EPF Form 31 – Partial Withdrawal

EPF Form 31 is a form used by employees in India to request a partial withdrawal from their Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) account for specific purposes such as medical emergencies, education, marriage, or housing needs. This form can be submitted both online and offline, depending on the individual’s preference and eligibility.

What is EPF Form 31?

EPF Form 31, also known as the ‘Advance Form’, allows EPF members to withdraw a portion of their EPF savings before retirement under certain conditions. It’s designed to provide financial assistance for specific needs without affecting the entire retirement corpus.

Eligibility Criteria for Partial Withdrawal

To be eligible for partial withdrawal using Form 31:

  • Active EPF Membership: The individual must be an active member of the EPF scheme.
  • Purpose-Specific Conditions: Withdrawals are permitted for specific reasons such as:
    • Medical Treatment: For self or family members.
    • Education: For self or children’s post-matriculation education.
    • Marriage: For self, siblings, or children.
    • Housing: For purchase/construction of a house or repayment of home loan.
    • Natural Calamities: In case of disasters like floods, earthquakes, etc.
  • Service Tenure: Certain withdrawals require a minimum number of years in service. For example, withdrawal for marriage or education requires at least 7 years of service.

How to Submit EPF Form 31 Online

  1. Access the EPFO Portal: Visit the official EPFO member portal and log in using your Universal Account Number (UAN) and password.
  2. Navigate to Online Services: Click on the ‘Online Services’ tab and select ‘Claim (Form-31, 19 & 10C)’.
  3. Verify KYC Details: Ensure your KYC details like Aadhaar, PAN, and bank details are updated and verified.
  4. Proceed with Claim: Click on ‘Proceed for Online Claim’ and choose ‘PF Advance (Form 31)’ from the dropdown.
  5. Fill in the Details: Enter the purpose of withdrawal, the amount required, and your address.
  6. Authenticate with OTP: Agree to the terms and conditions, then click on ‘Get Aadhaar OTP’. Enter the OTP received on your registered mobile number to authenticate.
  7. Submit the Form: After successful authentication, submit the claim form.

Note: Ensure your UAN is active and linked with your Aadhaar, PAN, and bank account for a seamless online application process.

How to Submit EPF Form 31 Offline

  1. Download the Form: Obtain EPF Form 31 from the official EPFO website or your employer.
  2. Fill in the Details: Manually fill in the required details such as personal information, purpose of withdrawal, amount, and bank details.
  3. Attach Supporting Documents: Depending on the purpose of withdrawal, attach necessary documents like medical certificates, marriage invitations, or property papers.
  4. Employer Attestation: Get the form attested by your employer with their signature and seal.
  5. Submit to EPFO Office: Submit the completed form along with the supporting documents to the regional EPFO office.

Documents Required

The documents required vary based on the purpose of withdrawal:

  • Medical Treatment: Medical certificate and bills.
  • Education: Bonafide certificate from the educational institution.
  • Marriage: Marriage invitation or declaration.
  • Housing: Property documents, agreement papers, or loan statements.

Note: Always ensure that the documents are self-attested and valid.

Processing Time

The processing time for EPF Form 31 varies:

  • Online Submission: Typically processed within 5 to 30 days.
  • Offline Submission: May take longer due to manual verification and processing.

Note: Delays can occur if the form is incomplete or if there are discrepancies in the provided information.

Checking Claim Status

To check the status of your EPF Form 31 claim:

  1. Visit EPFO Portal: Log in to the EPFO member portal using your UAN and password.
  2. Navigate to ‘Track Claim Status’: Under the ‘Online Services’ tab, click on ‘Track Claim Status’.
  3. View Status: The status of your claim will be displayed, indicating whether it’s under process, approved, or settled.

Common Reasons for Rejection

  • Incomplete Form: Missing or incorrect information.
  • Mismatched Signatures: Signatures not matching with EPFO records.
  • Unverified KYC Details: KYC not updated or verified.
  • Previous Claims: Similar claim made recently for the same purpose.

Tip: Always double-check the form and attached documents before submission to avoid rejections.

For more detailed information and to download EPF Form 31, visit the official EPFO website.

If you need assistance with specific sections of the form or have further questions, feel free to ask!