If your EPFO withdrawal or transfer claim has been stuck on “Under Process” for days or even weeks, you’re not the only one. Many users experience delays because of KYC mismatch, pending employer approval, Aadhaar issues, bank verification failures, or backend load at EPFO regional offices.

This complete guide breaks down what slows your claim, how to check each stage carefully, and the exact steps to fix delays. Follow the instructions closely and you can usually push your claim forward without visiting the EPFO office.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Log in to the EPFO Member Portal. Use your UAN + password. If the portal is slow, retry early morning hours.
2. Check the exact claim type. Form 19 (PF withdrawal), Form 10C (pension withdrawal), or transfer claim — different forms have different verification paths.
3. View 'Track Claim Status'. Note the timestamp of the last update. If there’s no movement for more than 7–10 days, it indicates a verification backlog or mismatch.
4. Open your KYC section. Confirm Aadhaar, PAN, bank details and “verified by employer” status. Any mismatch causes silent delays without error messages.
5. Check your employer approval timeline. For transfer claims, the employer must digitally approve it. If they delay it, the claim stays stuck as “Under Process.”
6. Validate bank account details. Rejected or unmatched bank details (name spelling mismatch, IFSC error) are major causes of hold-ups.
7. Call your regional EPFO office. Ask if the claim is in the queue, pending manual check, or awaiting bank KYC confirmation.

Required Documents

• UAN number
• Aadhaar linked mobile number
• Bank passbook (front page)
• PAN card (for PF withdrawal above ₹50,000)
• Employer’s name, PF code, and establishment ID
• Previous employer details (for transfer claims)

Fees (If Applicable)

EPFO processing is completely free. You should never pay anyone to “speed up” a withdrawal. If bank KYC corrections are needed, your bank may charge a small update fee (usually ₹0–₹100 depending on the branch).

Status Meaning Explained

• Under Process: EPFO has received your claim and is verifying KYC, bank, and employment history.
• Pending with Employer: Employer approval is required for the claim to move forward.
• Pending at Field Office: A manual check is in progress; this can take days during peak months.
• Returned: Your claim has issues — wrong bank details, mismatch, or incomplete KYC.
• Settled: Claim approved and payment initiated.
• Rejected: Claim failed due to verification errors or incorrect form submission.

Common Reasons for Delays

• Name mismatch between Aadhaar and PF records
• Bank account mismatch or incorrect IFSC
• PAN not linked or not verified for taxable withdrawals
• Aadhaar not seeded properly with UAN
• Employer delaying digital approval
• Manual claim sent to Regional EPFO office for checking
• High load during financial year closing (Feb–Apr)

Solutions for Each Problem

• Fix Aadhaar–UAN mismatch immediately. Use the 'Modify Basic Details' section to correct spelling errors. Update Aadhaar if needed through UIDAI.
• Re-verify your bank account. Upload a clear passbook scan, ensure your name matches exactly, and check the correct IFSC.
• If employer approval is pending, follow up directly. Claims often stall because HR hasn’t approved them digitally on time.
• Ensure PAN is correct for claims above ₹50,000. Incorrect PAN leads to TDS problems and delays.
• Raise a ticket in EPFO Grievance Portal. It forces field officers to review your case and update the status.
• If claim is stuck for 12–20 days, call your regional office. Provide UAN, claim ID and date — they can push the verification internally.

Offline Alternatives

If online updates are not moving, visiting the nearest EPFO office can significantly speed things up:

• Carry Aadhaar, PAN and bank passbook copies
• Take your UAN printout and claim reference number
• Ask the officer to check if the claim is stuck under “Manual Processing”
• Request them to note the exact reason for the delay

Most PF offices resolve stuck claims in under 48 hours if all documents match.

How to Escalate Complaints

• EPFO Helpdesk: 1800-118-005
• EPFO Grievance Portal: https://epfigms.gov.in (fastest response)
• Twitter/X: Tag @socialepfo with your UAN (masked) — responses are usually quick.
• Email to Regional Office: You can find office emails inside the grievance portal.
• Employer escalation: If transfer claim is pending, request HR to approve it within 24 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long does EPFO take to settle a claim?
   Usually 3–10 days. During peak periods, it may take 15–30 days.
2. Why is my claim stuck in “Under Process”?
   KYC mismatch, Aadhaar linking issue, employer delay or bank verification failure.
3. Can I cancel and reapply?
   No — claims cannot be cancelled once submitted. You must wait or resolve the issue.
4. How do I know if employer approval is pending?
   'Track Claim Status' will show employer-related messages for transfer claims.
5. My bank rejected the payment. What now?
   Correct your bank details in KYC, re-verify, then the claim will auto-reinitiate.
6. Can EPFO reject my claim?
   Yes — incorrect documents, mismatch, or incomplete KYC can cause rejection.
7. What documents does EPFO need?
   Aadhaar, PAN (if required), bank passbook, and UAN-linked mobile.
8. Can a stuck claim be fast-tracked?
   Yes — raise a grievance + call regional office + ensure KYC is perfect.
9. Why is Aadhaar so important?
   It verifies identity, mobile number, and activates e-KYC for quick payments.
10. What if the employer refuses to approve?
    You must raise a grievance; EPFO can intervene and push employer verification.