EPF claims settlement to get quicker; here's why

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation ( EPFO) stated that the periodicity of claim settlement and the productivity in offices across the country were discussed and deliberated in the Zonal Review Conference chaired by the CPFC on April 30, 2024.

As a result, to expedite claim settlement within the timeframes specified. A link office setup for multi-location claim settlement is being made, the EPFO said in a recent circular.

Also read: New EPF auto-settlement claim rules for medical, education, marriage, housing: How to use this facility, eligibility

By allowing for multi-location claim settlement, this feature will speed up member claims processing and replace the current geographical jurisdiction structure along with productivity in offices nationwide.

This facility was first launched in 2020 by the EPFO department.

According to the EPFO circular dated May 8, 2024, “The effective functioning of the link arrangement between Delegating Regional Office (DRO) - Collaborating Regional Office (CRO) shall be the responsibility of the RPFCs In-charge of both these offices, who are expected to work in close co-ordination to ensure that the desired results in the claim settlement periodicity is achieved without any issues.

The ACCs of the Zones in respect of both DRO and CRO shall closely monitor the performance of the offices and facilitate proper implementation of the above work arrangement.”

Also read: How many days does it take to settle an EPF withdrawal claim?

It will minimize delays by evenly dispersing the burden linked to claim settlement across the country.

Which EPF claims can be processed?

All types of online EPF claims, i.e., provident fund, pension, partial withdrawal and claims and transfer claims can be processed under this initiative, the EPFO stated.

With the ability to resolve online claims from any of its regional offices nationwide, the facility will usher in a paradigm change for EPFO offices.

Incorrect payments
In order to prevent any incorrect payments, it will be the DRO's duty to guarantee that the establishments linked with the CRO have accurate member and establishment data free from legacy issues, such as pending reconciliation or instances of short balances.

As per the circular “It shall be the responsibility of the DRO to ensure that the establishments mapped with the CRO have clean member and establishment data without any legacy issue e.g., pending reconciliation or cases of short balances, etc. So as to avoid any erroneous payments.”