Form 31 PF Claim Eligibility Criteria for Advance to be claimed through Form 31: There are different options under Para 68B to avail EPFO FORM 31 Advance during their working tenure. Any EPFO member can apply for PF Advance through EPFO unified member portal. There are different options to choose from while applying for advance forms explained as below.
1. Purchase of house/flat/construction of house including the acquisition of the site
or
2. Purchase of site for construction of dwelling house/purchase of house/flat
or
3. Construction of house on a site owned by member/spouse/jointly by member & spouse
The Central Government, the State Government, a Cooperative Society, an Institution, a Trust, a local body, OR a Housing Finance Corporation can provide EPF Advance ( Agency). The relevant Para of EPF Scheme 1952 is 68B (1)(a).

Amount That can be claimed through this option:
Document required with Form 31 Declaration Form from Member. For purchase of site: 24 month’s basic wages and DA/for purchase of house/flat/construction: 36 month’s basic wages and DA OR Total of employee and employer share with interest OR Total cost Whichever is least.
Membership/ period required: 5 (FIVE YEARS of Service is required to avail this facility)
For the construction of the house: One or more installments. Members can apply for this only once.
2. For addition/alteration/improvement in a house owned by member/spouse/jointly with a spouse | Form 31 PF Claim Eligibility Criteria
Document required with Form 31 Declaration Form from Member.
Membership/ period required: 5 (FIVE YEARS of Service is required to avail this facility)
Amount Admissible/ from share: 12 month’s basic wages and DA OR Employee Share with interest OR Cost
Whichever is least.
Members can apply for this only once.
Para 68H: Grant of Advances in special cases |
2. In case of lockout/closure of establishment for more than 15 days, And The employees are rendered unemployed without compensation OR The employee has not received wages for more than 2 months continuously (for reasons other than a strike)
Document required with Form 31 Declaration Form from Member.
Amount Admissible/ from share: Employee share with interest.
Additional Documents Required: Certificate from the Employer in Certificate Form A and B, as applicable.
Members can apply for this once or more during his/her service tenure.
Para 68BB: Withdrawal form for repayment of loans in special cases
Purpose of the withdrawal: For refund of outstanding principal and interest of a loan for purposes under Para 68B.
The Central Government, the State Government, a Cooperative Society, an Institution, a Trust, a local body, OR a Housing Finance Corporation can provide EPF Advance ( Agency). The relevant Para of EPF Scheme 1952 is 68B (1)(a).
Membership/ period required: 10 (TEN YEARS of Service is required to avail this facility)
Amount Admissible/ from share: 36 month’s basic wages and DA OR Total of employee and employer share with interest OR Total outstanding principal and interest whichever is least.
3. Discharge/dismissal/retrenchment of member challenged by him/her in Court
Amount Admissible/ from share: Maximum 50% of Employee share with interest
Additional Documents Required: Copy of petition filed in the Court and certificate from the member that the case is pending.
Members can apply for this once or more during his/her service tenure.
4. In case of establishment’s closure for more than 6 months and employees continue to be unemployed without compensation | Form 31 PF Claim Eligibility Criteria
Amount Admissible/ from share: Up to 100% of Employer Share with interest.
Membership/ period required:1 or more Recoverable advance, In case of closure, is for above 5 years the recoverable advance converted to nonrecoverable on member’s request.
Additional Documents Required: Certificate from the Employer in Certificate Form A and B, as applicable.
Members can apply for this once or more during his/her service tenure.
Para 68J: Advance from the fund for illness in certain cases.
5. For his/her own treatment OR For treatment of family
Amount Admissible/ from share: 6 month’s basic wages and DA OR Employee Share with interest Whichever is least.
Amount Admissible/ from share: Certificate C signed by Employer and Doctor.
Members can apply for this once or more during his/her service tenure.
Para 68K: Advance from the fund for marriages or post matriculation education of children.
6. For the marriage of self/daughter/son/brother/sister
OR
For post matriculation education of son/daughter
OR
For post matriculation education of son/daughter
Membership/ period required: 7 (SEVEN YEARS of Service is required to avail this facility)
Amount Admissible/ from share: 50% of Employee share with interest
Members can apply for this only Three times during his/her service tenure.
