The EPFO has recently issued a circular for “Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)” for freezing and de-freezing of provident fund (PF) accounts”.
The SOPs can provide for a time-bound methodology for freezing MIDs/UANs/Establishments on account of verification requirement, as a measure of due diligence to secure the funds in these MIDs/UANs/Establishments and the subsequent de-freezing, wherever required, on completion of verification of genuineness.
Normally, the duration of the freeze should not exceed 30 days from the date of freezing, except in cases where there is a confirmation of fraud.
Upon receipt of the information of the freezing, if the member or employer files a grievance in the EPFiGMS Portal, then in that case the duration shall be as below:-
| Category | MID | UAN | Establishment |
| A | 15 days within receipt of request in the form of an EPFiGMS grievance from the member or survivors of the deceased member | 15 days within receipt of request in the form of an EPFiGMS grievance from the member or survivors of the deceased member | 30 days within receipt of request in the form of an EPFiGMS grievance from the employer |
| B | 15 days within receipt of request in the form of an EPFiGMS grievance from the member or survivors of the deceased member | 15 days within receipt of request in the form of an EPFiGMS grievance from the member or survivors of the deceased member | 30 days within receipt of request in the form of an EPFiGMS grievance from the employer |
| C | 15 days within receipt of request in the form of an EPFiGMS grievance from the member or survivors of the deceased member | 15 days within receipt of request in the form of an EPFiGMS grievance from the member or survivors of the deceased member | 30 days within receipt of request in the form of an EPFiGMS grievance from the employer |
Extension of the freeze duration:-In case the verification of disabled MID/UAN/Establishment is not completed within the above prescribed time frame, an extension can be considered in the following manner: –
a. An extension of not more than 14 days by the RFRMC after duly discussing & recording the circumstances that justify such an extension in a RFRMC Meeting.
b. If there is a requirement for more time, the RFRMC shall recommend to that effect to the ZFRMC after duly discussing & recording the circumstances that justify a second extension in the ZFRMC Meeting and order for such extension of not more than 14 days.
c. Any further extensions will be only after the approval of FA & CAO.
To know more and view the detailed document issued by EPFO click here.
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