EPFO: Want money via Covid-19 advance? File Online or via UMANG App- Steps explained

Members of the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) can file Covid-19 Advance online or through UMANG App. Check the step-by-step guide here.

File for EPFO Covid-19 Advance online or via UMANG App. Know how. (Pixabay)

With the Covid-19 cases surging again in the country, people need to have some finance available at all times to tackle any emergency situation that may arise. After the outbreak of Coronavirus pandemic, the central government had said that the members of Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) can claim Covid-19 advance online. EPFO further informed that people can file for Covid-19 advance through UMANG App or by visiting the official website of EPFO.

But before we discuss the steps to do so, it should be known that, according to EPFO, members of the EPF scheme can get non-refundable withdrawal to the extent of the basic wages and dearness allowances for three months or up to 75 percent of the amount standing to their credit in the EPF account, whichever is less. The amount standing to credit in EPF includes employee's share, employer's share and interest thereupon.

You can claim for Covid-19 advance if your UAN is validated with Aadhaar and KYC of Bank account and Mobile number is seeded in UAN. No certificate or documents are to be submitted by the member or his/her employer for availing the benefit. Also, it can be noted that since withdrawal is non-refundable, there is no requirement to refund the amount.

How to file Covid-19 Advance via EPFO official website

1. Login to Member Interface of Unified Portal (https://unifiedportalmem.epfindia.gov.in/memberinterface).

2. Go to Online Services and then click on Claim (Form-31,19,10C & 10D).

3. Enter last 4 digits of your Bank Account and verify.

4. Click on “Proceed for Online Claim”.

5. Select PF Advance (Form 31) from the drop down.

6. Select purpose as “Outbreak of pandemic (COVID-19)” from the drop down.

7. Enter amount required and Upload scanned copy of cheque and enter your address.

8. Click on “Get Aadhaar OTP”

9. Enter the OTP received on Aadhaar linked mobile.

10. Claim is submitted.

How to file Covid-19 Advance via UMANG app

Time	Tools	Supplies
20 Minutes	Smartphone Laptop Desktop	Updated Browser Internet

Step 1: Open UMANG App on your smartphone and click on EPFO. However, if you do not have UMANG App, you need to install it first from Google Play Store or App Store.

Step 2: You will then have to select 'Request for Advance (Covid-19)'.

Step 3: After this, provide or enter your UAN and click on 'Get OTP'.

Step 4: Then submit the OTP and click on 'Login'.

Step 5: After you successfully log in, you will have to enter your Bank Account Number and select 'Member ID' from the drop down menu and click on 'Proceed for claim'.

Step 6: Enter address and click on 'Next'.

Step 7: Choose 'Form 31' from the drop down menu and fill 'Amount of Advance Required' and upload 'Cheque Image'. You need to note and check details like name, bank account number and IFSC should be clearly visible and Image should be jpg or pdf, size up to 100kb.

Step 8: Check on the Declaration box and 'Submit OTP'. After receiving 'Aadhaar OTP', finally click on the 'Submit' button.

Step 9: After completing all the above mentioned steps your Covid-19 Withdrawal Form will be successfully submitted.