Most employees eagerly await the interest credited to their Provident Fund (PF) accounts. The good news is that the government has transferred the interest to your PF account. You can now check your balance easily using four simple methods. Provident Fund serves as a crucial financial tool, particularly for salaried employees, providing a safety net for retirement or emergencies such as building a home, medical treatment, or marriage. Here’s how you can check your PF balance and withdraw funds if necessary.

What is Provident Fund (PF)?

The Provident Fund is a government-regulated long-term savings scheme managed by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO). Both employers and employees contribute a fixed portion of the employee’s salary to this fund, which accumulates into a substantial corpus by the time of retirement.

Four Ways to Check Your PF Balance

1. Check PF Balance via the EPFO Portal

Step 1: Activate Your UAN (Universal Account Number)

• Visit the official EPFO website.
• Under the ‘For Employees’ section, click on ‘Member UAN/Online Service.’
• Select ‘Activate UAN’ and enter your UAN, mobile number, and PF member ID.
• Follow the instructions to activate your UAN.

Step 2: Log In

• Go to the ‘Member UAN/Online Services’ section.
• Log in using your UAN, password, and the captcha code.

Step 3: View Your Balance

• Click on the ‘View’ tab and select ‘Passbook.’
• Your PF passbook will display the account balance and transaction details.

2. Check PF Balance Using the UMANG App

The UMANG app is a government initiative offering various EPFO-related services.

Steps to Check Balance on UMANG App:

• Open the app and search for ‘EPFO’ in the search bar.
• Select EPFO services and choose the ‘View Passbook’ or ‘PF Balance’ option.
• Enter your UAN and submit the details.
• Your PF balance, transaction history, and other details will be displayed.

3. Check Balance via SMS or Missed Call

Using SMS:

• Send a message with the text ‘EPFOHO UAN’ to 7738299899 from your registered mobile number.

Using Missed Call:

• Give a missed call to 011-22901406 from your registered mobile number.

4. Check Balance via EPFO Toll-Free Number

Employees can also contact EPFO’s toll-free helpline number to inquire about their PF balance or any related queries.

Rules for PF Withdrawals

Employees can withdraw their PF balance under specific conditions:

• Upon retirement.
• For purchasing a house, higher education, or medical treatment.
• If unemployed for more than two months.

How to Withdraw PF Funds: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Log in to the EPFO portal.
Step 2: Navigate to the ‘Online Services’ tab and select ‘Claim (Form-31, 19 & 10C)’.
Step 3: Verify your bank account by entering the last 4 digits of the account number.
Step 4: Choose the type of withdrawal and proceed.
Step 5: Complete the required details and upload any necessary documents.
Step 6: Submit the form. The withdrawal amount will be transferred to your bank account within 10–20 days after processing.

By following these simple steps, you can easily access your PF balance and make withdrawals whenever needed. Keep track of your Provident Fund to secure your financial future!