The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation EPFO has come forward to help people during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and is now allowing its members to avail second COVID-19 advance from the retirement fund as a non-refundable advance.

The provision for special withdrawal to meet the financial need of members during the pandemic was introduced in March 2020, under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY).

An amendment to this effect was made by the Ministry of Labour & Employment in Employees’ Provident Funds Scheme, 1952 by inserting therein sub-para (3) under paragraph 68L, through a notification in the Official Gazette.

-Under this provision, non-refundable withdrawal to the extent of the basic wages and dearness allowances for three months or up to 75% of the amount standing to member’s credit in the EPF account, whichever is less, is provided.

-Members can apply for a lesser amount also.

- Members who have already availed the first COVID-19 advance can now opt for a second advance also.

- The provision and process for withdrawal of the second COVID-19 advance are the same as in the case of the first advance.

Considering the urgent need of members for financial support in these trying times, it has been decided to accord top priority to COVID-19 claims.

- EPFO is committed to settling these claims within three days of their receipt.

-For this, EPFO has deployed a system driven auto-claim settlement process in respect of all such members whose KYC requirements is complete in all respects.

-Auto-mode of settlement enables EPFO to reduce the claim settlement cycle to just 3 days as against the statutory requirement to settle the claims within 20 days.

This support comes at a time when the ‘mucormycosis’ or black fungus has been declared an epidemic recently. In such trying times, EPFO endeavours to lend a helping hand to its members by meeting their financial needs, it said in the press release.

As of date, EPFO has settled more than 76.31 lakh COVID-19 advance claims thereby disbursing a total of Rs. 18,698.15 crore.

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