Additional Documents Required: A certificate regarding course of study and estimated expenditure from Head Of Institution and Members declaration in Form 31.
Para 68 N: Grant of advance to members who are physically handicapped
Purpose of the withdrawal: For purchasing equipment for minimizing hardship on account of handicap.
Amount Admissible/ from share: 6 month’s basic wages and DA OR Employee Share with interest OR Cost of equipment whichever is least
Members can apply for this only for the Second advance after 3 years from first
Additional Documents Required: Certificate in Certificate F from Doctor.
Para 68NN: Withdrawal within one year before retirement.
Purpose of the withdrawal: Partial withdrawal before retirement
Membership/ period required: After 54 years of age and within one year of retirement/ superannuation, whichever is later.
Amount Admissible/ from share: 90% of the amount in PF of the member.
Additional Documents Required: Nothing.
There is also provision for advances for Form 31 PF Claim Eligibility Criteria
1. Advance in abnormal conditions (damage of property due to natural calamity) (Para 68L)
2. Advance to member affected by the cut in electricity (max 300/-) (Para 68M)
3. Advance for investment in Varistha Pension Bima Yojana. (Para 68NNN)
Form 31 PF Claim Eligibility Criteria for Advance to be Claimed through Form 31: A Complete Guide
The Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) is a vital social security scheme in India, designed to provide financial stability to employees after retirement. However, the scheme also allows employees to access their EPF balance before retirement under certain conditions. The process of claiming an advance from the EPF is straightforward and can be done using Form 31.
Form 31 of the EPF is used to claim advances from the provident fund in case of specific needs, such as medical emergencies, education, home loans, etc. This post will explain the eligibility criteria for claiming an advance through Form 31, the reasons for which an advance can be claimed, and the detailed process of submitting a claim using the form.
What is Form 31? Form 31 PF Claim Eligibility
Form 31 is a crucial document used for withdrawing or advancing a part of your EPF balance before retirement. This form is used when you need an EPF advance for various reasons, such as medical treatment, marriage, purchasing or constructing a house, etc. It is important to understand that Form 31 is not for full withdrawals but for partial advances.
The advance can only be claimed for certain valid reasons, and the claim will be processed based on specific eligibility criteria. It is essential to be aware of the eligibility conditions and process involved to ensure a smooth and successful claim.
Eligibility Criteria for Claiming Advance through Form 31
Before submitting Form 31 to claim an advance from your EPF, it is important to meet the eligibility criteria. The eligibility conditions are based on the purpose for which the advance is being claimed.
Here are the main eligibility criteria for claiming an EPF advance:
1. Minimum Service Period for Advance Claims
The EPF rules specify that you must have completed a minimum number of years in service to be eligible to claim an advance. However, the requirement of the minimum period varies depending on the nature of the advance.
- For non-refundable advances, such as medical expenses or for a house purchase, there is generally no minimum service period required. You can avail of the advance as soon as you have contributed to the EPF fund for a few months.
- For specific purposes like home loans or marriage: The minimum service required can vary. For example, when claiming advances for home loans, the employee should have completed at least 5 years of continuous service.
2. Reason for Claiming the Advance
The EPF allows employees to claim an advance for specific reasons, provided they meet the following criteria:
- Medical Emergencies: Employees can withdraw funds from their EPF account in case of medical emergencies. There is no minimum service period required for medical advances. However, it must be supported by medical documentation, such as hospital bills, a doctor’s certificate, etc.
- Marriage: An employee can claim an advance for their own or their children’s marriage. The employee must have completed 7 years of service to be eligible for this advance.
- Housing: Employees can avail of an EPF advance for the purchase, construction, or renovation of a house. The employee must have 5 years of service to be eligible for this advance. Additionally, the employee can use the funds for paying off the loan if they have taken a home loan.
- Education: An EPF advance can be claimed for the education of the employee or their children. Again, there is a minimum service period of 7 years for this advance.
- Repayment of Loan: Employees can use the EPF advance to pay off loans. The employee must have at least 3 years of service to claim this advance.
