Kerala Family Sues EPFO for Delayed Savings Release Until Death

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) approved the payment just after his suicide. Strikingly, no additional documents were request, not even the death certificate, exposing the irony in the situation.

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The EPFO has settled the outstanding dues for Sivaraman’s family. Surprisingly, the payment was processe without the need for additional documents, except for a letter confirming Sivaraman’s wife as the legal nominee. This letter was submit to the PF office posthumously, after his demise. Despite lacking the financial means to challenge the system, the family remains resolute in seeking justice for Sivaraman. They are determine to prevent a recurrence of such injustice for others, firmly resolve that no one else should experience a fate similar to their father’s.

EPFO Accused of Callous Delay in Releasing Deceased Member’s PF, Family Vows Legal Action

Pradheesh, a 39-year-old daily wager, mourns the loss of his father and expresses determination to pursue legal action against the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). According to Pradheesh, the EPFO could have released the money earlier, but they chose to wait until his father’s death to return his life’s savings promptly. EPFO rules require the submission of Form 20 for PF withdrawal of deceased members, including documents such as a death certificate, guardianship certificate (if applicable), and a copy of a blank/cancelled cheque for payment processing. The family contends that the delayed release highlights a distressing insensitivity in the system.

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EPFO Withholds Retiree’s Dues Over Document Mismatch, Ignites Tragic Outcome

Sivaraman, a Thrissur native and retired Apollo Tyres employee, spent the nine years following his retirement making regular visits to the EPFO office. However, the EPFO withheld over Rs 90,000 in dues, citing a discrepancy in his identification documents. Officials demanded his school leaving certificate, a document he couldn’t produce, resulting in the denial of his PF amount. This prolonged struggle tragically culminated in Sivaraman’s untimely death at the EPFO office.

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EPFO Rejection Rates Skyrocket Over Five Years

Data analyzed and reported reveal a concerning trend in EPF final settlement rejections. The rejection rates have soared from approximately 13% in 2017-18 to nearly 34% in 2022-23. This means that more than one in three claims for the final settlement of provident fund amounts made by members are now being turned down by the EPFO. Notably, among the three PF claim categories – final settlement, transfer, and withdrawal – the rejection rate for final settlement claims has experienced a significant and troubling increase over the last five years.

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