"Can I Get my PF Related Grievances Addressed?" - This is a question that most salaried employees in India who have tried to withdraw/transfer or even try to access their accounts through the system get in their mind. Though there is a proper grievance Redressal mechanism that is present to help out people who are in need, not many of us know about it. In fact, I can make a safe guess and say that more than 99% of us did not know that such a Grievance Redressal Mechanism for EPF matters existed. Are you one of those? If so, this article is just for you!!!
EPF Organization's Grievance Redressal System
The EPF Organization has a grievance Redressal mechanism in place and it is covered under the Consumer Protection Act. Since late last year, the EPFO has become a part of the Centralized Public Grievances Redressal and Monitoring System, which allows you to register the grievances and track their status online. It is a centralized system, so all your complaints are also monitored by the head office and they endeavor to respond to all grievances within 30 days.
What Types of Grievances are handled by this System?
Grievances related to the following are handled by this system:
1. Final Settlement/Withdrawal of EPF
2. Transfer of EPF Corpus
3. Issue of PF Statements/PF Balance
4. Payment of Insurance Benefit
5. PF Payment Cheque Returned/Lost
Any other grievance that you may have with respect to your EPF Account will also be addressed by the Grievance Redressal Mechanism.
How Do I Submit my Grievance?
The EPFO's Grievance Redressal Website is "http://epfigms.gov.in/"
The Steps to submit your request are as follows:
1. Login to the EPF Grievance Redressal Website. It would look like below:
2. Click on the “Register Grievance” link. The following page will open up
3. Fill up your EPF Account related details in the first section titled “Enter EPF Details”
4. Then fill up your personal details in the second section titled “Enter Personal Details”
5. Once done, scroll down to the third section on the page which is titled “Enter Grievance Details”
6. Select your Grievance Category correctly and clearly explain your Grievance and submit your request.
Once your request is submitted, the EPF Organizations Grievance Redressal Team will look into your request and will respond to you within 30 days.
I submitted a grievance on Oct 30th 2012, no response or action taken yet. What else can I do?
ReplyDeleteHi,
DeleteThe article titled What Options Do I Have if the EPFO Grievance Redressal Does Not Work? is just for you. Check it out by Clicking Here
Anand
Apply online for processing of Transfer or Claim of EPF (provident fund) from July 1, 2013, Has EPFO started this facility ? ?
ReplyDeleteThe EPFO Earlier this year had announced that the online facility will start from July 1st 2013. Today on July 5th at least they must mention what is the update on that.
My last company management has changed and the new clerk asked me to bring the epf account statement seeing which they would sign the claim form. I went to EPFO and the clerks over there told me they can't give account statement of account as that was not legal. however they showed me the PDF statement on their computer. My account started from May 2010 and closed on feb 2012. I told them that people can download e-statements for accounts that are on going. They said they had no idea how people were allowed to get e-statement. Frustarting !!!. They can see the statement but can't give printout. And people with ongoing accounts or those which closed after June 2012 can get e-statements ( same PDF file ).
To get the PF account statement should I submit this issue as a grievance?
WHY don't the EPFO inform their front office or public dealing staff about what announcements EPFO makes or what online facilities they start.
Hi Anonymous
DeleteYou can try submitting a grievance and check what they have to say.
Brother - the EPFO is a government organization and hence things arent as clear as what you expect from private sector firms. so, we have no choice but to patiently knock on their doors and try to get things done.
Best of luck
Anand
i have resigned from my job on july 31 and they are not Granting my PF as i didn't serve the notice period how can you help me in this kind?
ReplyDeleteHi,
DeleteWithdrawal of PF requires the help of your employer because they only will submit the forms. So, they usually try to intimidate you if you in such cases where you are not serving the notice. Talk to them and settle their dues if any exists and then they will help you.
Company cannot attach an employee's PF amount to settle any outstanding amounts. So, try talking to them
Anand
Hello Anand! I left my previous company in Sept, 2012 after working for 10 months and then joined my new company in the same month. I did not get my old PF account transferred to my new company because I wanted to withdraw the amount. I can view my old PF complete balance online (even though the EPFO is sending me un-updated balance, of March. 2012, through SMS). I applied for my PF withdrawal but my claim got rejected. I have not received any rejection letter. I have filed a Grievance on EPFO site as you instructed. What are my chances? What can be the possible reasons for my claim rejection? Please help.
