Managing PF withdrawal and advances has become easier with online services, but it is important to understand the EPFO claim settlement rules before applying for final withdrawal, partial withdrawal or pension benefits. This guide explains eligibility, types of claims, required documents, and the EPFO claim settlement time to help members get their money without delays.
What Are EPFO Claim Settlement Rules?
EPFO claim settlement rules describe the eligibility conditions, documents and processing timeline for withdrawing money from the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF). To apply for any claim, your PF account must be linked with an active UAN, your KYC must be verified, and your employment status must match the claim type. Members can submit and track their withdrawal request online through the official portal using EPFO Login, which makes the entire claim process quick and paperless.
Eligibility for Claim Settlement
To get a claim approved successfully, the following conditions must be fulfilled:
- UAN must be active and Aadhaar, PAN and Bank Account should be linked and verified
- Mobile number linked to Aadhaar must be active
- Service history including Date of Joining and Date of Exit must be correct in EPFO records
- Final settlement allowed only after exit from employment
- Partial withdrawal/advance permitted only for allowed purposes under EPFO rules such as illness, education, housing, marriage, etc.
Types of EPFO Claims Allowed
EPFO allows different forms of claims based on the member’s purpose:
Final PF Withdrawal (Form 19)
Used for full settlement of PF after leaving the job.
Pension Withdrawal (Form 10C / 10D)
For EPS benefits depending on age and eligibility.
Partial Withdrawal / Advance (Form 31)
Given in specific cases such as:
- Medical emergency
- Higher education
- Marriage
- Purchase/construction of house
- Loan repayment
- Natural calamity
Claim for Death Benefits
Family members or nominees can claim PF, EPS and EDLI benefits if the account holder dies during service.
EPFO Claim Settlement Time
The time taken to process PF claims depends on the type of withdrawal:
- Withdrawal advances under automated mode: 3 working days
- Final settlement after exit: 7 working days (up to 15 working days if verification required)
- EPS pension claims: 7–20 working days
- Death claim cases: up to 20 working days
If all KYC and job exit details are updated correctly, most claims get settled quickly. Delays mainly happen due to errors in bank details, Aadhaar mismatch or incomplete KYC.
EPFO Claim Settlement Rules PDF
EPFO regularly updates rules related to PF withdrawal and claim processing. Members who want to download complete instructions can refer to the EPFO claim settlement rules PDF available on the official website. It contains detailed information on claim eligibility, form types, and the required documents for each claim.
Required Documents for Claim Settlement
- Aadhaar-linked mobile number
- PAN card (mandatory for certain withdrawals)
- Bank account passbook or details linked to UAN
- Cancelled cheque if requested
- Employer exit approval (digital, for final withdrawal cases if required)
How to Apply for Claim Using EPFO LOGIN
Most claims are processed online, and members can apply from home using the official EPFO Portal. The entire process is simple and can be completed using EPFO LOGIN with your UAN.
Steps to apply:
- Visit the official EPFO Portal and use “EPFO LOGIN” with your UAN, password and captcha
- Go to Online Services → Claim (Form-19 / 31 / 10C / 10D)
- Verify your KYC and bank details linked with your UAN
- Select the type of withdrawal (final PF, advance or pension) and submit the claim
- Track the status directly through the dashboard under Track Claim Status
Tips to Avoid Claim Rejection
- Ensure Aadhaar, PAN and bank account are linked to UAN
- Make sure name, date of birth and gender match on all IDs
- Employer should update Date of Exit in PF records
- Provide purpose and documents correctly in case of partial withdrawal