Provident Fund is one of the safest investments for every salaried person. The Employee Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is processing the COVID-19 claims on a priority basis. It is generally settled in three days as per an EPFO statement.
You can file the claim online if your Universal Account Number (UAN) is linked with Aadhaar and the KYC of your bank account and your mobile number. If it is not, you can do so online.
You can file the claim using the following steps.
1) Login to your UAN account by going to https://www.unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in/
2) Go to Online Services and then Claim
3) Enter the last four digits of your bank account and verify
4) Click on Proceed for Online Claim
5) Select PF Advance (Form 31) from the drop-down menu
6) Select purpose as Outbreak of pandemic (COVID-19) from the drop-down menu
7) Enter the required amount and upload the scanned copy of the cheque and enter your address
8) Click on Get Adhaar OTP
9) Enter the OTP received on Aadhaar-linked mobile number
10) Claim is submitted
Having two different UAN numbers will make it difficult for the PF account holder to see the details of account as the old fund gets frozen. Those who have two UANs can't even transfer their old PF balance to their new account. Hence, it is necessary that both UANs be merged.
It is easy to merge both UAN numbers by exercising either of the two options: Sending an e-mail at EPFO office by updating them about their UAN via mail at uanepf@epfindia.gov.in. Here we have to match the old and new UAN number.