ReplyDeleteHi Juhi - If you have an active PF account through your new company then the PF department has every right to reject your request because withdrawal is only allowed if you are permanently retiring from work or going to take a break of at least 3 months. In your case, since you are employed currently the request for withdrawal could have been rejected. Alternately, if there was an error in the documents submitted - for ex: name mismatch between bank account and pf account is the most common reason for rejections. If my pf account says Anand Vijayakumar and my bank says Anand V my pf withdrawal request will be rejected
DeleteIf a claim is rejected, a rejection letter is usually sent to the account holder and you should get it in the next few weeks. Wait for either a response for your grievance or the letter - either of them could help explain on the why aspect of the rejection
Anand
Hi,
ReplyDeleteAnand.
Good Afternoon, Anand actually i work or a consultancy were there are more than 40 employees, Here since 4months My PF has not been debited, in spite making the absolute deductions from my salary for the same, and the reason stated is that i have not achieved my targets. My question is can an employer has any right to do like this?
Now inspite of working in the current company according to PF Current status am not working for them right? if i have search for new jobs they would ask for PF and bank statement? which i cannot provide because my Pf is not being Debited here, and there is no proper Salary statement for the same.
Anand please give me a solution to come of this.
Eagerly waiting for your reply.
Regards,
Arunima.
Hi Arunima - What your company is doing is wrong. PF can never be linked to a variable salary component like incentive or sales targets. PF is always 12% of your fixed basic salary which the company is supposed to deposit with the EPF Department every month
DeleteTalk to your employer and tell them that what they are doing is illegal and that you will raise a grievance with EPF office against them. IF they dont respond properly you can go ahead and raise a grievance against your employer. Before that, make sure that PF is part of your salary and benefits in the offer letter they gave you before you took up the job.
Anand
Hi,
DeleteAnanad.
Good afternoon. Thank you so much reaching up with your support. Actually to give you the correct picture My Basic is 5600/- and PF contribution is 1344, (672 is the 12% which is employee contribution). But my employer does not give his contribution we contribute from both the ends i.e the employers and the employees. And my point is The total 24% have been deducted from our salary and this has not been debited to PF account, its with all the 40 employees.
Just Incase we fulfill our targets for the month than that particular month my Hr is Going to Debit the PF or else It would not be? To be frank i havent achieved my tagets.. so they are making other deductions for the same and all Pf is not being Run.
What is the Immediate measure that i need to take? I require your support not only for me but also to justify all the other employees.
Regards,
Arunima.
Hi Arunima - As long as the employer contribution 12% of basic is included in your total salary package, this is perfectly fine. Most companies include their 12% share in PF as part of the total compensation to the employee. I had even covered this as one of the reasons why peoples take home salary may be lower than on-paper salary - Read this: http://anandvijayakumar.blogspot.com/2013/10/is-your-take-home-salary-much-lower.html
DeleteAbout target fulfilment - As I said before - EPF cannot be linked to sales targets. It is always based on fixed salary which means irrespective of whether you achieve your target or not this Rs. 1344 must go into your EPF and EPS Accounts. Are they doing this to all employees? If so, you can all together raise this as a concern because this is not correct. Is this something mentioned in your job offer letter? If your employer put this in writing in the offer letter and you signed it saying that PF will only be paid out if you meet your targets, then there is not much you can do.
Anyways - even if you signed the job offer about targets and EPF, this is incorrect and you/your colleagues can file a complaint with the EPF office about this and let the PF office take action against your company.
Hi Anand,
ReplyDeleteI am facing issues with PF account transfer from Thane to Pune.
I have completed formalities in September 2012 iself but, till date the amount has not been transferred. When contacted EPFO, Pune personally they said they are yet to receive any communication from EPFO, Thane. I registered online grievance. This was the response.
This is with reference to your Grievance registered vide Registration Number ROTHA/E/2013/03636.
It is informed that after processing your grievance,the following action(s) has been taken:
with reference to your grievance No. ROTHA/E/2013/3636 it is intimated that this office has already transfer an amt Rs.42537/- PU/PUN/31297/2509 on 20/12/2012.EPFO, RO, ThaneEPFO, RO, Thane
When I contacted back Pune office they said
This is with reference to your Grievance registered vide Registration Number ROPUN/E/2013/09100.
