If you have recently changed your job or planning to switch and wondering on withdrawal is not really required. Often we come across various stories from our friends about inordinate delays or transfer just doesn’t happen. With paucity of time, though it is not possible to keep running pillar to post but it is our hard earned money. EPFO has also brought in several welcome moves in order to provide better services to members. So just remember these 5 tips while transferring or withdrawing your PF.
1. Track status of your application online on Employee Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) website. Just visit the link http://www.epfindia.gov.in/ClaimStatus_new.html. Select state, regional PF office where your the account is maintained. Enter PF account number which also contains the establishment code.
2.Keep a regular update of your account by downloading EPF Passbook for old and new accounts. With this facility, you may generate E-Passbook from EPFO site and get your exact status of the PF transfer. Anyone is allowed to download passbook for just one account with one organisation.
3.If your transfer is stuck don’t forget to follow up: In a transfer case, usually the new employer, the sending PF office and the receiving PF office are involved. However, if your both employer are in vicinity, your sending and receiving PF offices will be the same. For PF transfer, you need to submit Form 13 with your new employer. Must ask for an acknowledgement after the submission of form with the receiving PF office. This is done by your new employer. This acknowledgement will make your follow up very easy, is the need be from the receiving PF office. Now a days PF department are bringing in several measures to boost the speed of working so if your case is delayed more than 2 months, you may personally visit and meet the relevant PF officials.
4.Raise your grievance: Now EPFO has an online mechanism for raising grievances called the Grievance Management System. If you are not satisfied about the status of your PF transfer, you must raise your grievances with both sending as well as the receiving PF office. System will provide you with a grievance number, which might be required for further followup, if the need arises. You may also send a physical letter to the concerned PF office with details of your grievance and reference to the online grievance reference number through speed post. Do remember to loop in both new and old employer in this process.
5. Don’t forget your Right to Information (RTI) Act: In case of inordinate delays or unsatisfactory response to your communications, you can always use RTI. All you need to do is to send an application to the Public Information Office under the concerned PF office along with a postal order for Rs. 10 in favour of respective Accounts office. Submit your request as a simple application briefly explaining the background of your case . Do not forget to mention references to all your previous complaints. You may also attach copies of earlier communiation, if required. If still there is an absence of response under this within 30 days of filing the application, you can opt for an appeal process under the RTI.
Don’t forget it is your hard earned money and mostly is a large amount. Small attention on your money matters can help you get money on time when you need the most.
