Application for pension on higher wages to be assessed by EPFO within 20 days of the receipt

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation, vide internal circular No. Pension/PoHW/PartFile-101123/Scrutiny (e-1003310)/1375, dated 2^nd June, 2023, has directed all its field officers to scrutinise the application for pension on higher wages within 20 days of the receipt.

Earlier, Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation, vide circular dated 23^rd April, 2023 had clarified about the categorisation of received applications as below:

1. Application which is complete and approved by the employer.
2. Application is complete but not approved by the employer.
3. Application is not complete but approved by the employer.

Scrutiny when the application is complete and approved by the employer:

While dealing with this category of application, if all the details furnished in the application, and the PF records match, the dues will be calculated and order will be passed by EPFO for depositing or transferring the dues to the employee.

If there is any mismatch in the PF records and the details furnished in the application, information about the same will be given to the employee and the employer, with a time period of one month to complete the information. If information is not received within one month, an order will be passed based on the merit. 

Scrutiny when the application is complete but not approved by the employer:

Intimation about this shortfall will be given to the employee and the employer and a time period of one month will be given to the employer for providing any additional proof or evidence or to correct any mistake. If the said error is not rectified within one month and not approved by the employer, the application will be rejected.

Scrutiny when the application is not complete but approved by the employer: 

While dealing with this category of application, the EPO will seek the employer with an intimation to the employee to provide the missing information within one month. If the information is not received within one month, an order will be passed on merit.

Special cases where examination of records of the establishment is necessary:

There may be circumstances where examination of the records of the establishment/ trust, especially for rectification of wage details, is necessary. In such cases, a team will be formed by EPFO which will visit the establishment/trust after giving 7 days of notice of visit for verification of records. Verification of records will be only with respect to the concerned applicant. Efforts shall be made by EPFO to complete the verification in one go.

Now, as per the circular dated 2^nd June, 2023, Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation has directed all its field officers to validate the applications expeditiously and to send the demand letter or communication, as the case may be, to the employer and employee for providing any additional proof or evidence or to correct any mistake in respect of each applications within 20 days of the receipt of the application.

The above would help in faster processing of the application and providing clarity on the status of the application.