It is informed that your grievance is being treated as non-actionable due to the following reason(s):
Till date transfer in amount from Thane office has not been received as per our system record to this office.
Could you please suggest me into this .
Thanks,
Swapnil
Swapnil - Try taking the grievance communication received from Thane office and produce it to the Pune office and ask them how is it that the money is still not received when it was sent by Thane in Dec 2012 itself. If they still dont help, file a RTI complaint as explained in this article.
Deletehttp://anandvijayakumar.blogspot.sg/2013/04/what-options-do-i-have-if-epfo.html
Attach all requisite evidence (response from both Thane and Pune EPF offices) and file the RTI. You should get a positive solution
Anand
I am also facing same problem. Grievance of epfo is very mechanical. They don't address issuegenuine ly
DeleteI left an organization in 2010 and recently I applied for PF withdrawal. But employee is rejecting my application as I did not resign formally. I just left the organization. Is there any way I can get my money. Please suggest.
ReplyDeleteHi - Employers signature is required to get the money. So, i would suggest you negotiate and settle the matters amicably with them to get the money. Alternately if they refuse to help and if you have the pf account number, you can try visiting the pf office and check with them.
DeleteI left previous organization in 2011 and joined another organization which have no PF transfer facility. I did not complete my notice period in the previous organization. Now I want to apply for PF Withdrawal. Kindly tell me what to do?
ReplyDeleteThe one option you have is to talk to your employer and negotiate with them. Employers signature and help is required to get the pf money. Alternately you can visit the regional pf office with your pf account details and ask them if they can help by explaining the situation. Option 1 will be easier.
DeleteHi, I worked in an organization from where I would like to transfer my PF amount. I worked in this organization from 06-May-2009 to 10-Mar-2010 but when I saw in EPFO site, my employment details were wrongly given. I filled the Revised form 5/10 and sent it to them. They need to sign on it with seal of the establishment and should send to EPF officer. Eventhough I provided the details along with the supporting documents but they are not responding to my emails. Is there a way where these dates can be changed? Any suggestion will be highly appreciated.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Vijay
Vijay - Getting your prev employer to help/cooperate is a tricky matter. try to get in touch with someone in the company with who you still have a good rapport and request them to help. If all your attempts to contact them fail, try to contact a good lawyer who specializes in labor laws and ask him what your options are.
DeleteAnand
Hi, I left my organisation on Nov 2012. 2 days back I received my pf amount but got only one amount of Rs 12915 credited to my account where as other amount of Rs 88000 I didn't get that.I don't know what to do.please help me ..
ReplyDeletePriya - When you leave a company you get both EPS and EPF. Please wait for a few days to see if you are getting the remaining amount. If not, please contact your company and ask them what went wrong. They should be able to help you. If they fail to respond, lodge a grievance as explained in this article
DeleteAnand
Hi,
ReplyDeleteMr. Anand I am Ramesh i have working with a consulting firm more than 1 years and want to withdraw my PF. BUT our company HR is restricting in withdrawal of amount, so just want to understand the procedure of withdrawing the amount, can you plesae dictate it clearly and i have another query....
In our Consultancy in 12% of PF cuttings there would be employee and employer share isn't it? but here we only bare all the burden.. the employer does not take part in any kind of contribution so is that fare enough practice?
Kindly please update on these,
Awaiting for your response.
Regards,
Ramesh.
Ramesh - Most companies these days include both the employee and employer contribution to PF as part of the persons CTC salary. As long as the money they are deducting is mentioned in the offer letter then it is perfectly fine.
DeleteThe PF money can be withdrawn anytime you leave the job and wont be taking up another job for at least another 3 months. If you are resigning and taking up another job, you need to transfer the PF money into the new PF Acc that you will be opening in your new job.
Hi Anand..
ReplyDeleteI have resigned and relieved from CTS on september 13, 2013. Before my relieving day I submitted all my PF FORMS. Its been 6 and half months but still I have not received my PF creditted to my account, hence I submitted grievance in the mentioned portal. But I got the response as" 'No Action is required' as no such claim has been received till now."
Please suggest how can I proceed further at this point in time.
Regards
Based on the reply you got, it looks like CTS has not yet submitted your withdrawal request. Reach out to the HR department of the branch where you worked and inquire what happened.
DeleteNote: If you are currently employed anywhere, you cannot withdraw the money. You will need to initiate a transfer of PF corpus request to the current PF account which is active from your current employer
Hi Anand,
ReplyDeleteI moved over to the US almost 6 months back from India. I was working in India earlier and before I resigned I had applied for my PF withdrawl. When i try to find out my PF balance through the site http://www.epfindia.com/MembBal.html it says that "Your account has been settled. For detail's please contact respective EPF Office". I had given my bank details for an online transfer.. Could you suggest what could be done in this case?
Thanks
Hi - The time taken to settle a request is around 3 to 4 months from your last working day. Have you received the money yet? If not, first reach out to your old employer to find out what is the status of the request and the date the withdrawal was approved. funds will reach ur account within 4 to 6 weeks of the approval date.
Deletethe grievance site is not working !!!
ReplyDeleteIts working for me. Must have been a temporary site issue. try now
DeleteThe informations you provided were really helpful sir. Really appreciate. I filled my pf application form and given to my last employer on this 23rd June 2014. They said its already given to pf office. How long should it take to know the status online??..Right now it is showing "record not found".
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Jaisan
Jaisan - Even if your employer gives your forms to the PF Office, they will pick it up for processing only after 60 days from your last working day. So, you should be able to see the status after that.
DeleteDoes a company have a time frame before which the PF form needs to be sent out to the PF office?
ReplyDeleteMy previous employer informed me that it would take them 6-8 months to send the form out and then more time for the PF office to clear it.
Is this the norm?
6 months to send a form to the PF office?
No, its not 6 months. Usually they send it after 60 days from your last working day. The PF office will take another 6-8 weeks to process your request.
DeleteHi was working in a company in 2005. The Company had applied for approval of Trust to PF department. Pending approval the Company was deducting the PF amount and depositing the same in PF trust and employee pension scheme in the Govt account. While leaving the organisation my PF amount was paid to me from trust but when i applied to PF departmetn for refund of pension in form 10C, they rejected my claim. Please advise how can i get my money.
ReplyDeleteMukesh - Did your company deposit the EPS contribution to the government PF Scheme or kept in their local trust? I dont think you can split the PF and keep it with your local trust and remit the EPS to the government. EPF and EPS are tied together.
DeleteCheck with your employer -- what went wrong here.
Hi Anand,
ReplyDeleteThis is Sushmita Kumari. I was working in "Sankalp Computer and Systems Pvt Ltd, Pune", from the period July 2013 to Aug 2014.
After leaving the company i wish to withdraw my PF that I was holding with Sankalp. I had sent my PF form duly filled and signed to company office located in Mangalwar Peth. Its been one month the company has not sign my PF nor is reverting on my mail.
Please suggest what I need to do to get back my PF amount.
my PF Number: MH/PUN/300394/123
Try to visit the company and find out what is wrong and why the delay. Do you have any dues you owe the company? usually companies resort to such tactics only in such situations.
DeleteIf they are not helpful file a grievance with EPFO and await help from the authorities.
Hi Anand,
ReplyDeleteMy Fathers name is incorrect in the PF Account.My Last company and me made a Joint Declaration 3 months back,but i have not recieved any update.It is still incorrect.My question is, since I have left my old company 4 months back(March) and joined a new company 4 months later(Aug),then will this wrong father's name hinder the process of PF withdrwal from my last company?
Hi - As you are currently employed with another company, you should not (legally) be withdrawing the old PF. You should be transferring it over.
DeleteHi Anand,
ReplyDeleteMy employer was Accenture and I have resigned from the job over an year ago. I am still unemployed and hence, I believe I am eligible for the EPF withdrawal.
Accenture has outsourced this process to some third party agency which is totally a dumb organisation and are not cooperating at all. I had sent them the completely filled documents upon successful completion of 2 months tenure of my Last working day and still they have not submitted the documents to EPF department.
I filed a grievance with EPF Department as well and they replied that the forms were sent back to the employer asking for revised PF contribution data 3 months ago . Now the accenture's third party's reply is not cooperative.
Can you suggest me a way to file a grievance against them or sue them for such non cooperation. Also, How can I withdraw my PF balance ? My KYC Details are in approved section on the UAN Portal.
Thanks
Pls consult a good lawyer who specialises in employee/employer disputes.
Delete