► What Is the Process or Resolution If a Newly Onboarded Employee Is Unable to Withdraw or the New Employer Cannot Transfer PF Contributions from the Previous Company? When a newly onboarded employee faces difficulties withdrawing their Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) balance or when a new employer is unable to transfer PF contributions made by a previous employer, it can cause significant inconvenience and compliance challenges. Below is a detailed explanation and step-by-step resolution process for such scenarios. 1. Common Reasons for PF Withdrawal or Transfer Issues • Incomplete or mismatched KYC details (such as Aadhaar, PAN, bank account linked to UAN). • Non-linkage of UAN with previous and current employment records. • Multiple PF accounts under different UANs due to job switching without proper transfer. • Mismatch in personal details (name, date of birth, gender) between Aadhaar and EPFO records. • Overlap in service periods, causing EPFO to reject transfer requests. • Previous employer not approving or updating EPF records timely. 2. Process to Resolve Employee PF Withdrawal Issues Initiate Online PF Withdrawal Claim: • The employee can submit an online claim through the EPF member portal using their Universal Account Number (UAN). • KYC documents (Aadhaar, PAN, bank details) must be updated and verified on the EPFO portal. • Use Form 19 for full settlement or Form 31 for advance/partial withdrawal. • The claim is processed typically within 3–5 working days if all details are compliant. Offline Withdrawal Option: • If online withdrawal is problematic, submit a composite physical claim form with employer attestation (Form 19 or Form 31). • Employer attestation is mandatory unless Aadhaar is linked and authenticated. • If Withdrawal Is Not Allowed Due to Active Employment: • Employees currently employed cannot withdraw the PF corpus from the current EPF account. • They should initiate a transfer of their PF balance from the previous employer’s account to the new employer’s PF account. 3. Process to Resolve PF Transfer Issues Between Employers Ensure UAN Activation: • Employee’s UAN should be activated and linked with Aadhaar, PAN, and bank details. • Both previous and current employer accounts should be linked with the same UAN. Initiate Transfer Request Online: • Log in to the EPF Member Portal using UAN credentials. • Go to “Online Services” > “One Member – One EPF Account (Transfer Request).” • Verify personal and employment details, previous PF account details will auto-load. • Choose employer (previous or current) for claim attestation. • Authorize transfer using Aadhaar-based OTP sent to the registered mobile. • Print the generated Form 13 (transfer claim form), sign, and submit it to the current employer within 10 days. Employer’s Role: • Current employer verifies and digitally signs the Form 13. • The form is forwarded to EPFO for approval. • EPFO Processing: • EPFO reviews and approves the transfer. • The transferred PF balance reflects in the new PF account and is visible in the UAN passbook. 4. Resolution of Common Problems Service Overlap or PF Account Duplication: • EPFO does not reject transfers solely on minor date mismatches anymore. • Employees must ensure continuous service records to avoid rejection. Data Mismatch: • The employee should update the correct name/gender/DOB on the Aadhar which must match EPFO. • Update details on EPFO portal and bank record if needed. • Delayed or Non-Approval by Employers: • Employee can approach the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner (RPFC) or raise grievances on the EPFO grievance portal for help. • If PF Account Linked to Trust or Exempted Establishments: • Some companies manage PF through trust funds. Transfers might be delayed due to coordination between EPFO and the trust. • No direct resolution except waiting for trust to process it or escalate to EPFO. 5. What Employees and Employers Should Do Employees: • Regularly update and verify their UAN KYC details. • Use online portals for transfer or withdrawal claims. • Keep track of transfer status and communicate with both old and new employers. • Escalate to EPFO or RPFC if issues persist. Employers: • Cooperate with employees’ transfer requests. • Verify and approve transfer claims promptly. • Ensure timely submission of electronic contribution reports. • Help employees in resolving discrepancies by coordinating with EPFO.