Nominee not mentioned? Here's how to withdraw EPF money after member's death

EPFO withdrawal: Employee Provident Fund or EPF is a popular savings scheme under the Employee Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) that is supervised by the Government of India. Under this scheme, both the employee and the employer contribute 12 per cent of the employee's base salary and dearness allowance to EPF. The current annual interest rate on EPF deposits is 8.1 per cent.

This scheme also helps EPF members’ families in case of unfortunate death. In such cases, the amount accumulated can be withdrawn by the nominee and if there is no nominee then the money can be withdrawn by an immediate family member or legal heir. In the case of a minor family member, the money can be claimed by the guardian of the minor. 

Here is a step-by-step guide on how a family member/nominee/legal heir can withdraw EPF money after the death of an EPF member:

Step 1: 

Fill out EPF form 20 with the necessary details of the member and claimant. 

Step 2:

After submitting the form, the claimants will get SMS alerts on different stages of the approval of their claim form. The claimant can also visit the EPFO website to check the status.

Step 3: 

The claimant will receive the amount after the process is completed. Payment is made by directly crediting the Bank Account mentioned by the claimant. 

Note: The application should be submitted through the employer under whom the member was last employed. In case the claim is through a form downloaded from the Epfindia website, then all pages should be signed by the claimant as well as the employer.

In case the bank account is in a computerised branch, payment may be made faster through electronic mode (NEFT etc). The claimant should attach a copy of blank/cancelled cheque ensuring that the IFS Code and bank account numbers are clearly visible. Payment can be made through Money Order only if the total amount is less than 2000/-. The claimant should mention his/her postal address correctly with PIN Code so as to receive the money and any communication related to the claim.

Documents to be submitted with EPF form 20 

(a) Death certificate

(b) Guardianship certificate 

(c) Copy of blank/cancelled cheque 

(d) Form 5(IF) for claiming the benefits under the Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme, in case: (i) The member had died while in service, (ii) The establishment under which the member was working at the time of death was un-exempted under the EDLI Scheme as on his date of death.

(e) Form 10D for claiming the Pension benefits, in case: (i) The claimant is a family member (Spouse/child below 25 years of age as on date of death of member) (ii) Nominee for Pension, in case the member had no family and had nominated such nominee for Pension (iii) Dependent Parents, in case the member had no family at the time of his/her death and had not nominated anyone for Pension. 

(f) Form 10C for withdrawal Benefit, in case the member had died after 58 years of age and had not completed 10 years of service as of the date of crossing 58 years of age.

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