Employee Provident Fund (EPF) claims can be rejected for various reasons, often due to errors or missing information during the submission process. One of the most frequent causes of rejection involves incorrect details in the claim form — such as mismatched bank account numbers, IFSC codes, or employment records. Additionally, claims connected to inactive, unregistered, or unlinked Universal Account Numbers (UANs) are considered invalid. Premature withdrawals that don’t meet EPF norms, like attempting to withdraw the balance before completing the required service period, will also be rejected.
Discrepancies in an employee’s service records can further lead to rejection. For example, if the joining date or exit date differs from the employer's records, or if there are pending employer dues, the claim may be denied. Another significant factor is improper attestation — if the employer fails to digitally verify the employee’s details or provides incomplete verification, the claim is likely to be turned down. Moreover, technical errors, such as submitting a claim during server downtime or uploading documents in an unsupported format, can cause an otherwise valid claim to fail.
To avoid rejections, employees must take proactive steps. This includes verifying their personal details, ensuring the accuracy of their bank information and UAN, and double-checking supporting documents, like Aadhaar and PAN cards, to prevent mismatches.
If an EPF claim gets rejected despite these precautions, employees can resubmit the claim online by following these detailed steps:
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Identify the Reason for Rejection:
- Log in to the EPFO portal and go to the Claim Status section to find the rejection reason. Understanding why the claim was rejected is crucial before resubmitting. Common reasons include incomplete KYC details, bank account mismatches, or employer-related issues.
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Correct the Errors:
- Once the error is identified, fix the mistakes. This might involve updating bank details, correcting personal information, or obtaining the necessary employer attestation.
- If a rejected claim was due to an invalid or faulty cheque, ensure you upload a fresh, valid canceled cheque that clearly shows your name, account number, and IFSC code.
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Log in to the UAN Member Portal:
- Visit https://unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in and log in with your UAN and password.
- If you’ve forgotten your password, reset it using the OTP sent to your registered mobile number.
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Select the Correct Form:
- Go to the Online Services section and pick the right form based on the type of claim:
- Form 19 – For full EPF withdrawal after leaving your job.
- Form 10C – For claiming the pension portion if your service exceeds 6 months but is under 10 years.
- Form 31 – For partial withdrawals, like medical expenses, home loan repayments, marriage, or education.
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Update Bank Account Details:
- Carefully enter your bank account details and re-enter the account number to confirm accuracy. Any error in this step could delay or reject the claim.
- Ensure the bank account is KYC-compliant and linked to your UAN.
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Complete the Claim Form:
- Fill out the form with accurate details. Pay attention to dates of joining, exit, and KYC verification status. Incorrect dates or incomplete information will result in rejection again.
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Upload Supporting Documents:
- Upload necessary documents — like a valid canceled cheque, PAN card (for tax deduction), Form 15G (to avoid TDS, if applicable), and employer attestation (if needed).
- Ensure the documents are in supported formats like PDF or JPEG and are within the allowable size limit.
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Authenticate the Claim:
- An OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number linked to your UAN. Enter the OTP to authenticate and submit your claim request. This serves as a digital signature to confirm the application.
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Track the Claim Status:
- Monitor the status of your claim through the EPFO portal or UMANG app. EPF claims generally take 15-20 working days to process.
- If delays occur, reach out to your employer or the nearest EPF office for assistance.
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Escalate via the EPF Grievance Portal (if needed):
- If the claim is stuck or rejected again without a valid reason, lodge a complaint through the EPF Grievance Portal at https://epfigms.gov.in. This escalates the issue to EPFO officials for faster resolution.
In addition to these steps, employees should keep their personal and employment records updated regularly. Any change in the mobile number, bank account, or address should be promptly updated on the UAN Member Portal to avoid complications during claim settlements.
Key Tips to Prevent EPF Claim Rejections:
- Ensure your Aadhaar, PAN, and bank account are linked and verified in the KYC section of the UAN portal.
- Double-check that the date of joining and date of exit match employer records.
- Always provide a canceled cheque or bank passbook copy with your name, account number, and IFSC code clearly visible.
- Keep a copy of the employer’s attestation (if applicable) for partial or advance withdrawals.
- For claims exceeding ₹50,000, ensure your PAN is updated to avoid a 34.6% TDS deduction.
- Use the UMANG app for quicker tracking and to raise any concerns directly from your smartphone.
By carefully correcting errors, verifying KYC details, and following the right resubmission steps, employees can minimize rejections and ensure a smooth EPF withdrawal process.
