EPF Form 31: The Ultimate Guide for Partial Withdrawal

EPF Form 31 is essential for those looking to make a partial withdrawal from their Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF). This government-supported savings platform helps salaried people secure their financial future post-retirement. Understanding how to use EPF Form 31 is key for individuals facing financial emergencies. Here's a detailed look into when and how to withdraw EPF funds, reasons behind such withdrawals, and a step-by-step guide on completing and submitting the form.

Eligibility Criteria for EPF Withdrawal:

EPF withdrawals can be partial or complete based on specific criteria:

• Retirement: Upon retirement from service.
• Unemployment: After more than 2 months without a job (verified by a gazetted officer).
• Partial Withdrawal: EPF Form 31 allows partial withdrawal under various conditions detailed below.

Conditions for Partial Withdrawal Using EPF Form 31:

• Education: Up to 50% of EPF. 7 years of service. For personal or children's education beyond Class 10.
• Marriage: Up to 50% of EPF. 7 years of service. For marriage of self, siblings, or children.
• Land Purchase/Construction:
  • Land: Up to 24 times monthly salary.
  • House: Up to 36 times monthly salary.
  • 5 years of service. Must be registered in the name of the individual, spouse, or jointly.
• Home Renovation: Up to 12 times monthly salary. 5 years of service. Ownership in employee or spouse's name.
• Home Loan Repayment:
  • Up to 90% from both employee and employer's contributions.
  • 1 year of service. Must show loan repayment proof. Amount above Rs. 20,000.
  • Property should be registered solely or jointly with the spouse.
• Pre-Retirement:
  • Up to 90% of corpus with interest.
  • Allowed after 57 years for financial needs.

How to Access EPF Form 31:

1. Log in to the EPFO Member Portal: Use your UAN and password.
2. Choose 'Online Services': Select 'Claim' from the menu.
3. Make an Online Claim: Confirm details and choose 'PF Advance (Form 31)'.
4. Enter Details: Mention withdrawal purpose, amount, and address.
5. Authenticate with Aadhaar OTP: Enter OTP to validate and submit.

Procedures for Submitting EPF Form 31:

Offline Submission:

• Download from the EPFO site.
• Complete and submit the form at your local EPFO office with employer attestation.

Online Submission:

1. Log into the UAN portal.
2. Verify and update KYC details.
3. Select 'Claim Form 31' from 'Online Services'.
4. Fill details, verify, and accept the undertaking certificate.
5. Submit withdrawal application with required info.
6. Submit form online and watch for employer approval and fund transfer.

Note: After submission, await employer approval and fund transfer. Track EPF Form 31 claim status via the EPFO official portal.

Utilize the outlined information to adeptly handle EPF Form 31 for a stress-free withdrawal process.

Disclaimer: Procedures may vary over time. Please verify details with official resources for the most current information.

*Abbreviations: [Folio No.] Folio Number, [PAN] Permanent Account Number, [KYC] Know Your Customer, [SFB] Small Finance Bank, [NGO] Non-Governmental Organization, [KEGF] Kerala Evangelical Graduates Fellowship, [MED] Micro Enterprises Development