Advance to the EPF members in the crisis situation emerging due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

To: 

Subject: Advance to the EPF members in the crisis situation emerging due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Madam/Sir,

The COVID-19 has been declared a Pandemic by Government of India for the entire country and therefore the members of the EPF have become eligible for the benefits of non-refundable advance under the sub-para 68(3)(L) which has come into force vide Ministry of Labour, Govt of India Notification GSR 225 (E) dated 27.03.2020 as published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary) Part II- Section 3-sub section (1) on 28.03.2020

The notification amends the EPF Scheme, 1952 by inserting Sub-Para (3) under Para 68L of the EPF Scheme, 1952 to provide for non-refundable advance to EPF members not exceeding the basic wages and dearness allowances for three months or up to 75% of the amount standing to member’s credit in the EPF account whichever is less in the event of the outbreak of epidemic or pandemic

Instructions to Members for filing claims u/p 68 L

It is informed that the online claim filing facility for Covid19 advance has been successfully launched on 29^th March 2020.

Subscribers who are KYC compliant and have seeded their UAN (Universal Account Number) with Aadhaar and bank account can submit their advance claim Form-31 under Para 68(3) (L).

IT division of EPFO has devised a system of auto settlement of claims through our centralized server in respect of all such members whose KYC data is fully updated and compliant.

It is going to be a paradigm shift in claim settlements where claims will be possible to settle within 3 days in EPFO.

It is requested to educate workers in your establishment of the above enabling provision and online claim facility so that the claims of EPF members preferred under sub-para (3) of Para 68L of the EPF Scheme, 1952 are processed promptly and relief reaches the worker and his family to help them fight with COVID-19.

We wish all our employers and members to stay safe.