EPFO discontinues COVID-19 advance

As COVID-19 is no longer a pandemic, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation has decided to discontinue the COVID-19 advance provided under Para 68L(3) of the Employees’ Provident Funds Scheme, 1952, with immediate effect. EPFO communicated this decision through its circular No. WSU/2020/COVID-19/AgendaItem/1701, dated 12^thJune 2024. 

During the pandemic outbreak in 2020, the Ministry of Labour and Employment, vide Notification No. G.S.R 225(E), dated 27^th March 2020, amended the EPF Scheme, 1952, by inserting Sub-Para (3) under Para 68L of the Scheme to provide for a non-refundable advance to EPF Members on an application from the member in the event of an outbreak of the pandemic.

EPFO has further clarified that this discontinuation of advance for Covid-19 will be applicable to exempted Trusts also.