The Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has introduced a major update to its rules regarding Provident Fund (PF) claims. While linking Aadhaar to the Universal Account Number (UAN) has been mandatory for most employees, the EPFO has now relaxed this requirement for specific categories of workers.
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Who Benefits from This Change?
The Aadhaar linking requirement is no longer mandatory for the following groups:
International Workers:
- Employees who worked in India and returned to their home countries without obtaining Aadhaar.
Indian Citizens with Foreign Citizenship:
- Individuals who could not acquire Aadhaar after obtaining foreign citizenship.
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Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan:
- Workers from these nations who are not required to have Aadhaar.
Former Indian Citizens Residing Abroad Permanently:
- Individuals who have renounced their Indian citizenship.
Alternative Documentation for PF Claims
Employees exempted from the Aadhaar mandate can still process PF claims using other documents, such as:
- Passports
- Citizenship Certificates
- Other Official Identity Cards
- PAN Cards and Bank Details
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For claims exceeding ₹5 lakh, the employer will verify the member’s authenticity to ensure smooth processing.Why This Matters
This update simplifies the claim settlement process for individuals who face challenges obtaining Aadhaar. It ensures accessibility and convenience for diverse groups, including international workers and citizens of neighboring countries, making the EPFO system more inclusive and efficient.
If you fall into any of these categories, make sure to have your alternative documents ready for seamless claim processing!
