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It is not uncommon for EPF claims to get rejected. It could be due to technical issues/errors, inaccurate KYC or bank details, an unclear signature, or it may be because you do not clear the eligibility criteria. Hence, knowing the eligibility rules and EPF claim rejection reason is essential before filing a claim.
An EPF is a government-backed savings scheme launched to encourage savings among working individuals. You and your employer contribute 12% of the base salary to your EPF account, and the accumulated savings can be claimed on retirement.
You can also make partial withdrawals in case of emergencies. However, despite the claims process being streamlined, rejections are still common.
In this blog, we will discuss EPF advance claim rejection reasons, explore why your claim may have been rejected and what you can do to avoid them.
Online EPF Claim Rejection Reasons
Inaccurate or Incomplete KYC
One of the primary reasons your EPF claim could get rejected is because of inaccurate KYC documents or inaccurate documentation in general.
If your KYC details are incomplete and not verified, the EPFO can reject your withdrawal claim. Hence, always complete any and all KYC formalities before submitting a claim.
Mismatched Information
This is another common EPF claim rejection reason. Generally, if the information provided in the claim submission does not match the information in the EPFO database, your claim will be rejected.
For example, if your name is spelt differently on your Aahdar and PF portal, it can lead to a claim rejection.
This can be remedied by submitting a Joint Declaration Form (to correct your PF member details) with your employer, along with the claim application. You must also state the reason behind the name difference on your application.
Violation of the Withdrawal Rule
EPFs allow partial withdrawal before maturity only under certain conditions. Usually, you must have completed 5 years of continuous employment to withdraw a maximum of 12 months basic salary with the dearness allowance or an employee's share with interest, whichever is lower.
In case of unemployment for over 1 month, you can withdraw 75% of your PF fund. The remaining 25% can be withdrawn if your unemployment exceeds 2 months.
Before filing a claim, you must understand the withdrawal rules to ensure your claim is not rejected.
Incorrect Bank Details
Providing an incorrect account number or IFSC code can lead to rejection. Your bank details must be up to date and your linked bank account must be active.
If you have entered the correct bank details and your claim is still rejected, it could be due to you using a joint account. Only joint accounts with a spouse are accepted by the EPFO portal.
Other reasons include your bank revising its IFSC code due to a merger or the bank account linked with your UAN might have become dormant. To correct this, redo your bank KYC and get it re-approved by your employer.
Non-Linking of UAN with Aadhaar
Your Aadhar must be verified and linked to your UAN for your claim to be approved. Without linking, the EPFO can reject your claim.
Unclear Signature
Your signature must match the one available in the EPFO's records. If there is a mismatch or the signature looks markedly different from the one in the EPFO's database, it can be an EPF claim rejection reason.
Insufficient Service for Pension Withdrawal
To claim the total corpus on retirement, you must have maintained employment for at least 6 months. This is mandatory. Before the completion of 6 months, you apply using Form 19 but not Form 10C.
Note that Form 19 is for the final settlement (for quitting, superannuation or termination of service), Form 10C is for pension withdrawal, and Form 31 is for partial withdrawals.
Server-Side Errors or Technical Issues
This is an issue that is out of your hands. In case of online errors and glitches, it is best to note down the specific error message and contact the website's support staff for further assistance.
What Can I Do If My EPF Claim Gets Rejected?
- Double-Check Your Documents and Eligibility: The most common online EPF claim rejection reason is either inaccurate documentation or a mismatch of details between the documents and the EPFO database. E.g., Names are spelt differently, the father's name is different, bank details are wrong, etc.
Double-check all your documents and their information to ensure they are up to date, and check if you qualify for a withdrawal. You can check your eligibility here.
- Try Submitting Both Form 10C And Form 19: This is a common error people can face when filing for pension withdrawals. There is no logical reason behind this error, so to be safe, we recommend selecting and submitting Form 10C and Form 19 during your claim submission.
- Track Your Claim Status: Follow up with the EPF office or website and rack your claim status to be notified of any issues to avoid a rejection. You can track your claim status on the EPFO portal.
- Seek Help if Required: If you are unsure of how to proceed during the process or because of a rejection, seek help from your employer or the EPF office.
Conclusion
Your EPF claim can get rejected for several reasons, and sometimes, there may be no logical reason behind the rejection. Hence, when faced with any difficulties, consider implementing the strategies listed on our blog.
Moreover, settling a claim can take around 20 days, so be patient and ensure you submit everything on time to avoid any delays.
