Accessing Provident Fund information is set to become easier for millions of subscribers as the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) introduces WhatsApp-based services. Members can now check their PF balance, view passbook details and track their latest 5 transactions through the messaging platform.
The facility was announced by Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya during EPFO’s 74th Foundation Day celebrations on Sunday. It will also provide personalised guidance to members completing requirements under the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY).
What services will EPFO offer on WhatsApp?
Through EPFO’s verified WhatsApp service, subscribers will be able to:
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Check their Provident Fund (PF) balance.
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Access their PF passbook details.
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View their latest 5 account transactions.
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Receive personalised guidance and assistance for completing PMVBRY-related requirements.
The service will allow members to access routine account information through their mobile phones without visiting an EPFO office.
According to a Labour Ministry statement, the initiative aims to simplify access to EPFO services through digital platforms. The organisation already provides similar facilities through its web portal. The new service is also part of the EPFO 3.0 framework.
EPFO introduces automatic settlement of small inoperative accounts
Alongside the WhatsApp facility, EPFO has introduced automatic settlement of eligible inoperative Employees’ Provident Fund accounts.
Under this initiative, members with Aadhaar-verified inoperative accounts holding balances of up to ₹1,000 will no longer need to submit individual withdrawal claims.
EPFO will automatically begin the settlement process after completing the required identity and bank account verification. The eligible amounts will then be transferred to the rightful beneficiaries.
Around 1 lakh accounts expected to benefit
According to the Labour Ministry, approximately 1 lakh accounts with a combined balance of ₹5 crore are expected to benefit from the automatic settlement initiative.
The move aims to help subscribers recover smaller, unclaimed PF balances more easily by removing the need for individual claims.
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
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