997 to 2003 i am yet to claim my PF KN/BN/19211/594 in the name of B S Jayanth.
pls help me to know the status and do the neeful to withdraw the same.
Regards
jayanth
Dear Jayanth..You can submit your request through in-operative helddesk and I am sure you will get response from the EPFO.
Incase if you are employed and contributing to EPF scheme, you can transfer the old a/c monies to new one, else you can withdraw the funds.
Hi Sreekanth Reddy,
In 2007 i have left my company and I did not withdraw my pf amount. after that i got a new job and in Dec2016 left the 2nd compnay and now i want to claim both PF a/cs . How to claim my old PF Account?
My OLD PF account is just of 5 digits in my salary slip PF ac no.is of 5 digit & EPS ac no is also 5 digits with that I am unable to get any information in online. Please help me.
Thanks and Regards
Satish Kumar
My father he was not in this world I know he was pf but I don't know number and any thing how can I get all information about all that
Hi Sreekanth,
I had checked my PF balance in my Inoperative Account and i had around 1800.00 RS. In my request to EPFO itself i gave my complete Account details like my Account Name, IFSC Codes, etc.
Now my query here is, do i need to submit the Form 10 & 19 to withdraw the amount or EPFO will automatically transfer the amount to my Account which i had provided?
Dear Vanji..If the details submitted by you match with details that are available in EPFO's database, they may automatically transfer it to your bank account.
Did you any sms or email message from them after submitting the details.
Hi Sreekanth,
I had raised the query and i got the reply from them in EPFO website as well as SMS that i need to sumit Form-19 & From 10C dually filled by my ExEmployer along with Cancelled Cheque leaf.
I have only one Bank Account and so obviously the details provided should match with EPFO database.
Please advise do i need to got ahead and submit the above mentioned documents to claim my money.
Thanks!
Dear Vanji..If they have advised so, suggest you to submit the documents. (I assume that you are not contributing to EPF scheme now and not employed currently)
Hi Sreekanth,
Thanks a lot. The above mentioned query is related to my Inoperative Account which is not operative for the last 5 years. So i thought of withdrawing it.
Anyways i will then submit the required documents and try to withdraw through the regular process.
Thanks!
Which Document Required to Claim In Operative account, My Old Company's Contractor change so what to i do.
I have submitted the query and got reply from EPFO helpdesk that there is some balance in my inoperative PF account. But i do not have the PF account number. EPFO also not confirmed me the account number. Is there any way to get the PF Number
Dear Ravi..You submit your grievance to EPFO, click here..
Also, check your salary-slips or final settlement docs.
Sir I have lost my pan card but I have xerox in the withdrawl of pf amount whether we have to give pan number or we have to shoe original pan card
Dear Amrutha..You can enclose photocopy only.
But suggest you to apply for re-issue of PAN card.
Hi,
I have query regarding recent changes for PF withdrwal. Now latest rule says that you can not withdraw employer's PF contribution till you are 60 years. Now as I am not working anymore so there will be no contribution to my PF A/c . So does this mean after 36 months no interest will be added to PF A/C ?. Moreover my PF A/C is managed by a TRUST. So I can not check balance as well. I know my UAN but it is of no use. So please suggest what is the way to get my PF money back?
Dear Surya,
It is not 60 years. Kindly read : Latest EPF withdrawal rules 2016.
Hey Sreekanth,
I had raised a query on EPFO In Operative Account Help Desk almost a month ago regarding withdrawal of PF money from one of my inoperative Account. But i had not received any response from them. I had provided all the required details, but still they have not come back. May i know whats the issue with the delay.
Thanks!!