- Unforeseen Financial Hardships: In situations where an employee faces an unforeseen financial crisis, they can apply for an advance, even if they have been employed for a shorter period. Such claims are typically subject to specific conditions based on the employer’s discretion and the reason for the hardship.
3. The Amount of EPF Advance You Can Claim : Form 31 PF Claim Eligibility
The amount of the EPF advance is determined based on the purpose of the claim:
- For medical emergencies: Employees can claim up to 6 months’ basic salary or the entire amount in the account, whichever is lower.
- For home construction or purchase: Employees can withdraw up to 36 months’ salary for purchasing a house or constructing a new one.
- For marriage or education: Employees can withdraw up to 50% of the accumulated EPF balance after 7 years of service.
- For loan repayment: Employees can claim up to 36 months’ salary if they need to repay the loan.
It’s important to note that employees can only claim advances from their employee share and the employer’s share in specific cases.
Documents Required for Claiming Advance through Form 31
When applying for an advance from the EPF account using Form 31, employees need to submit supporting documents depending on the reason for the advance. Below are the common documents required for different claims:
- Medical Treatment:
- Medical certificate from the hospital or doctor
- Hospital bills
- Doctor’s recommendation or prescriptions
- Marriage:
- Proof of marriage (e.g., marriage invitation card or marriage certificate)
- Documents related to the employee’s service history
- Home Loan:
- Proof of property ownership or agreement
- Bank loan statement or loan repayment receipt
- Proof of land or house in the employee’s name
- Education:
- Admission letter from the educational institution
- Proof of the course and related fee structure
- Loan Repayment:
- Loan account details
- Repayment proof or loan repayment agreement
These documents help EPFO validate the reason for the advance claim and process the application faster.
How to File a Claim Using Form 31
Here is the step-by-step process for submitting a claim through Form 31:
Step 1: Check Eligibility
Before filling the form, ensure you meet the eligibility criteria based on the type of advance you are claiming (e.g., medical expenses, home loan, etc.).
Step 2: Download Form 31
Form 31 is available on the EPFO website. Alternatively, your employer may provide the form if required.
Step 3: Fill in the Details
Complete the form with the necessary details:
- Personal Information: Name, UAN (Universal Account Number), PAN, Aadhaar, etc.
- Details of the Advance: Mention the reason for claiming the advance (e.g., medical emergency, home construction, etc.), the amount you wish to withdraw, and the supporting documents.
- Employer Details: Provide details of your employer, including the establishment code.
Step 4: Submit the Form
Submit the completed form to your employer for verification. Once verified, your employer will forward it to the EPFO for processing. Alternatively, if your UAN is activated, you can directly apply online through the EPFO member portal.
Step 5: Wait for Processing
After submission, EPFO will process the claim and credit the amount to your linked bank account within the stipulated time, which can vary from a few days to several weeks.
Online Claim Process via EPFO Member Portal
With the introduction of online services, you can also submit Form 31 claims directly through the EPFO Member Portal. Follow these steps to claim your EPF advance online:
- Log in to the EPFO Member Portal: Use your UAN and password.
- Navigate to the ‘Claim’ Section: Click on ‘Online Services’ and select ‘Claim (Form 31, 19, 10C & 10D)’.
- Select ‘PF Advance (Form 31)’: Choose the type of advance claim you want to file.
- Enter the Required Details: Fill in the necessary details and upload supporting documents.
- Submit the Claim: Once all details are verified, submit the claim for processing.
Conclusion on Form 31 PF Claim Eligibility
Form 31 is an essential tool for employees seeking to withdraw or claim an advance from their EPF balance for specific needs like medical emergencies, marriage, home purchase, education, or loan repayment. By understanding the eligibility criteria, required documents, and the process for filing the claim, employees can ensure a smooth and quick resolution.
It’s important to carefully review the eligibility conditions for each type of advance and ensure that the required documents are submitted. Whether you choose to submit the claim online or through your employer, the EPF advance system provides flexibility and support for employees in times of need.
Note: Please refer to the relevant Para of the EPF Scheme for the above cases.
Other Ways to know EPF Balance: Click Here.
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