How to Claim Provident Fund (PF) of a Deceased Family Member in India

When an employee who is a member of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) passes away during service, the accumulated provident fund balance does not lapse. The nominee, family member, or legal heir has the right to claim the deceased member’s PF accumulations, pension benefits under the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS), and insurance payout under the Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance (EDLI) scheme. This guide explains who can file the claim, what forms are needed, and the step-by-step procedure for recovering all three benefits.

Who Can File a PF Death Claim

The right to claim depends on whether the deceased member had registered a nomination with the EPFO. If a valid nomination exists, the registered nominee is entitled to receive the full PF balance. If no nomination was made, the amount is distributed equally among eligible family members, which includes the spouse, children, and dependent parents. If the deceased had no family and no nomination, a legal heir holding a succession certificate issued under the Indian Succession Act 1925 or a probate of the will granted by the High Court can file the claim. In the case of minor children, a guardian appointed by the court must file on their behalf.

Three Benefits You Can Claim

When an EPF member dies during service, the family is entitled to three separate benefits. It is important to file for all three simultaneously to avoid delays.

• EPF Balance (Form 20): This is the total amount accumulated in the deceased member’s provident fund account, including both employee and employer contributions with interest. The full balance is paid as a lump sum to the nominee or family.

• EPS Family Pension (Form 10D): If the deceased had completed at least 10 years of pensionable service under the Employees’ Pension Scheme, the surviving spouse receives a monthly widow or widower pension for life. Children below 25 years of age are also eligible for a children’s pension at 25 percent of the widow pension, for a maximum of two children at a time. The minimum monthly pension is Rs 1,000. If service was less than 10 years but more than 6 months, the family receives a lump-sum withdrawal benefit instead of monthly pension.

• EDLI Insurance (Form 5IF): The Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance scheme provides a lump-sum insurance benefit ranging from Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 7 lakh, depending on the member’s average monthly wages during the 12 months preceding death. This benefit is available regardless of the cause of death.

Documents Required for the Death Claim

Gather the following documents before filing. The original death certificate of the deceased member issued by the municipal authority is mandatory. You will need the Aadhaar card of the claimant (nominee or family member). A cancelled cheque or bank passbook copy of the claimant’s bank account is required for direct benefit transfer. If the claim is filed by a legal heir rather than a nominee, a succession certificate or legal heir certificate is necessary. If the claimant is a minor, a guardianship certificate issued by the court must be attached. If you need any of these documents notarized for official use, approach a registered notary public.

Step-by-Step Procedure to File the Claim

Step 1: Inform the employer of the deceased about the death as soon as possible. The employer must provide the necessary claim forms and assist with attestation. If the family also needs to claim gratuity under the Payment of Gratuity Act 1972, request that process to run in parallel.

Step 2: Obtain the three claim forms. Form 20 is for EPF balance withdrawal, Form 10D is for EPS family pension, and Form 5IF is for EDLI insurance benefit. These forms are available on the EPFO website at epfindia.gov.in or from the employer.

Step 3: Fill in all three forms with the deceased member’s Universal Account Number (UAN), establishment code, date of joining, date of death, and the claimant’s personal and bank details. Each page of Form 20 must be signed by both the claimant and the employer.

Step 4: Attach the required documents. For Form 20, attach the death certificate, claimant’s Aadhaar, cancelled cheque, and nomination proof. For Form 10D, attach the death certificate, marriage certificate (for spouse pension), and birth certificates of children (for children’s pension). For Form 5IF, attach the death certificate and bank details.

Step 5: Submit the completed forms through the employer to the jurisdictional EPFO office. The employer must forward the forms with attestation and a certificate confirming the member’s service details. If the employer is not available or has closed operations, the forms can be attested by a Bank Manager, Gazetted Officer, Magistrate, or a local Member of Parliament or MLA.

Step 6: For families who are familiar with the online EPF withdrawal process, EPFO has introduced a provisional e-filing portal for death claims. However, physical verification of documents remains mandatory, so the online route currently serves as a preliminary step rather than a complete replacement for physical submission.

Settlement Timeline and Interest on Delays

Once accepted, the EPFO Commissioner is legally required to settle the EPF balance (Form 20) within 30 days. EDLI insurance claims under Form 5IF are typically settled within 30 to 45 days. The Pension Payment Order (PPO) under Form 10D is issued within 30 to 45 days, with the first monthly pension credit including arrears from the date of death. If payment is delayed beyond 30 days, the claimant is entitled to receive interest at 12 percent per annum on the delayed amount until disbursement.

What to Do If the Claim Is Delayed or Rejected

If your claim faces delays or rejection, first file a grievance on the EPFO grievance portal at epfigms.gov.in with your claim reference number. If the grievance is not resolved within 30 days, you may escalate the matter by writing to the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner. For continued non-resolution, you can file a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission if the delay involves a denial of the right to livelihood. Alternatively, if the employer has mismanaged or not deposited PF contributions, the family can file an insurance claim rejection appeal before the IRDAI Ombudsman for EDLI-related disputes, or approach the EPF Appellate Tribunal under Section 7-I of the EPF and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952.

Filing a PF death claim requires prompt action and proper documentation. By submitting all three forms simultaneously through the employer and tracking the claim through the EPFO portal, families can secure the deceased member’s provident fund balance, monthly pension, and insurance benefits within the prescribed timelines.