EPF Form 5 IF

Download EPF Form 5 IF from the official EPFO website. Ensure you print a proper and clear copy of the form, as the member must fill out the form offline.

Step 2. Fill in Your Mobile Number

Ensure you write in your mobile number carefully as you will get SMS alerts regarding the claim status.

Step 3. Fill in the details of the deceased member

1. Full name of the deceased.

1. Father's name or husband's name if the deceased is a married woman you may not include her married name.

1. Date of death: you should write in the date of death in dd/mm/yyyy form.

1. Name of the last workplace: Factory or Establishment.

1. Address of the last workplace including the pin code.

1. Provident Fund account number.

Step 4: Fill in details of Claimant or Guardian

1. Your full name.

1. Your date of birth.

1. Your relationship with the deceased member.

1. And if you are the Guardian include the details of the minor nominee and relationship to the minor.

1. Fill in your full postal address including the pin code; please write the full address clearly in block letters.

 Step 5: Indicate Mode of Payment

1. Please select how you want to receive the insurance money.

1.  Account Payee cheque, or

1.  Internal Electronic Transfer: Electronic Transfer to the Saving Bank Account.

1.  If you choose Internal Electronic Transfer

Step 6: Include Relevant Documents

You must attach the death certificate of the deceased member. This document is essential for the claim.

 Step 7: Employer’s Certificate

The employer has to fill in and sign the certificate parts. In the event the establishment is closed, a different procedure is to be followed (see EPFO).

 Step 8: Sign the Form

The claimant and the employer must both sign in the spaces provided.

 Step 9: Submit the Form

Submit the completed and signed form to the office of the regional EPF Commissioner. Take a copy for your files.

 Step 10: Time Frame For Claim Processing

The EPF Commissioner must process your claim within 30 days. If not they will pay interest of 12% per annum from the 31st day until payment.

 Important Reminders

1. Your application must be complete and accurate.

1. You must provide all the documentation required to prevent delays.

1. You must ensure that your mobile number remains active for claim updates.

Who Can Fill EPF Form 5 IF?

EPF Form 5 IF is the form to enable a claim for insurance benefits from the Employees' Deposit Linked Insurance (EDLI) scheme, after the death of the active EPF members. However, it does not mean anyone can claim this form. EPF Organisation (EPFO) has specific guidelines about who is legally entitled to claim in this manner.  

This guide will examine who is allowed to make a claim:

Nominee family members 

If the deceased member has made a nomination, nominee(s) can fill out the EPF Form 5 IF. This is the simplest situation and should enable a quicker claim.   

Family members (If there is no nomination)

If the member never nominated anyone, the form can be filled in by any number of potential family members. However, there are limits in place:  

1. Eligible family members include spouse, unmarried daughters, dependent parents, minor children  

1. Not eligible: Sons (after a marriage of any type), married daughters (where husband believes that wife has been married), and married grand daughters (where husband exists). 

Legal Heir (Where Family or Nomination is Non-existent)

If the member who died: 

1. Did not nominate anyone 

1. Had no surviving family member who is eligible 

The legal heir may fill in the form and submit their claim. The legal heir will be required to submit a succession certificate issued by the court in support of the claim. 

Guardian of a Minor Claimant

If the nominee, family member or legal heir is a minor, the natural guardian (usually a parent) may competently fill in the form and submit the claim on behalf of the minor. If a claimant who is not the natural guardian is submitting the claim, then the claimant will provide a guardianship certificate sourced from a competent authority. 

Note: If you submit an EPF Form 5 IF without having the required eligibility, you risk your claim being rejected or prolonged. It is advisable to check your relationship with the member who died, plus the legal papers to submit with the application before you submit the form.

Documents Required to Complete EPF Form 5 IF

When filing EPF Form 5 IF to claim the insurance benefit (EDLI scheme), then you need to send along all the required documents with the form. Documents are provided to check the validity of your claim and to ensure it is processed without delay. Below is the full list of the documents you will be required to attach with the form:

1. Death Certificate of the EPF Member: The death certificate is the most important document for the claim. The claimant has to submit the death certificate of the deceased EPF member; The document is mainly in favor of proof and is essential to obtain the claim under the EPF insurance.

1. Guardianship Certificate: When the claim is made on behalf of a minor family member, minor nominee or minor legal heir and the individual who is making the claim - is not the natural guardian; a guardianship certificate will be required, as it certifies the claimant as the legal guardian over the minor.

1. Succession Certificate: When the claim is made by the legal heir, a succession certificate must be submitted. The succession certificate permits the legal heir to exercise legal rights to claim benefits on behalf of the deceased member.

1. Cancelled Cheque: You will need to attach a cancelled cheque from the bank account where you would like your EDLI benefit payments transferred. This will ensure payments are transferred electronically and securely to the correct account.

1. Employer's Certificate and PF Details (For Exempted Establishment): In the case of the member's last employment being in an exempted establishment from the EPF scheme 1952, the employer of that establishment will be required to provide certain documents: The employer will complete the certificate section on the form and submit the Provident Fund details for the last 12 months of the member's service. The employer will also send an attested copy of the member's nomination form when they submit the claim.

Note: It is very important that you submit all of these documents clearly and completely in order to avoid delays in you receiving your insurance benefits. Be certain to thoroughly review the list before submitting the form to the regional EPF Commissioner office.

How to Get the EPF Form 5 IF Attested

The EPF Form 5 IF needs to be attested prior to submission if the claimant wishes for the insurance benefits as provided in the EDLI scheme, to be disbursed. The attestation is the formal verification of the claim, which must be made before the EPF Form 5 IF can be processed by the EPFO.

Attestation by the Existence of Your Employer

The best person who may attest the EPF Form 5 IF is the employer for whom the EPF member was employed when they died. The employer will have to sign and stamp the space provided for their signature. This allows the EPFO to verify the employment records quickly and allow the claim payment to be undertaken at an expeditious pace.

Attesting the EPF Form 5 IF- What if the employer is dead/ unavailable?

It is quite possible that the company or establishment may have closed down or an officer of the company who is authorized to sign the EPF Form 5 IF may be unavailable to sign the form. A claimant should also understand that if your employer has closed the establishment, or the appointed signatory is dead, you can have the Form 5 IF attested by one of the following persons or authorities:

1. Chairman, Secretary or Member of a Municipal Board or a District Local Board

1. Magistrate

1. Postmaster/Sub-Postmaster

1. Manager of the bank where the claimant has an account

1. President of the Village Panchayat (where there is no Union Board)

1. Member of Parliament (MP) or Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA)

1. Gazetted Officer

1. Head of a recognised educational institution (school or college)

1. Member of the Central Board of Trustees (CBT) or Regional Committee of EPF

Things to consider when getting Attesting

• The authority verifying the form must include their official stamp and signature.
• It is best to carry original documents with photocopies for verification while attesting.
• Always keep a copy of the completed and attested form for future reference.
• Proper attestation is very important so that you do not create delays or an outright rejection of your EPF insurance application.
• Please ensure the form is signed by a legitimate authority and the relevant documents are in place before submitting to the relevant EPFO office.

Instructions to Complete EPF Form 5 IF

EPF Form 5 IF is a vital document that family members, nominees or legal heirs use to claim the insurance benefits under the Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme (EDLI). If the necessary steps are not followed properly, there will be rejection and delayed claim.

Here is a final checklist: