The Employee Provident Fund is a government retirement scheme which is meant for use by employees after they have completed active service or if they fulfil certain conditions. In this initiative, the employer and employee contribute a certain percentage of the salary during active service and the PF subscriber has the option to withdraw the lump-sum amount upon retirement.
However, the member has the option to request for the settlement of the PF amount once they leave active service. They can use Form 19 to withdraw the funds deposited in the PF account during active duty. In this blog, we will take a look at the format of Form 19 along with instructions on how to fill it.
Table of contents
What is Form 19?
The Form 19 is used by the PF member when they wish to withdraw the funds in the PF account with regards to final settlement. This form can also be used for withdrawing EPF-linked benefits and to get a non-refundable advance on PF amount. The withdrawal and settlement of the PF amount can only be done once the member leaves active service. They can get an advance on the PF amount only if they fulfil certain criteria.
What Does a Form 19 Look Like?
The PF Form 19 is spread over two pages and has several sections meant for collecting various personal and contact details of the PF member. Some of the fields included in the form are as follows:
- Member’s name, husband/father’s name, and date of birth.
- Name and address of the organisation.
- EPF account number and/or Universal Account Number.
- Last date of service and reason for leaving.
- Permanent Account Number.
- Full communication address.
- Payment mode.
The second page of the PF settlement form is an advance stamp receipt required to be filled only if the member has chosen a cheque as the mode of payment. Given below is what page 1 of the form looks like:
The image given below shows what the second page of the form looks like.
Points to Remember While Filling Form 19
Given below are some of the points that you should keep in mind while filling form 19 for PF withdrawal:
- The member can only submit this form after two months of leaving their job or retiring from active service.
- They have to provide their registered mobile number to initiate the process of the final settlement.
- This form can be submitted offline as well as online.
- The member has to furnish PAN to claim the final settlement amount.
The offline settlement process can only be completed with the employer’s signature coupled with the official seal of the organisation.
Prerequisites for Filling Form 19 Online
Given below are some of the prerequisites for filling the Form 19 online for PF withdrawal:
- The member is first required to activate the UAN on the EPFO portal.
- The PF subscriber should make sure that their PAN and bank account are linked with the Universal Account Number.
- The registered mobile number should be linked with the UAN.
- If the member is not eligible for final PF settlement, the form will not be displayed in your withdrawal form.
- However, if you are able to view Form 19, you should be able to view Form 10C as well.
How to Fill EPF Form 19 Online?
Given below is the step by step process to fill the EPF form 19 online:
Step 1: Visit the official EPF member website.
Step 2: Login to the portal by entering your UAN, password and verifying the captcha.
Step 3: Click on ‘EPF Claim Form – 31, 19, 10C & 10D’ under the ‘Online Services’ tab.
Step 4: On the next page, you will be able to view a pre-filled form containing your name, father/husband’s name, DOB, contact details, KYC information, and service details.
Step 5: Cross-check your bank account details and key in the last 4 digits of your bank account number. Click on the ‘Verify’ button.
Step 6: Once the details have been successfully verified, enter the date and reason for leaving.
Step 7: Click on ‘Yes’ and sign the ‘Certificate of Undertaking’.
Step 8: Choose the ‘Only PF Withdrawal (Form 19)’ option from the ‘I want to apply for’ drop-down menu.
Step 9: Enter your full correspondence address, verify the disclaimer and click on the ‘Get Aadhaar OTP’ button.
Step 10: This will trigger an OTP being sent to your registered mobile number. Verify the OTP.
Step 11: Submit the application. An application reference number will be generated upon submission.
Step 12: The PF amount will then be deposited in the bank account linked with the UAN.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Long Will it Take to Transfer the PF Balance to My Account After Submitting Form 19?
Once you have successfully submitted form 19, the PF amount should be transferred within 20 days of the submission date.
What if The Amount is Not Credited Within The Specified Time Period?
In case the amount is not credited to the account within the specified period, you should report your concern to the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner. You can also lodge a complaint on the EPF website via the ‘EPFiGMS’ feature.
Do I Need My Employer’s Approval to Withdraw The PF Amount?
No, the employer’s approval is not required if the member’s UAN is active and the KYC process is complete.
Can EPF Amount be Claimed Through Cheque?
Yes, members can claim their EPF amount through a cheque. They will need to mention the PF amount, attach a ₹1 revenue stamp and sign the application form itself.
