The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has implemented several major changes to streamline and accelerate the EPF account claims process. These upgrades are designed to enhance the efficiency and speed of claim settlements, benefiting millions of EPFO members.
Auto-Settlement of Advance Claims
One of the key changes is the expansion of the auto-settlement facility for advance claims. Introduced initially for illness in April 2020, this facility has now been extended to include education, marriage, and housing purposes. Under this system, claims up to Rs 1 lakh are processed automatically by the IT system without any human intervention, reducing the settlement time to within 3-4 days. This move is expected to benefit around 2.25 crore members in the current year.
The auto-settlement process has already shown significant results, with more than 50% of illness claims and a substantial number of other advance claims being settled on auto mode. This has significantly reduced the service delivery time and enhanced the 'ease of living' for EPFO members.
Multi-Location Claim Settlement
To further expedite claim settlements, the EPFO has introduced a multi-location claim settlement system. This system allows claims to be processed from any regional office across the country, replacing the current geographical jurisdiction structure. This initiative aims to evenly distribute the burden of claim settlements, minimizing delays and improving productivity in EPFO offices nationwide.
The link office setup between Delegating Regional Office (DRO) and Collaborating Regional Office (CRO) ensures close coordination to achieve the desired results in claim settlement periodicity. This arrangement is monitored by the Assistant Central Provident Fund Commissioners (ACCs) of the respective zones to ensure proper implementation and avoid any erroneous payments.
Mandatory Uploading of Cheque Leaf Image
To reduce the number of rejected claims, the EPFO has made it mandatory to upload the image of the certified bank passbook or cheque leaf at the time of online claim filing. This measure will facilitate quicker settlement of online claims and lower the rejection rate due to missing documentation.
New Rule for EPF Death Claims
The EPFO has also introduced new rules for EPF death claims to streamline the process and ensure faster settlements. These changes are part of the broader effort to enhance the overall efficiency and user experience of the EPF claims process.
Software Application Revamp
In addition to these changes, the EPFO is in the process of revamping its software application to incorporate a UAN-based single accounting system for each member. This upgrade, developed in consultation with the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC), aims to automate the process flow with minimal human intervention, further accelerating claim settlements.
These systemic reforms and technological upgrades underscore the EPFO's commitment to providing a more efficient and user-friendly experience for its members, aligning with the broader goals of enhancing 'ease of living' and 'ease of business'.
