The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has introduced two new facilities aimed at making Provident Fund services easier and more convenient for employees. Under the new initiative, eligible members with up to Rs 1,000 lying in old or inactive PF accounts will no longer have to submit a separate withdrawal claim. The organisation will initiate automatic settlement after completing the required verification.
In another major convenience for employees, EPFO members can now access important PF account information through WhatsApp. Services such as checking PF balances, viewing recent transactions and accessing passbook details will be available without visiting an EPFO office or logging into its website.
These initiatives are intended to simplify PF-related procedures and reduce the time employees spend accessing their savings.
Mansukh Mandaviya Announces Two New EPFO Facilities
Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced the two initiatives during the EPFO’s 74th Foundation Day celebrations in New Delhi on November 1.
The new measures focus on improving the delivery of provident fund services and making account-related facilities more accessible to working professionals.
The automatic settlement facility is particularly aimed at employees whose small PF balances remain untouched in older accounts. Meanwhile, the WhatsApp service will allow members to obtain basic account information through their mobile phones.
EPFO Will Automatically Settle PF Balances Up to Rs 1,000
Under the new facility, eligible members with balances of up to Rs 1,000 in old and inactive PF accounts will not need to file a separate claim to receive their money.
The automatic settlement process will begin after Aadhaar-based identity verification and confirmation of the necessary bank details.
According to the Labour Ministry, approximately 1 lakh PF accounts are expected to benefit from this initiative. Around Rs 5 crore is currently held in these accounts.
The facility could provide relief to employees who changed jobs but left small amounts of money behind in their previous PF accounts instead of transferring them to their new accounts.
It is important to understand that the Rs 1,000 limit applies only to this automatic settlement facility. It does not mean that employees can withdraw only Rs 1,000 from their regular PF accounts. Normal PF withdrawals and transfers will continue under the existing rules.
EPFO WhatsApp Service: Check PF Balance and Passbook Details
Along with automatic settlement, EPFO has introduced WhatsApp-based services to make routine PF enquiries easier.
Members can use the facility to access information such as their PF balance, passbook details and recent account transactions.
This means employees will have another convenient way to check their account information without making unnecessary visits to EPFO offices or accessing the official website for basic enquiries.
The initiative is part of the organisation’s broader effort to make provident fund services more accessible through digital platforms.
When Does an EPF Account Become Inactive?
Many employees believe that their PF account becomes inactive immediately after they leave a job. However, this is not how the rules work.
Under the Employees’ Provident Funds Scheme, 1952, an account is generally classified as inoperative when no contributions have been received for three consecutive years after the member reaches 55 years of age or retires, whichever is later.
Therefore, simply changing jobs or stopping contributions to an old PF account does not automatically make it inactive.
Employees changing jobs are generally advised to transfer their previous PF balance to their new account. This helps keep their retirement savings consolidated instead of leaving money scattered across multiple accounts.
The latest EPFO initiatives are expected to make it easier for eligible members to access small outstanding balances and obtain important PF information through digital services.
Disclaimer
This article is intended for general informational purposes only. EPFO facilities, automatic settlement eligibility, verification requirements and withdrawal procedures are subject to official rules and notifications. Employees should verify their eligibility and the latest guidelines through the official EPFO website before taking any action. This article does not constitute an official government notification or financial advice.