EPFO: Important Changes to Claim Settlement You Should Be Aware of for FY26

The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has taken various steps over the past few years to make the claim settlement process more simplified. A few of these steps have been recently spotlighted by the Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Shobha Karandlaje. The details were shared by her in a written reply to multiple queries in the Lok Sabha.

Below are some of the key steps taken by EPFO to make the claim settlement process more simplified.

1. Auto Claim Settlement

In order to improve the lives of crores of members, the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) launched auto-mode claim settlements in April 2020. Earlier, the limit under this was Rs 50,000; however, now the limit has been increased to Rs. 1,00,000. In addition to this, Advances for housing, education, and marriage can now be processed automatically. Now, as per the shared information, 60% of advance claims are processed automatically and completed within three days.

2. Simplified Correction Process

The Union Minister has clarified that the member details correction process has been made simpler. Those who have Aadhaar-verified UANs can make changes/corrections by themselves in their IDs without any EPFO interference. Around 96% of corrections have been done in the absence of EPF office interference.

3. Simplified PF Transfer

To make PF transfers simpler, the EPFO has removed the requirement for the employer to verify Aadhaar-linked UANs. Now, only 10% of transfer claims need both the member’s and employer’s approval.

4. Cheque-leaf Not Required

For KYC-compliant UANs meeting the described criteria, the need to submit a cheque-leaf with the claim form has also been reduced.

5. De-linking Facilities

Members whose EPF accounts have been fraudulently linked by the establishments have also been offered de-linking facilities by EPFO. It was implemented on January 18, 2025, and more than 5,000 members delinked their accounts by the end of February 2025.