Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) recently announced a great news for nominees and families of deceased provident fund members. May 17, 2024, the EPFO has ease the requirements for seeding the member’s Aadhaar details to process death claims.
As we know, the Aadhaar seeding has been mandatory for processing claims since September 2020. But offices field have to face many difficulties in cases where the deceased member’s Aadhaar was not seeded or had issues that prevented authentication. And for families struggling with the loss of a loved one, running around to fix technical problem added grave inconvenience.
Latest circular gives claims to be processed even without Aadhaar seeding of the deceased member. But the Officer in Charge (OIC) must scrutinize the claims thoroughly and conduct due diligence before approval.
What Prompted this Move?
In few cases, the lack of Aadhaar seeding held up claims settlement. The EPFO cited three main reasons:
- Members did not have Aadhaar before it was mandated
- Deactivated Aadhaar accounts
- Technical snags in validation through the UIDAI database
Clearly, factors beyond the control of families were causing delays in receiving rightful dues.
How Will Claims Be Processed Now?
As per the circular, claims can be submitted physically without Aadhaar seeding in case of death. But certain steps need to be fulfilled:
- Approval required from the OIC via e-office file
- File must record the verification done to confirm deceased member’s details and claimant’s legitimacy
- OIC may direct additional due diligence steps to prevent fraudulent withdrawals
- If member’s Aadhaar data is correct but inaccurate in UAN, it must be rectified first
Further, if the deceased member had not filed a nomination, one family member/legal heir can attest the claim form. But they need the consent of other heirs.
The aim is quick settlement for genuine claimants while upholding diligence against fake claims.
Why This Step Matters
For families mourning the loss of a loved one, the last thing they need is pointless paperwork adding to their struggles. We must appreciate the EPFO’s compassionate stance during difficult times.
EPF remains a valued retirement corpus for crores of organized sector employees. It rightfully belongs to the members and their nominees. By cutting red tape, the EPFO reaffirms its commitment towards easing access.
While safeguards are important, lets hope the field officers exercise sensitivity in implementing the verification protocols. May this give speedy claims settlement as a caring gesture to grieving families. After all, time is all the more precious for those dealing with untimely loss.
