How to Withdraw PF Online With Your UAN

The Provident Fund (PF) is a retirement savings program designed to provide financial security to employees. It functions as a mandatory savings scheme where both the employee and employer contribute a portion of the employee’s salary into an account. The Universal Account Number (UAN) serves as a unique identifier for individuals contributing to this fund, simplifying the management of multiple PF accounts accumulated over different employments. This article outlines the process of withdrawing PF funds online using the UAN.

Preparing for Online PF Withdrawal

Before initiating an online PF withdrawal, ensure prerequisites are met, concerning the activation of your Universal Account Number (UAN) and Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements. Your UAN must be activated and linked with identity documents like Aadhaar, PAN, and bank account details. These linkages are fundamental for identity verification, tax compliance, and direct fund transfer. Ensuring your name, bank account, and Indian Financial System Code (IFSC) are updated in Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) records helps prevent processing delays.

Eligibility for PF withdrawal varies based on the reason for withdrawal, with distinct criteria for full and partial withdrawals. Full withdrawal is permitted upon retirement or in specific cases of unemployment. This includes age 58 or two months of unemployment. For unemployment, 75% of the balance is accessible after one month, with the remainder after two months.

Partial withdrawals, often called advances, are allowed for specific purposes, each with conditions. These include:
Housing (purchasing land, a house, or repaying a housing loan, often requiring minimum service years).
Education (post-matriculation studies for oneself or children).
Medical (treatment for the employee or family).
Marriage (for oneself, a son, daughter, brother, or sister).
Certain natural calamities.
Have all relevant supporting documents or information, such as self-declarations for unemployment or specific details for housing, ready and verified beforehand.

Step-by-Step Online PF Withdrawal Process

After preparatory steps, the online PF withdrawal process begins by accessing the EPFO UAN Member Portal. Log in using your activated UAN and password. After logging in, navigate to the “Online Services” tab, then select “Claim (Form-31, 19, 10C & 10D).”

Next, select the appropriate claim type from the available forms. Form 19 is used for a full and final Provident Fund settlement, typically upon retirement or prolonged unemployment. Form 10C is for pension withdrawal benefits under the Employees’ Pension Scheme, while Form 31 is for PF advances or partial withdrawals. The system will prompt you to verify bank account details by entering the last four digits of the account number linked to your UAN. This verification step ensures the funds are disbursed to the correct account.

Proceed to fill out the digital application form, ensuring all information is accurate and consistent with details prepared earlier. If applying for a partial withdrawal using Form 31, specify the exact purpose for the advance, such as medical treatment or education. While many partial withdrawals now rely on self-declaration, some specific advance types may still require uploading supporting documents.

Final submission involves Aadhaar-linked One-Time Password (OTP) verification. An OTP will be sent to your Aadhaar-registered mobile number; enter it to authenticate and submit your claim. Upon successful submission, a reference number is generated for future tracking.

Monitoring Your PF Withdrawal Claim

After submitting your online PF withdrawal application, monitoring its status is straightforward via the EPFO portal. Check your claim’s progress by logging into the UAN Member Portal, navigating to “Online Services,” and selecting “Track Claim Status.” This provides real-time updates on your application.

Understanding status messages is important for knowing your claim’s stage. “Claim Submitted” indicates your application has been received by the EPFO. “Under Process” means the claim is reviewed by the PF office. If the status changes to “Claim Settled,” it signifies funds have been disbursed. Conversely, “Claim Rejected” means the application was denied, often due to discrepancies, incorrect form submission, or missing documentation, requiring rectification and reapplication.

Online PF withdrawal claims are processed within 5 to 10 working days. However, depending on factors like KYC completeness and information accuracy, this timeframe can extend up to 20 days. Once settled, funds are directly transferred to the bank account linked with your UAN, and you may receive an SMS notification confirming disbursement. PF withdrawals made before five years of continuous service may be subject to tax, with Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) applicable if the amount exceeds ₹50,000.