Another major news for EPFO members. The Employees Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has really stepped up its game. They’ve managed to automatically settle 60% of advance withdrawal claims, totaling 2.16 crore cases this financial year alone. In comparison, last year saw 89.52 lakh claims settled. Labor and Employment Minister Shobha Karandlaje shared this update in the Lok Sabha, mentioning that the advance payment limit has also been raised to Rs 1 lakh, making EPFO services even more user-friendly.

 

EPFO is continuously working to streamline its processes. Now, claims for reasons like illness, housing, education, and marriage are also being settled automatically. The Labor Minister noted that with this new auto mode, claims are cleared within just three days. She stated, “EPFO has settled 2.16 crore claims by March 6, 2025, in this financial year, which is a record. Last financial year, 89.52 lakh claims were settled.” This highlights EPFO’s commitment to enhancing its services and addressing the needs of the public.

 

Additionally, EPFO has made it easier for members to correct their information. Those who have verified their Aadhaar can now update their Universal Account Number (UAN) independently, without needing EPFO’s intervention.

 

Currently, around 96% of corrections are completed without a visit to the EPF office, and over 99% of claims are submitted online. By March 2025, a total of 7.14 crore claims have been filed online, showcasing EPFO’s focus on digital efficiency.

 

Previously, to file a transfer claim, members had to get their Aadhaar-verified UAN approved by their employer. That requirement has now been lifted, making the process much simpler for everyone. Additionally, the EPFO has introduced a feature for members whose accounts were incorrectly linked to an institution, allowing them to separate their accounts.

 

This service started on January 18, 2025, and by the end of February, over 55,000 members had successfully separated their accounts. These changes aim to ensure better management of members’ accounts and give them more control over their information.

 

The EPFO has also implemented a new feature that informs members in advance if their claim is valid or not, helping to avoid incorrect claims. This process is known as upfront validation. With these improvements, the EPFO has made it much easier for its members to navigate their accounts.