My father worked in a company till 2007 when EPF balance used to be on papers, not digital. From 2013 to 2019, he worked in a company when EPF was started to be given digitally using a unqiue UAN. We have been able to withdraw the PF balance from 2013 to 2019 digitally by filing the suitable forms. How can we withdraw the amount of earlier period? We have proof of PF balance written on papers which was given by the previous company.
What I understand is, if the money in the EPF account is not withdrawn within 3 years from the date of cessation of employment, the account would be converted into an inoperative account. The amounts lying in inoperative accounts which have remained unclaimed for a period of 7 years will be transferred to the Senior Citizens’ Welfare Fund. After being transferred to this fund, in case the amount still remains unclaimed for 25 years since the date of transfer, the central government will escheat the amount. So in your case, you can still claim the amount, though the procedure might be lengthier. It is best to visit the concerned Regional PF Office where the account is held, meet a few people and find out the exact procedure.
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Contact earlier employer. You dad will have to give a joint declaration along with employer to PF office (which is basically all ID, employment and aadhaar etc). This should trigger digital conversion and UAN seeding for PF account. Once online you can withdraw through normal process.
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