Employee Provident Fund (EPF) is a crucial retirement savings scheme designed to provide financial security to employees after their working years. Withdrawing funds from an EPF account is a process that typically involves the employer’s signature. However, there are circumstances where individuals may need to withdraw from their EPF without the employer’s signature.
Easy access to your EPF account is necessary to keep an eye on the facts and manage the money frequently. You can withdraw money whenever you like. There are certain circumstances when you can withdraw funds without your employer’s signature.
This adjustment makes it easier for you to access your EPF funds quickly. Let us explore the process of EPF Withdrawal Without Employer Signature in-depth and see how it may empower you financially.
Under What Circumstances is EPF Withdrawal Without Employer Signature Possible
The EPF is a mandatory savings scheme in which both the employer and employee contribute a certain percentage of the employee’s salary towards the fund. While the primary purpose of the EPF is long-term savings, there are provisions for withdrawal under specific circumstances. But for that employer’s signature is required.
However, the following circumstances allow an employee to withdraw their EPF without the mandatory signature of the employer:
Unemployment for over two months:
- Individuals who have been unemployed for more than two months can initiate the withdrawal process from their EPF account. For this they do not need any employer’s signature.
Employer Unreachable or Non-Cooperative:
- There are instances when due to some issues at work the employer might be unreachable or uncooperative. This makes it difficult to obtain their signature. In such cases, employees can explore alternative methods for EPF withdrawal.
Closure of the Company or Business
- If a company or business has closed down, and the employer is no longer available, employees may face difficulties obtaining the necessary signatures. That is when EPF withdrawal without employer signature is possible.
Criteria to be Fulfilled For Using This Facility
If you meet these four requirements, your EPF Withdrawal Without Employer Signature will be possible from your EPF account:
- It is essential that you verify the validity of your UAN number.
- An individual’s Aadhaar number must be linked with their UAN.
- You need to provide your bank details in addition to your UAN.
- You may be certain that your employer has used digital signatures to verify your identity.
Step-by-Step Guide to Withdraw PF Without Signature of the Employee
Follow the steps below to withdraw PF without the signature of the employee:
- The first step is to complete Form 19, which may be accessed online. Form 19 is required in order to complete the EPF withdrawal. Additionally, Form 10C is required to withdraw EPS.
- Notary public, magistrate, postmaster, bank manager, or gazetted officer certification is the next required step.
- Send a letter to the regional PF commissioner outlining your concerns with your employer and the rationale for your demand for document confirmation. If you have any proof that your employer was being obstructionist, please include it in your letter.
- To apply for unemployment benefits, you must first write an affidavit. Simply go online, fill out the affidavit, and print it on stamp paper. You need to be unemployed to file for an EPF withdrawal therefore, this is a requirement.
- After that, you must let the EPF regional office process everything.
- After the application is granted, you will get the monies from your EPF as per your request. If you have noticed nothing has been done, you are advised to make an RTI application to the EPF Department to find out where it stands.
EPF Withdrawal With an Aadhaar Card
When you use your Aadhaar card to withdraw money from your EPF account, be sure you pay close attention to these details:
- The EPFO’s member portal streamlines the withdrawal procedure; linking your Aadhaar card is all that is required. You may complete the process without your employer’s attestation after you’ve linked your UID card.
- However, your employer ought to have verified the information you supplied on the EPFO member site, such as your UID and the bank account number where you get your income.
- Confirm that your UAN is activated.
Once you have resolved these matters, you are free to begin withdrawing cash from your PF account without obtaining your employer’s consent.
- The EPFO website now has the new EPF withdrawal forms (Forms 19, 31, and 10C) available for download.
- Your full name (as it shows on your bank account, Aadhaar card, and UAN), residential address, Permanent Account Number (PAN), registered phone number, departure justification, and start date are required fields on the following forms.
- Submit Form 19 and your UAN to get your PF money out.
- A UAN and a Form 10C may be used to withdraw funds from a pension.
- Please provide a cancelled check with your EPF form to confirm your bank account number. Next, take the voided check and the completed papers to your neighbourhood EPF office.
- Remember that the number associated with your bank account and the UAN database should match. Data included on the form must also match that which exists in the UAN database. Due to inconsistencies in the data, the request to leave the EPF may be denied.
Withdrawal of EPF Without an Aadhaar Card
Withdrawing cash without an employer’s signature might be painful for people without an Aadhar card. Here are the simple methods to do it:
- You may get Forms 19, 31, and 10C via the EPFO member site.
- Kindly include all required information on the form. Attestations may be obtained from a variety of trustworthy sources, including magistrates, Gazetted officials, EPFO employees, or the management of the bank where your pay account is held.
- On each page of the form, verify the bank details with a stamp or permission.
- To prevent fraud, it is necessary to specify the purpose of a direct withdrawal application. The “non-cooperation” of your former employer is typically sufficient to justify your conduct.
- Use stamp paper with a value of one hundred rupees to attach an indemnity bond.
- You must submit Form 19 with a copy of your appointment letter, pay stubs, and employee ID card.
- Before your application may be processed at the EPF office, provide a copy of your Know Your Customer (KYC) documents. These documents confirm your identity and address.
Legal Action that You May Take Against Your Past Employer
If you follow these steps, you should be able to solve the issue. The following are some potential next steps:
- You can formally complain to the EPF office if your previous employer is reluctant or stubbornly refuses to sign your withdrawal documentation. They may decide to investigate it further.
- It is wise to provide your previous employer with formal notice. In it, you may detail your issues and make it clear that they need to withdraw their EPF money in a certain way. The threat of legal action can persuade some individuals to cooperate.
- Another option would be to seek assistance from the relevant government authorities, such as the labour department. They may have procedures in place to handle disputes about EPF withdrawals.
- Consulting a labour law expert can be your option after exploring all other avenues. They are able to counsel you and represent you in court should the situation deteriorate.
If your ex-employer continues to harass you after you’ve informed them they can’t continue, you should notify the PF officer and gather all evidence you can to prove their actions constituted harassment. Following an investigation, the officer will take appropriate action against the former employer in the event that they are shown to be guilty.
FAQ’s:-
Withdrawals from an employee’s EPF account do not need prior permission from the employer. When users connect their UAN and UID to their EPF account, they may get online approval. An employee’s PAN and Aadhaar number are required pieces of information while submitting a claim online.
Employees may be able to access their PF funds if the claim is resolved. They will handle the EPF claim in about twenty days. The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) manages the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) to guarantee that private sector workers have financial security in retirement.
A person cannot take money out of their PF account, in full or in part, until employed. After one month of being jobless, you may withdraw up to 75% of your money, and after two months or longer, you can withdraw the whole amount.
Digital Signature Certificates (DSC) are the digital equivalent of a handwritten or printed signature; they verify the authenticity of digital documents. You may use DSC to e-verify taxpayer returns, and it’s typically needed.