Published by Editorial Team | Nov 1 | 9 min read

Form 31 under the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) scheme allows employees to make partial withdrawals from their PF corpus for specific purposes like loans, medical expenses, home renovation, education, and more.

What is EPF Form 31?

The Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), introduced by the Government of India, encourages savings among working professionals by enabling monthly contributions from both employers and employees. Though the EPF is primarily intended as a retirement fund, the scheme allows for partial withdrawals during employment for defined needs. To do so, employees must submit EPF Form 31, which facilitates advance withdrawals while maintaining the core objective of providing long-term financial security.

When Can EPF Form 31 Be Used?

Form 31 can be used under the following circumstances:

• Resignation – Withdraw contributions accumulated during employment.
• Retirement – Access the full EPF balance post-retirement.
• Termination – Withdraw funds upon employment termination.
• Partial Withdrawal – Up to 75% of the balance for emergencies (e.g., medical treatment, education).
• After 10 Years of Service – Close the EPF account and claim the full corpus.
• At Age 55 or Above – Full withdrawal even without completing 10 years of service.

Documents Required Based on Purpose

Step-by-Step Guide to Download and Submit EPF Form 31

Online Process

1. Visit EPFO Member Portal.
2. Log in with your UAN and password.
3. Click on “Online Services” → “Claim”.
4. Fill out the required details and select “Proceed for Online Claim.”
5. Choose “PF ADVANCE (FORM 31)” from the claim options.
6. Specify the reason (education, house purchase, etc.), amount, and address.
7. Sign the disclosure, verify via Aadhaar OTP, and submit the claim.

Offline Process

1. Download Form 31 from EPFO Website or get a hard copy from the PF office.
2. Fill in all details and attach necessary documents (ID proof, PAN, bank info).
3. Submit the form to your regional EPF office or mail it.
4. Retain the submission receipt and await claim settlement.

Key Details Required in EPF Form 31

• Member’s name and mobile number
• Purpose and amount of advance
• PF account number
• Monthly salary with DA
• Applicant’s and employer’s signatures
• Complete postal address
• Bank details (Name, branch, IFSC, account number, cancelled cheque)
• For weddings: Name, age, relationship, and wedding date of the person

EPF Withdrawal Limits Based on Purpose

Things to Keep in Mind

• Attach a cancelled cheque for direct credit to a bank account.
• Use money orders if the withdrawal amount is below ₹2,000.
• Offline submission requires employer verification.
• For online claims, ensure Aadhaar, PAN, and UAN are linked.
• Verify your bank account online by entering the last 4 digits.

How to Check Your Form 31 Claim Status

1. Visit EPFO Website.
2. Click on “Know Your Claim Status.”
3. Select your EPFO region and office code.
4. Enter the establishment code and your 7-digit PF account number.
5. Click “Submit” to view the status.

Tax Rules on EPF Withdrawals