UAN activation to PF withdrawal: 8 things employees can do on the new EPFO portal (epfo.gov.in)

The portal now allows subscribers to undertake various activities, such as activate Universal Account Number (UAN), file claims, update KYC details, view passbook, and manage nominations, among other functions.

Here are eight services employees can complete quickly on the portal.

The new EPFO portal homepage carries a direct link to activate the UAN, which is a prerequisite to accessing all EPF services online. The portal states: "Activate your UAN to access EPF services online".

According to an EPFO circular on UAN activation, the process can be completed using an Aadhaar-based OTP. The member needs to enter their UAN, Aadhaar number, name, date of birth, and Aadhaar-linked mobile number, agree to Aadhaar OTP verification, click "Get Authorization PIN" to receive an OTP, and enter it to complete activation. A password is then sent to the registered mobile number. The portal also notes that "UAN activation for existing UANs and generation of new UANs can be done through the UMANG app".

If an employee does not know their UAN, the portal offers link to "Know Your UAN" service. This option allows you to retrieve your Universal Account Number using basic details. This removes the need to approach a previous employer or the EPFO field office. The portal also offers "Direct UAN Allotment" for individuals to "self-generate your UAN without employer request" and a separate option to "generate UAN for members with an active PF account".

Once the UAN is activated, members can file three types of claims directly from the member interface without employer attestation: Form 19 for PF final settlement, Form 10-C for pension withdrawal benefit, and Form 31 for PF part withdrawal, also known as advance.

The EPFO's FAQ document states: "Member can apply for a. PF Final Settlement (Form19), b. Pension Withdrawal Benefit (Form10-C) and c. PF Part Withdrawal (Form31) from the Member Interface directly".

For Form 19, the member's date of joining and date of exit must be available in the EPFO database, the member should not be working in any PF-coverable establishment, and the claim should be submitted not before two months after leaving.

For Form 31, only the date of joining needs to be in the database, and no supporting document is required. "Member is not required to give any supporting document while preferring online PF Part Withdrawal case. Member's act of preferring the advance claim online will be taken as his self-declaration," the FAQ states . Claims are authenticated using an OTP sent to the member's UIDAI-registered mobile number.

The EPFO passbook portal allows members to view and download their complete passbook online. Members can also check their balance by giving a missed call to 9966044425 or by sending an SMS "EPFOHO UAN" to 7738299899.

The passbook portal also carries an important notice that EPFO "has successfully completed a major database consolidation and software upgrade to enhance service delivery and member experience" and that "claims and service requests will be processed in a phased and calibrated manner with additional verification and validation checks to ensure the accuracy during the initial period of 2 weeks".

The portal makes e-nomination mandatory. It states: "Filing of nominations by members is mandatory as per EPF Scheme, 2026. E-Nominations can be filed and updated during service period". This ensures that in the event of a member's death, the family or nominee can claim PF, pension, and insurance benefits without legal complications.

The new portal offers a link for KYC update, saying: "Update your KYC details online such as Aadhaar, PAN & Bank details." Keeping your KYC updated is important for hassle-free withdrawals in the future.

When switching employers, members can transfer their PF balance online using the member interface. The EPFO transfer portal allows a member to "submit claim requests or transfer your EPF account online".

The portal includes a dedicated facility for nominees. Two options are listed: "Death Claim filing by Nominee (Claims)" and "Death Claim filing by Nominee (Pension) - Pension Claim filing by Family or Nominee in case of member's demise". This allows family members or nominees to file claims directly without visiting an EPFO office, provided the nomination was filed and the member's KYC was completed.

For most of these services, the prerequisites are the same: an activated UAN, Aadhaar seeded in the EPFO database, a bank account with IFSC code seeded in the database, and a PAN seeded for PF final settlement claims where service is less than five years. The member's mobile number must be linked to Aadhaar to receive OTPs for authentication.