PF subscribers can now rectify date of birth online using Aadhaar

The Provident Fund subscribers can now rectify their date of birth in EPFO records to ensure that their UAN is KYC compliant, the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) said on Sunday.

EPFO has issued revised instructions to its field offices in this regard.

The decision has been taken to extend the availability and reach of online services in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The date of birth recorded in 'Aadhaar' will now be accepted as valid proof of date of birth for the purpose of rectification, provided that the difference in the two dates is less than 3 years. The PF subscribers can submit the correction requests online.

This will enable EPFO to validate the date of birth of members online with UIDAI instantaneously, thus authenticating and reducing the processing time of change requests.

EPFO has instructed field offices to expedite disposal of online requests, enabling PF members in financial distress, to apply online for availing non-refundable advance from their PF accumulations to tide over the coronavirus outbreak.

Earlier, the government amended the EPF scheme to allow over 6 crore subscribers of retirement scheme to withdraw an amount not exceeding their three months basic pay and dearness allowance or up to 75% of the total balance from their EPF account in view of the lockdown over coronavirus outbreak.

The Union Ministry of Labour and Employment had last week issued a notification regarding the amendment in the EPF Scheme to allow withdrawal of non-refundable advance by EPF members in the event of the outbreak of the pandemic.

The notification permits withdrawal of up to the amount of basic wages and dearness allowance for three months or up to 75% of the amount standing to member's credit in the EPF account, whichever is less, in the event of the outbreak of epidemic or pandemic, it said.

Coronavirus disease or COVID-19 has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation and the authorities in India.

Therefore, the amendment allows employees working in establishments and factories across entire India, who are members of the EPF Scheme, 1952 are eligible for the benefits of non-refundable advance, the Labour Ministry said.