If a family member who was an EPFO member has passed away, the nominee or legal heir is entitled to the full EPF balance and a monthly EPS pension. Here’s exactly what you need to do.
We understand you may be going through a very difficult time. This guide is designed to make the EPFO process as clear as possible. If you need personal guidance at any step, please reach out — I’ll respond with care and urgency.
Many families only claim the EPF balance and miss out on the EPS monthly pension. Both are separate claims with separate forms.
| Benefit | Form | What you get | Who gets it |
|---|---|---|---|
| EPF Withdrawal | Form 20 | Full PF balance (employee + employer contributions + interest) | Registered nominee or legal heir |
| EPS Monthly Pension | Form 10D | Monthly pension for life (spouse) or till age 25 (children) | Spouse or dependent children |
| EPS Withdrawal Benefit | Form 10C | Lump sum (if eligible — less than 10 yrs of EPS service) | Nominee / legal heir |
Gather all of these before contacting the employer or EPFO. Missing one document is the most common cause of delay.
Original + attested photocopy. Municipal Corporation issued certificate required.
Clear, unlaminated copy. Both sides if applicable.
Required for tax-deduction calculation and verification.
Account in nominee’s name. Should show IFSC, account number, name.
Check last employer’s salary slip or EPF passbook for UAN.
Signed by nominee and attested by last employer. I can help fill these correctly.
Required only if no nominee was registered. Issued by local court or SDM.
2 passport-size photos needed for Form 10D (EPS pension claim).
The journey from first call to pension activation — with the escalation route if EPFO delays.
Contact HR of the company where the deceased member last worked. They need to verify employment records and attest Form 20. If the company is closed or unresponsive, EPFO has an alternate process — contact me.
Form 20 is for EPF lump-sum withdrawal. Form 10D is for monthly EPS pension. Both need careful filling — errors in nominee’s bank details or Aadhaar number are the most common causes of delay. I can review your filled forms before submission.
The employer submits the attested forms + documents to the regional EPFO office. Ensure you get a submission receipt or acknowledgment. Processing typically takes 15–30 days from submission.
EPF balance is credited to the nominee’s bank account. EPS monthly pension is activated from the following month. You’ll receive confirmation via the registered mobile number and bank statement.
If 30 days pass without resolution, file a grievance on epfigms.gov.in. Quote the submission date, employer name, and member UAN. Death claims typically get priority attention on EPFiGMS.
Safety note: NidhiSetu uses official EPFO routes only. Do not share your UAN password, Aadhaar OTP, bank OTP, ATM PIN, or net-banking login with any consultant. You can mask sensitive details before sending screenshots for review.
This is one of the most emotionally difficult things to navigate. Let me help — step by step, with care, and through the right official EPFO channel for your situation.