Users hit by EPFO portal login glitch, nomination deadline removed

Employees' Provident Fund Organisation's portal has been facing technical issues due to a massive jump in number of visitors. As the EPFO has mandated the e-nomination registration process, the number of visitors has increased in January. EPFO portal login problems, inability to complete the e-sign process and various other server issues have been reported over the last month.

EPFO portal users have taken to social media platforms to report the e-nomination issues. EPF account holders have shared that despite trying for over two months now, they couldn’t complete the-nomination due to the server glitch. Some users even complained of being unable to access their passbook details even as officials had indicated that the passbook of EPF accounts seeded with Aadhaar are easily accessible.

A user wrote, “I have tried multiple times for e nomination since 2 months. Every time it displays an error like an error occurred. I don't know why the epfo team is not taking care of epfo sites.” Another user tweeted, “Not able to update the E-nomination. Always getting errors or network issues.

It's been a year and I haven't taken my PF money yet. Always rejecting for multiple reasons even if there is valid proof. It's painful.”

The Indian Express has quoted EPFO officials as saying that the EPFO has been pursuing the EPF members through a campaign to file e-nominations and hence, lakhs of EPF members have been visiting the Portal daily to complete e-nomination filing which at times may have increased the waiting period for users. The e-nomination will help the family / nominee particulars available with EPFO in hassle free final settlement of dues to family/nominee.

https://indianexpress.com/article/business/banking-and-finance/portal-issues-e-nomination-epfo-high-user-visits-7737329/

When the members login to avail EPFO services like viewing e-passbook or filing claims, they are prompted to file e-nomination. According to EPFO, Nearly 12 lakh e-nominations have been filed by EPF members and overall 53.56 lakh members have filed e-nominations since January 1.

The EPFO e-nomination registration is mandatory for users to complete the settlement of claims, and for dependents to claim funds of the account holder in case of the latter’s death. Many subscribers try to settle claims amid the ongoing pandemic. Earlier, the e-nomination facility was scheduled to be closed on December 31, however, it has been removed keeping in view the portal’s issues. The EPFO tweeted on December 29, “Nomination helps nominees to access social security benefits (PF, Pension, EDLI) online. Speedy pension claim settlement for members. No deadline has been fixed for filing e-nomination as of now.”