Covid-19: EPFO advises beneficiaries to avail services online

Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has advised its members, pensioners, and employees to access its services online instead of visiting its offices. The advisory came as Centre and state governments are trying to contain the spread of coronavirus in India. So far, five deaths due to COVID-19 infection have been reported in the country and the number of confirmed cases had reached 245.

"In view of Government of India guidelines to contain the spreading of COVID-19, Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) advises it members, pensioners and employers, to avail various online services offered by EPFO, from the comfort of their homes, and to avoid visiting EPFO offices," a statement by Ministry of Labour & Employment said on Friday.

Most of the services of EPFO are available online.Beneficiaries can generate their Universal Account Number (UAN), activate it,and seed it with Aadhaar, Permanent Account Number (PAN), bank account andmobile number online. Employees can also make nominations, check balance intheir passbooks, update their date of exit, transfer their accounts fromunexempted to exempted establishment, and vice-versa.  EPFO also allows employees to raise claimsonline for Provident Fund advances or final withdrawal, pension or Insurancebenefits (EDLI), and receive provident fund (PF), pension, insurance benefitsdirectly in their bank accounts.

Similarly, pensioners can download their Pension Payment Order (PPO) or preserve it in Digilocker, check their PPO number with the help of their bank account numbers or UANs, and check passbook status.  Pensioners can also update Jeevan Praman (Digital Life Certificate) online at any time of the year.

For employers, EPFO allows them to register theirestablishments under EPF & MP Act, 1952, and obtain establishment ID, makepayment of EPF and allied dues through RTGS or NEFT, and submit ElectronicChallan cum Return (ECR). Employers have also been facilitated to availe-inspections of their establishments.

Employees, employers, and pensioners can register their grievances and get them resolved online through the EPFigms portal.  The details of these services and facilities are available at www.epfindia.gov.in. These facilities are available also be accessed on smartphones via UMANG mobile application.