EPF Form 20

EPF is a retirement scheme where both employee and employer contribute. If an employee can't work till retirement or passes away, their family receives benefits like insurance and pensions. Form 20 is used for withdrawal.

What Is EPF Form 20?

Employees Provident Fund is a retirement savings scheme where both the employee and their employer contribute money during the working years. When the employee reaches the age of 58 or in certain special cases, they can access these savings for retirement.

However, if an employee passes away before retirement, their family is entitled to certain benefits. First, there's the Employees Deposit Linked Insurance or EDLI scheme which provides insurance coverage of up to Rs. 7 lakhs to the family.

The family may receive a monthly pension under the Employees Pension Scheme or EPS. This pension is provided to the widow, children or orphans of the deceased employee. The family can fill out EPF Form 20 to request a withdrawal from the provident fund. This form can also be used to withdraw funds for a minor or a member who is mentally ill.
 

Eligibility For EPF Form 20

The EPF Form 20 can be filled out by:

1. The guardian of a minor or lunatic member (someone who is not mentally capable).
2. A nominee or legal heir of a member who has passed away.
3. The guardian of a minor or lunatic nominee or heir who is claiming the Provident Fund accumulation of the deceased member.

This form allows these individuals to claim the Provident Fund amount on behalf of the member or their heirs.
 

What Documents Are Required To File Form 20?

• After a member passes away, their nominee, surviving family members, or legal heirs need to apply for a death certificate.
• If someone other than the natural guardian of a minor member, nominee, family member, or legal heir is applying, they need a guardianship certificate issued by a competent court of law.
• A cancelled cheque is required for Electronic Clearing Service payments to be deposited directly into the claimant's bank account.
• EPF Form 5 IF is used to claim benefits from the Employees Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme or EDLI if a member dies while employed.
• EPF Form 10D To claim pension benefits like widow's pension, children's pension, and orphan's pension, use this form.
• EPF Form 10C, If the member passed away after reaching the age of 58 and hadn't completed 10 years of service, this form is used to withdraw pension benefits.
• These documents and forms are necessary for processing claims and providing benefits after the death of a member of the EPF.
   

Things To Consider While Filing Form 20

• To get SMS updates on your application's progress, provide your mobile number.
• Fill out the form using capital letters and include all your details.
• Include a cancelled cheque from your bank account for fund transfer.
• Make sure your address is complete, including the PIN Code.
   

How To Fill EPF Form 20?

If you're applying for EPF benefits for a deceased member's family member, heir, nominee, or guardian, you can fill out Form 20 offline. Then, submit it to the EPF Commissioner's office through your employer, along with the necessary documents. Make sure you fill in the specified fields on the form accurately.

Please provide your phone number to receive text updates about the status of your EPF withdrawal.

Particulars of the Member

1. Member's Name
2. Father's/Husband's Name for married women
3. Name and address of the last workplace
4. EPF Account Number
5. Departure Date from the job
6. Reason for leaving mention Death if applicable
7. Date of Death (dd/mm/yyyy)
8. Marital status at the time of death

Particulars of the Claimant

1. Claimant's name: The person making the claim.
2. Father’s/Husband’s Name: The name of their father or husband.
3. Gender: Whether the claimant is male or female.
4. Age (as on the date of death of the member): How old the claimant was when the member (likely a family member) passed away.
5. Marital Status (As on the date of death of the member): Whether the claimant was married or unmarried at the time of the member's death.
6. Relationship with the deceased member: How the claimant is related to the person who passed away.

This section is for someone who is responsible for a minor or legally incapacitated member. It's also for the guardian of a minor or legally incapacitated nominee, legal heir, or family member of the deceased member.

Claimant's name: Name of the person claiming.
Father/Husband's Name: Name of their father or husband.
Full Postal Address: Complete address of the claimant.
Relationship with the minor/deceased member: How they are related, in capital letters.
Remittance Method: How payment will be sent:
•    Payment via postal money order.
•    Payment via cheques or electronic transfer to a Savings Bank Account.
 

Attestation Of EPF Form 20

EPF Form 20 needs to be sent to the EPFO by the most recent employer of the member. Both the employer and the member need to sign each page of the form.

If the employer's establishment is closed, the form should be verified and attested by one of these authorities:

1. Magistrate
2. Gazetted Officer
3. Post or Sub Post Master
4. Chairman, Secretary, or Member of the Municipal or District Local Board, Member of Parliament, Legislative Assembly, or Member of Central Board of Trustees
5. Regional Committee of Employees Provident Fund
6. Manager of the Bank where the Saving Bank Account is maintained
7. Head of any recognized educational institution
8. President of Village Union
9. President of the Village Panchayat if there is no Union Board

Advantages Of Filing EPF Form 20?

Filing Form 20 after the death of an EPF member comes with several important benefits:

1. Getting what's owed: It's all about claiming what the deceased member had in their EPF account the money they saved, any gratuity, and pension they were entitled to.

2. Smooth asset transfer: Form 20 is crucial for transferring the assets to the nominee without hiccups. By completing it and submitting the necessary documents, the nominee ensures a hassle free transfer.

3. Financial support: EPF is a safety net for employees and their families. Filing Form 20 means the nominee can access the funds and benefits the member accumulated, offering financial security.

4. Making things easier: Form 20 simplifies the whole process. Doing it right and on time avoids delays or complications that could pop up otherwise.

5. Getting paid on time: By filing Form 20 promptly, the nominee ensures they receive the entitled benefits without unnecessary delays. It's all about getting what's rightfully theirs as soon as possible.

Conclusion

EPF Form 20 is crucial for nominees of deceased EPF members. It ensures smooth transfer of assets and timely access to accumulated funds, gratuity, and pension benefits. By simplifying the process, it offers financial security and peace of mind during a challenging time.