The Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has achieved a significant breakthrough in claim settlements, introducing advanced automation and streamlining procedures to enhance user experience. A key milestone has been the auto-processing of claims for advances such as illness, housing, education, and marriage, with the amount limit raised to $1,200. Remarkably, 60% of such claims are now processed automatically within three days. EPFO reached an all-time high with 21.6 million auto-processed claims in the current fiscal year, marking a substantial increase from 8.9 million the previous year.
In a move to empower members, the organization simplified the member detail correction process, allowing those with Aadhaar-verified accounts to make adjustments independently. Currently, 96% of corrections are completed without intervention from EPFO offices. Additionally, over 99.31% of claims now operate exclusively online, eliminating the need for physical visits. More than 71.4 million claims have already been filed online this fiscal year.
Further changes have streamlined transfer claims, removing the need for employer attestation for Aadhaar-verified accounts. Only 10% of transfer claims now require joint authentication by members and employers. Moreover, the submission of a check-leaf with the claim form has been waived for those compliant with Know Your Customer (KYC) standards.
EPFO has introduced a de-linking facility to address cases of erroneous account linkages. Since its launch in January, more than 55,000 members have successfully de-linked their accounts. To ensure members file eligible claims, the organization has implemented upfront validation tools that guide users on claim admissibility.
The claim settlement system is poised for further improvement through the Centralized IT Enabled System (CITES 2.01), which consolidates member databases for enhanced processing efficiency. This centralized approach promises to advance EPFO’s mission of providing seamless and effective services to millions of members nationwide.
