June 15, 2026
1 mins read
EPF Form 20 is used to claim the EPF balance of a deceased member. It can be filed by nominees, legal heirs, or guardians through the last employer. After employer verification and EPFO review, the approved amount is credited to the claimant’s bank account.
EPF Form 20 is usually required at a time no family plans for. It applies when an EPF member passes away or is declared mentally unfit to continue service. In such cases, the provident fund balance does not disappear and remains payable.
That amount can be claimed, but only by following the proper process.
EPF Form 20 is the document used by nominees, legal heirs, or guardians to request withdrawal of the member’s EPF savings. The process is not online. The form moves through the last employer first, and then to the EPFO for final review.
Once verified, the amount is released to the claimant’s bank account.
EPF form 20 is a form that must be submitted for the withdrawal of PF balance by the designated nominees of an EPF member who has passed away or is no longer mentally sound to continue their service. Under the Employees' Provident Fund scheme, employers are required to contribute 12% of the monthly salary of each employee towards their EPF account. Of this 12%, 8.33% is deposited in the employee's pension account under the Employee Pension Scheme and 3.67% is deposited in the EPF.
The account holder can claim the balance upon the attainment of 58 years of age (and retirement). They can, however, make the claim earlier under specific circumstances as can their designated nominees. In addition to the option to claim the PF balance, nominees are also eligible to file a claim under the Employees Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme. The designated beneficiaries under the EPF can be the member's spouse, dependent parents, dependent children, or any other nominee.
At its simplest, the form is a request to release savings belonging to the EPF member. The claimant needs to fill in the required details accurately and attach supporting documents.
The completed form is handed to the member’s last employer. The employer checks service records and confirms if the details match employment history.
After that, the regional EPFO office examines the documents such as the death certificate, bank details, and nomination records. If the records align, the claim is approved and funds are transferred directly to the claimant’s account.
The timeline is not fixed. It depends on documentation and verification. When papers are clear, the process tends to move without much delay or hassle.
Additional Read: How To Withdraw PF Amount Online
Provident fund savings often build up over years of employment. When a member passes away, that balance becomes a financial resource for the family.
EPF Form 20 provides the legal pathway to access that money. Without it, the amount cannot be processed for payment.
For many families, this withdrawal can support daily expenses or urgent financial needs during a difficult period.
The form also protects the system. It ensures that payment goes to the rightful beneficiary and that proper verification takes place before funds are released.
In cases where the member is mentally unfit to continue working, a guardian may file the claim. The principle remains the same. The savings must reach the authorised person.
Now that we have discussed the meaning and significance of EPF form 20, let us discuss who can fill this form. EPF form 20 can be filled by
The designated nominee of a deceased EPF member
The legal heir of a deceased EPF member
The guardian of an EPF member who is not mentally sound and, therefore, legally incapacitated
The guardian of the designated nominee/legal heir of a deceased EPF member (when said nominee or legal heir is of unsound mind and consequently legally incapacitated)
The form can be downloaded from the EPFO website or collected from the regional office. Before writing anything, it helps to read the instructions once.
Member details must match official records exactly. Name, EPF account number, employer information, and date of death should be written without spelling differences.
Next come the claimant’s details. Name. Relationship. Address. Bank information. If a guardian is filing the claim, that must be clearly stated along with supporting proof.
Documents must be attached. The death certificate is essential. A cancelled cheque helps confirm bank details.
Before submission, it is worth reviewing the entire form once more, as small avoidable mistakes can lead to delays.
Let us now discuss what documents are required to be submitted along with EPF form 20.
Death certificate of the deceased EPF member (for claims submitted post a member's death by their designated nominee or legal heir (or the nominee or legal heir’s guardian))
Court issued guardianship certificate (for EPF claims submitted by someone who is not the natural guardian of a deceased EPF member, their legal heir or designated nominee)
EPF form 10D for claiming pension benefits under the Employee Pension Scheme
EPF form 5IF for claims under the Employees' Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme
Cancelled cheque for the remittance of the EPF claim amount
EPF form 10C for a claim on the behalf of an EPF member who has passed away after attaining the age of 58 years but without completing 10 years of service (in the context of the EPF)
Valid ID proof, address proof, and other necessary documents of the EPF member and/ or the claimant (in case the claim is filled by a nominee or legal heir or their guardian)
The completed form is to be submitted to the member’s last employer.
The employer verifies service records and confirms that the details match internal data. After verification, the form is forwarded to the appropriate EPFO office.
If the organisation has closed down, the form can be attested by authorised officials such as a magistrate, gazetted officer, or bank manager before submission.
Once the EPFO receives the documents, it conducts its own review. If everything is in order, the provident fund balance is credited to the claimant’s bank account.
After submission, waiting without updates can feel uncertain. Fortunately, tracking is available.
The EPFO website provides a “Know Your Claim Status” section. The claimant can check the progress of the application by entering the Universal Account Number and login credentials.
The status may show under review, approved, or rejected. If additional documents are required, that information appears there.
Keeping the registered mobile number active ensures SMS updates are received during processing.
Most issues are minor and stem from small errors.
Leaving a mandatory field blank can stop the process. So can spelling differences in names or incorrect EPF account numbers.
Missing documents are another common reason for delay. The death certificate and correct bank details should always be attached.
Signatures matter too. An unsigned form may be returned for correction.
Taking a few extra minutes before submission often prevents weeks of follow-up later.
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EPF form 20 can be submitted by
The documents that must be submitted to file an EPF claim in the wake of an EPF member's passing include
No, you cannot submit EPF form 20 online. However, you can download the form from the official website of the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation. The duly filled form must be attested by the employer of the EPF member (or an alternative recognised authority) and then forwarded to the EPFO along with the required supporting documents.
If your EPF form 20 is accurately filled, signed, and attested, it is likely to take ten to fifteen days to be processed by the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation.
While filling your EPF form 20, you must not
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