The Provident Fund is a government-managed retirement savings plan. It is intended for employees who contribute a portion of their monthly savings to this plan. Every month, the employer and the employee contribute equally to an employee’s EPF account.
This is a fixed savings scheme issued by the Government of India to enable employees to save for retirement. These monthly savings accumulate to a large corpus over time and can be a significant retirement benefit. It also serves as an emergency fund if money is required for medical expenses, weddings, or mortgage payments.
- What is the Provident Fund (PF) Joint Declaration Form?
- Format of the Joint Declaration Form
- How Can the Joint Declaration Form Be Downloaded?
- Documents Required With the Joint Declaration Form
- Why Does One Need to Fill Out the Joint Declaration Form?
- How To Check the Status of the PF Joint Declaration Form?
- Can the PF Joint Declaration Form Be Submitted Without the Employer?
- FAQs on PF Joint Declaration Form
What is the Provident Fund (PF) Joint Declaration Form?
It is a combined form that both the employee and the employer must sign and submit to the regional PF office to correct any errors in the employees’ PF accounts. Errors in the PF account must be corrected because mistakes in the name or an incorrect date of birth can cause problems during PF withdrawal.
As all EPF claims, transfers, and refunds are completed online, an EPF member’s information on the PF portal should be accurate. Keep the PF account up to date with the most recent information to avoid discrepancies during the withdrawal process. In the event of an error, the EPF member should immediately contact their employer or the relevant EPF office to correct it. The Aadhaar number can only be linked with accurate data.
Format of the Joint Declaration Form
Here is the format that needs to be adhered to when requesting any changes in EPF details using the Joint Declaration Form. You must address the letter to the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner of the particular area.
Requirements for EPF Joint Declaration Form Submission
Employees must physically submit the joint declaration form to the regional PF office where the company or establishment is registered. Employees should fill out the joint declaration form with the following information:
- Form submission date
- Address of the Regional PF Commissioner
- Name and business name
- Particulars in the PF member account that need to be corrected or updated
- Wrong particulars, that is, particulars that have been entered incorrectly into the PF member account
- Signature of the applicant, the name of the company authorized signatory, and the signature of the establishment with its seal.
- After filling out the form with the above information, employees should attach self-attested identity proof documents to support the correction claim and submit it.
How Can the Joint Declaration Form Be Downloaded?
The Employees Provident Fund website has a direct download link for the Joint Declaration Form. The EPF joint declaration can be viewed or downloaded. The form can be obtained from EPFO’s official website or downloaded in PDF format.
Documents Required With the Joint Declaration Form
Below are the documents you will need with the PF joint declaration form.
- PAN Card
- AADHAR Card
- Voters ID Card
- Driving Licence
- Passport
- Electricity or water bill
- Ration card
- Copy of bank passbook
- Education Certificate
Why Does One Need to Fill Out the Joint Declaration Form?
A withdrawal claim is frequently only allowed if the applicant’s Provident Fund account reflects the correct information. Errors that include a typo in your PF account’s name or an incorrect date of birth may appear minor, but they can cause trouble when it is time to withdraw.
The information in your PF account must be correct. There are two ways to correct the incorrect information on your PF account. Basic details can be updated directly through the UAN portal, but some changes require completing a joint declaration form.
You can make these changes using the Joint Declaration Form.
- Name of Employee
- Date of Birth
- PF/ EPS Number
- Date of Joining the Company
- Reason for Leaving the Company
- Date of Leaving the Company
- Name of the Father/ Husband
It is necessary to ensure that all changes are made accurately and timely to avoid complications. You must seek the assistance of authorized personnel to complete the Joint Declaration Form. All necessary changes must be made correctly to ensure no discrepancies later. As a result, it is advised to double-check and verify all changes before implementing them. This will save effort, time, and resources in the long run.
How To Check the Status of the PF Joint Declaration Form?
To check if your personal details have been changed, follow these steps:
- Step 1: Open your browser and search for EPFO’s official website, or click here.
- Step 2: Once the website is open, type in your UAN number and Password in the provided section and sign in.
- Step 3: Once you are signed in, you will be able to see your “Member Profile” and “Profile Information”. Click on it.
- Step 4: Those tabs will expand, and you can see if your information has been modified.
- Step 5: If you click on “More Information”, you can see when your information was last updated.
Can the PF Joint Declaration Form Be Submitted Without the Employer?
A joint declaration form is signed by both the employee and employer, and it is used to rectify or update an employee’s PF account details. These details could be the name of the employee, their date of birth, and so on. Since this step requires the involvement of both parties, it is not possible to submit the PF joint declaration form without the approval of the employer. The employer is typically required to verify the information that needs to be corrected; hence, it is essential to get the sign of the employer.
If the employer refuses or is unwilling to sign the PF joint declaration form, one can register a complaint against their employer in the EPF grievance portal.
FAQs on PF Joint Declaration Form
The following FAQs will enable you to learn more about the PF joint declaration form.
When can the Provident Fund be withdrawn?
Only after the employee has retired can the Provident Fund be withdrawn in its entirety. However, partial withdrawals, such as those for medical emergencies or educational expenses, may be permitted in some circumstances. Specific rules and regulations must be confirmed with the Provident Fund administrator.
How can one check if changes have been made to the Joint Declaration Form?
EPF Members can check the status of their form through their online Passbook or their UAN member Portal Profile.
What should one do if the details are not updated on the EPF profile?
If you do not update the details on the EPF profile within 30 days of submitting the joint declaration form, you can submit a grievance at the PF portal. Sometimes this may not be updated because of a lack of supporting documents. Once the reason is known, you can make the necessary changes.
What is UAN?
A Universal Account Number is a unique identification number given by the Ministry of Labor, Government of India. This number is meant for employees registered for the provident fund scheme. The UAN can be generated by the employee through the UAN portal or by the employer through the EPFO portal.
What issues can be caused by errors in the EPF details?
Any errors in the information can cause significant problems when requesting a withdrawal. Any claim will be denied if the details do not match the supporting documents. As a result, you must correct any errors in the information you provide.
The Government of India’s Provident Fund Scheme provides retirement benefits to people who contribute to the scheme regularly. The employee and the employer contribute the same amount to the scheme for the employee’s benefit. It is a significantly beneficial scheme because it allows the employee to save a large sum of money that will come in handy when they retire.
This money is available for withdrawal after retirement. Furthermore, some employers offer matching contributions to their employees’ retirement accounts, which can help them save. Employees can use it to secure their financial future and ensure a comfortable retirement.
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