EPF Form 31, otherwise known as EPF Advance Form, is an application form used by the members of EPF (employees) for claiming an advance from their Employee’s Provident Fund. In other words, when an employee needs to partially withdraw from their EPF account, Form 31 is submitted.
This post is about EPF withdrawal using form 31 online or offline, how to fill Form 31, and how to apply form 31. If you’re also in need of funds and wish to withdraw from your EPF account, read on.
When to use EPF Withdrawal Form 31: Eligibility Criteria
EPF members (EPF accountholders) can use Form 31 to partially withdraw funds from their EPF account. EPF withdrawal Form 31 can be used in the following situations:
| Reason for Withdrawal | Maximum Amount Allowed | Minimum Membership Period | Number of Withdrawals Allowed |
| 1. Purchase of House/flat, construction of House including acquisition of site | Least of: For purchase of site: 2 years’ basic wages + DA For purchase or Construction of House/Flat: 3 year’s basic wages +DA or Total EPF amount (contribution by employee and employer +interest) OR Total Cost | 5 Years | Once |
| 2. Repayment of loans in special cases | Least of: 3 years’ basic wages + DA or Total EPF amount (contribution by employee and employer +interest) OR Total loan amount (principal + interest) | 10 Years | Once |
| 3. Medical Emergency (For own treatment or family’s) | Least of: 6 months’ basic wages + DA or Employee’s share + interest | NA | NA |
| 4. For marriage (self or children) or children’s post-matric education | 50% of employee share + interest | 7 years | 3 times |
| 5. For physically handicapped employees to buy aiding equipment | Least of: 6 month’s basic wages + DA or Employee share + interest OR Cost of equipment | NA | No Second advance before 3 years from first |
| 6. One year before retirement | 90% of total EPF amount | After 54 years of age and within one year of retirement OR superannuation | NA |
Important: As per Para 68H of the EPF scheme, one can claim EPF advances in special cases, viz.: in case of lockout/closure of company for more than 15 days (or more than 6 months) without paying wages to employees, no wages to employees for more than 2 months, dismissal challenged in court by the employee, etc.
Now, in case of natural calamity or Coronavirus-related emergencies, EPF advance can be claimed via Form 31.
Supporting Documents Required with Form 31
Along with EPF withdrawal form 31, employees also need to submit other documents to support their reason of claim. These documents are:
- Declaration Form by employee (for purchase/construction of house/flat/site)
- Certificate from Agency (citing outstanding loan amount)
- Certificate C signed by employer and doctor (for illness)
- Member’s declaration in Form 31(for marriage)
- Certificate from the head of the institution (citing course and estimated expenditure for education)
Note: This list is not exhaustive.
How to Fill EPF Withdrawal Form 31 Offline
To fill the EPF advance withdrawal form 31, firstly you need to either download the form online or get it from your nearby EPF office (or bank). Then, go through the following points to fill your EPF withdrawal form 31:
Details to be filled by employee:
- Provide your mobile number (that is in your EPF records)
- Provide purpose of withdrawal (check the table)
- Write the amount required
- Enter your name (member name) in BLOCK LETTERS
- Father’s name or husband’s name for married women
- Name & address of establishment
- Provident Fund Account No.
- Give your monthly basic wage + DA
- Provide your full postal address in BLOCK LETTERS
- Mode of remittance
- Full address
- Advance Stamp
- Cheque/Passbook Copy
Details to be filled by employer:
- Signed certification by the employer
- Enclosures
The remaining two sections are filled by the PF Commissioner’s Office and Cash Section.
EPF Withdrawal Form 31 Online Application
To apply for EPF advances, the same EPF Form 31 is required. However, unlike in the case of offline mode, employee does not have to manually fill the form. Let’s understand how to fill EPF withdrawal form online and how to apply EPF advance online using the EPF MEMBER e-SEWA portal:
Step 1: Log into EPFO MEMBER e-SEWA portal using your UAN and Password.
Step 2: Check your member profile details.
Step 3: Click on “Online Services” and select the “CLAIM (Form 31, 19, 10C & 10D)” option.
Step 4: Enter your bank account number (linked with your UAN) and get it verified.
Step 5: Give the following undertaking.
Step 6: Proceed for Online Claim.
Step 7: Select your claim type. As you click on it, Form 31 will get opened for further detail addition.
Step 8: Enter the details asked further in the form (withdrawal purpose, amount required, employee address).
Step 9: Upload scanned copy of cheque or passbook (mandatory) of size 100-500 KB only.
Step 10: Provide your mobile number linked with your Aadhaar and get it verified.
Step 11: Click on “Verify OTP and Submit Claim”.
Download the filled and submitted online EPF withdrawal Form 31 in PDF format by hitting the “CLICK HERE” button in the same page. Save this form for future reference. Your online submitted EPF withdrawal Form 31 will look like this:
Claim amount will be credited to your bank account within the stipulated time. In case of COVID-19 advances, the amount will be credited within 3 days.
COVID-19 Advance from EPF
Under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojna (PMGKY), employees have been enabled to claim partial EPF withdrawals to combat COVID-19, from FY 2020.
Important points related to Covid-19 EPF Withdrawal:
- Up to 75% of member’s total EPF share or a sum of 3 month’s basic wages (whichever is less) can be claimed to counter COVID-19 emergencies
- Can be claimed twice
- UAN must be active and linked to Aadhaar for claiming EPF withdrawals
- Can be applied via the EPFO unified member portal or UMANG app
- Can be claimed even if previous claims have been made for any other reason
| Read more about EPF: | ||
| EPF Balance Check | EPFiGMS | EPF Passbook |
| EPF Calculator | EPF Interest Rate | EPF Pension |
| EPF Contribution | EPF Online Claim | EPF Premature Withdrawal |
| Read more about UAN: | ||
| UAN | UAN Activation | |
| Read more about EPFO: | ||
| EPFO E-Sewa | EPFO Online Payment | EPFO KYC Online Update |
| EPFO Establishment | EPFO Member Portal | EPFO Registration Process |
| Read more about EPF Forms: | ||
| EPF Form 10C | EPF Form 19 | EPF Correction Form |
EPF Withdrawal Form 31: FAQs
Depending on your reason of withdrawal, claims are settled within stipulated time. For Covid-19 related claims, amount is credited to the employee’s bank account within 3 days of application.
A maximum of 90% of the total EPF amount can be withdrawn. Although, it depends on various factors like the purpose of withdrawal and years of service, among others.
Yes. If the natural calamity has been reported in news in print, the same can be used as a purpose for claiming EPF advances.
There is no last date provided yet from EPFO to claim EPF advances w.r.t. Covid-19 emergencies. As for now, it can be claimed till the pandemic prevails.
