Dear Mayank,
I am 42 years old, based in Mumbai.
I left my earlier company in July 2021 after working with them for six years.
They have not released my F&F worth Rs 5 lakhs (including my salary for last two months).
The company has a tradition of holding the money owed to employees who have left and not paying it for at least 2-3 years.
The company is a family run business and is operating profitably.
Mailing them and requesting them to release the money they owe me has not yielded any results.
Please let me know how I can get my F&F.
Thanks,
P

Ans: There are two ways to withdraw PF amount i.e. online and offline.

Through Online Mode:
• First you need to update your mobile no. by the given website after log in with UAN number and password on the EPFO website.
• Under the manage tab>contact details. Update the new mobile no.
• Once mobile number is updated, click on the 'Claim' tab and select 'Online Claim.
• Fill the required details and verify it via OTP.
Your PF withdrawal claim will be processed by the EPFO, and the money will be transferred to your bank account within a few days.

Through Offline Mode:
You can withdraw your PF money offline by submitting a Composite Claim Form at EPFO office with required documents i.e.
• PAN card.
• Aadhaar card or a copy of your passport and visa
• Copy of your bank passbook
• PF account number (UAN)
• A self-attested photocopy of your employment contract or a letter from your employer certifying your employment period
• A self-attested photocopy of your salary slips for the contribution period
• Composite Claim Form
Submit the duly filled Composite Claim Form along with the required documents at the EPFO office. You can track the status of your claim online using your UAN and password.

Ans: It can be tricky to access your PF balance when the company no longer exists. Here are some steps you can take to retrieve your PF balance:

1. Gather Your Documents:

• UAN (Universal Account Number): You can check your UAN on your pay slips from the past employer or by logging in to the EPFO website if you remember your PF account number.
• PF Account Number: If you don't have a UAN, you'll need your PF account number, which was usually mentioned on your salary slips.
• Company Details: Try to gather any information you can about the company you worked for, such as its previous name, acquiring company's name (if known), and the date of acquisition.

2. Withdrawal Process:
Option 1: Online (if you have UAN):
• Log in to the EPFO Member Interface using your UAN and registered mobile number.
• Go to the "Services" tab and select "Claim Settlement."
• Choose the appropriate withdrawal form based on your reason for withdrawal (Form 10C for full withdrawal, etc.).
• Fill in the details for the account you want to withdraw from (specify "previous employer" if you don't see it automatically).
• Enter the company details you have as "Establishment Type" and mention "Closed Establishment" in the remarks section.
• Submit the claim form with all required documents (scanned copies).

Option 2: Offline (if no UAN):
• Download the appropriate withdrawal form for non-UAN members (Composite Claim Form).
• Fill in the form with your details and company information.
• Get the form attested by a bank manager or gazetted officer.
• Submit the completed form with supporting documents to the Regional PF Office having jurisdiction over your previous employer's location.
3. Follow Up:
• Whether you apply online or offline, keep track of your claim status regularly. You can do this through the EPFO website or by contacting the regional PF office.
• If you remember the acquiring company's name, contacting their HR department might also be helpful. They might have records of your previous company's employees and PF accounts.