EPF Withdrawal Online - Steps to Withdraw, Forms, Eligibility

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) allows salaried employees to withdraw their provident fund (PF) balance, either partially or fully, under certain conditions. This article walks you through the online withdrawal process, the forms and documents required, and the eligibility criteria in simple, easy-to-understand language.

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What does “EPF withdrawal online” mean

“EPF withdrawal online” is the process by which you, as an EPF member, use your online account (via UAN portal or mobile app) to submit your claim for PF funds rather than submitting a paper form to the EPFO office. This method is faster, more convenient, and in many cases does not require your employer’s attestation.

Eligibility – Who can withdraw & when

Before you apply, you need to check whether your situation satisfies the eligibility criteria.

Here are the key requirements:

• Your Universal Account Number (UAN) must be activated and your mobile number linked.
• Your Aadhaar should be seeded/verified in the EPFO database, and your bank account (with IFSC) should also be linked to UAN.
• For full withdrawal (settlement), you should have exited employment from a PF-covered organisation and the date of exit should be correctly recorded in EPFO.
• For partial withdrawals (advances) while in service, you must meet specific conditions, such as minimum service duration, and the purpose must be permissible (house purchase/education/medical etc).
• If you have served less than 5 continuous years and are withdrawing, tax/TDS rules will apply.

Forms & Documents Required

Here’s a breakdown of what forms are used and what documents you’ll typically need:

Forms:

• The primary form for online withdrawal is the Composite Claim Form (which covers Form 19 for final settlement, Form 10C for pension withdrawal, and Form 31 for partial withdrawal) this is available in Aadhar-based and Non-Aadhar variants.
• For non-online/attested processes: Form 14 (for LIC premium financing via PF), Form 20, Form 10D (for pension), Form 5IF (in death cases) etc.

Documents typically required:

• Aadhaar card (or ID proof)
• PAN card (especially if service < 5 years).
• Bank account details with IFSC (account should be the same as linked with UAN).
• Date of joining and date of exit (for final settlement) must be correctly recorded in EPFO database.
• For purpose-based withdrawals: documents like medical certificate, house purchase cost sheet, education fees receipt etc may be needed.

Steps to Withdraw EPF Online

Here’s a step-by-step guide to how you can raise a withdrawal claim through the UAN Member Portal:

1. Log in to the UAN Member Portal (via EPFO website) with your UAN number and password.

2. Under dashboard go to Manage → KYC and verify that Aadhaar, PAN, bank account (with IFSC) are correctly seeded & verified.

3. Go to Online Services → Claim (Form 31, 19, 10C & 10D).

4. You will see your member details. Enter the bank account number (already seeded) and click “Verify”.

5. Click on “Yes” for the certificate of undertaking (self-certification) and then click “Proceed for Online Claim”.

6. In the claim form select the type of claim under “I Want To Apply For”-

   1. Full EPF settlement (Form 19)
   2. Pension withdrawal (Form 10C)
   3. PF advance/partial withdrawal (Form 31)
      (Only the options you are eligible for will appear)

7. If you select partial withdrawal (Form 31), then you also choose the purpose, enter the amount required, and confirm your present address.

8. Submit the claim. You may also need to upload scanned documents (if required).

9. After submission, you can track your claim status via Online Services → Track Claim Status.

10. Once approved, the amount is transferred to your bank account (usually within 15-20 days) provided everything is in order.

Key Conditions & What You Should Know

• Even though the online process is simpler, if your Aadhaar/bank/PAN is not linked, employer attestation may still be needed.
• If you withdraw full EPF before 5 years of continuous service, tax/TDS may apply (10% if PAN furnished; 30% without PAN)
• Partial withdrawal is allowed only for specified purposes (housing, medical, education etc) and subject to service period conditions.
• Always check ❝Exit date❞ and service history; incorrect exit date or missing months can delay the claim.
• If you have changed jobs and your previous PF balance is linked to the same UAN, you should transfer the account rather than withdraw (to preserve interest and continuity).

Advantages of Online EPF Withdrawal

• Faster and more convenient; no need to physically visit EPFO office.
• For online claims with Aadhaar-verified UAN, employer attestation is not required.
• You can track status online at any time.

Summary

With your UAN active, Aadhaar, PAN and bank details linked and verified, you can easily raise your EPF withdrawal claim online via the UAN Member Portal. Whether you need full settlement or a partial advance for a permissible purpose, follow the steps above, select the correct form from the portal, upload any required docs, and track your claim. Make sure you meet the eligibility criteria and submit accurate information to avoid delays or tax implications.