INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Covid In India: EPFO allows members to withdraw wages in advanceThe Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has allowed its members to
avail the second non-refundable Covid-19 advance, a measure which has been announced keeping in view the raging second wave of the pandemic,
which has especially turned out to be a devastating one for the country.The provision for special withdrawal to meet the financial need of
members during the pandemic was introduced in March 2020, under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY).An amendment to this effect was
made by Ministry of Labour - Employment in Employees' Provident Funds Scheme, 1952 by inserting a provision, under which non-refundable
credit in the EPF account, whichever is less, is provided.Members can apply for lesser amount also, according to the rules.The Covid-19
Covid-19 advance can now opt for a second advance also
The provision and process for withdrawal of second Covid-19 advance is same as in the case of first advance.Considering the urgent need of
members for financial support in these trying times, it has been decided to accord top priority to Covid-19 claims, official sources
said.For this purpose, EPFO has deployed a system driven auto-claim settlement process for all such members whose KYC requirements
requirement to settle the claims within 20 days.
