The Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has issued updated guidelines for processing physical claims for specific categories of members unable to link Aadhaar with their Universal Account Number (UAN). This follows grievances reported due to difficulties in Aadhaar seeding and authentication, especially for international workers and non-resident members. The new instructions outline alternative identification methods to ensure settlement of claims without Aadhaar linkage for eligible members.

Eligible categories include international workers who left India without Aadhaar, Indian workers who migrated permanently and acquired foreign citizenship, and citizens of Nepal and Bhutan working in India under the EPF Act but residing abroad. For these members, claims will be processed with other identification documents such as passports or citizenship certificates. Material claims must be supported by detailed verification, including bank account validation and employer confirmation for claims exceeding ₹5 lakh. These measures are intended to address grievances and ensure timely resolution of legitimate claims.

Organization of the Employees’ Provident Fund
(MINISTRY OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT. GOVERNMENT OF INCA)
Head office
Plate A. Grourd Floor. Block II. Eas: Kidwai Nagar, New Delhi-110023
Website: www.epfindia.gov.in, www.epfindia.nic.in

No. WSU/2020/Settlement of complaints without clarification UAN/8726

Date: 29.11.2024

HAS,

All Addl. CPFC (HQ), Addl. CPFC, zone offices
All RPFC/OIC, regional offices

Sub: Settlement of physical claims without priming Aadhaar for certain categories of members-reg.

Ref: Circular No. WSU/2020/Settlement of complaints without clarification UAN/914 dated 24.09.2020.

With regard to the instructions issued in the above circular, certain references have been received from the field offices indicating their inability to sow and authenticate Aadhaar as stipulated in the circular mentioned above in certain cases leading to non-settlement of claims due belonging to the members. and the grievances that arise from it.

2. Accordingly, the matter has been re-examined and the following directions are issued for settlement of the claims:-

Accordingly, the following categories of members are identified to be exempted from the application of the instructions in the above circular to ensure that dues relating to such bona fide members are paid promptly.

I. International Workers (IW) who have already left India after completing their assignment but without obtaining Aadhaar.

ii. Indian worker who migrated permanently to a foreign country and later obtained citizenship without having Aadhaar

iii. Citizens of Nepal and subjects of Bhutan who meet the definition of employee and are working and listed in an establishment covered by the EPF&MP Act but are not residing in India and therefore do not possess Aadhaar.

3. Although UAN must necessarily be generated for the above members in case they do not already have a UAN, the requirement of seeding Aadhaar with UAN is waived, due to their inability to get Aadhaar now.

4. Accordingly, physical claims shall be accepted by such members and processed for final settlement by duly verifying the authenticity of the member on the basis of other identity documents i.e. passport in the case of international workers or citizenship identification certificate/document for Nepali and Bhutanese workers, PAN. , bank account, etc. duly guaranteeing their eligibility for benefits. Due diligence may be exercised in such cases, by duly recording the details of the verification carried out and approval for the handling of such cases may be obtained from the OIC in an electronic record which will be maintained for this purpose.

(This is subject to CPFC approval)

Yours faithfully,

(GR Suchindranath)
ACC(M&A)