"EPF Form 19, Form 10C and Form 31: What They Are and How to Apply"

If you have an Employees' Provident Fund account, you will eventually come across three claim forms: Form 19, Form 10C and Form 31. They look similar but do very different things. Choosing the wrong one is a common reason claims get rejected.

This guide explains what each form does, when to use it, where to file it, and how to apply step by step.

The three forms at a glance

Form 19 is for full and final PF settlement. It affects your PF (EPF) balance and closes the account. Use it when you are retiring, have been unemployed for a long period, or are settling for good.

Form 10C is for pension (EPS) withdrawal or a Scheme Certificate. It affects your pension share. Use it when you leave a job with under 10 years of pension service, or when you want to preserve your pension rights.

Form 31 is for partial PF withdrawal (an advance). It affects your PF (EPF) balance, and the account stays active. Use it when you need money for a specific purpose.

Remember: Form 19 and Form 31 deal with your PF savings. Form 10C deals with your pension. They are separate pots of money, so you may need more than one form.

Form 19: Final PF settlement

What it is

Form 19 is the claim form for withdrawing your entire EPF balance (your contributions, your employer's contributions and interest). Once settled, the PF account is closed.

When to use it

• Retirement (EPF may be withdrawn on or after the age of 55)
• Permanent and total incapacity
• Permanent migration abroad
• Continuous unemployment for 12 months under the revised rules (previously 2 months)

When not to use it

• You are still employed.
• You only want part of the money (Form 31 applies).
• You want your pension share (Form 10C applies).

Note: Rules for withdrawal after job loss have been changing, and some sources describe a split (part available early, the rest after 12 months). Check the current rule on the EPFO member portal before filing.

Where it is used

Online on the EPFO Member Portal or the UMANG app. It can also be filed through your employer or at an EPFO office.

Tax note

If your total service (including transferred service) is under 5 years, TDS may be deducted on the withdrawal.

Form 10C: Pension withdrawal or Scheme Certificate

What it is

Form 10C is for the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS). A part of your employer's contribution goes into EPS every month. Form 10C lets you either withdraw your EPS benefit or get a Scheme Certificate that preserves your pension service.

When to use it

• More than 6 months and less than 10 years: a one-time withdrawal benefit
• 10 years or more, below the age of 58: a Scheme Certificate, which preserves pension rights for a future monthly pension
• Age 58 with 10 years or more: a monthly pension is claimed using Form 10D

How is the withdrawal amount calculated?

You don't get back exactly what was paid into your pension account. EPFO uses a fixed chart called Table D to work out your amount:

Withdrawal = your last monthly salary (maximum ₹15,000) × the Table D number for your years of service

A few Table D numbers:

Example: If your last salary was ₹15,000 and you worked 5 years, you get ₹15,000 × 5.02 = ₹75,300.

Table D was updated in 2024 to count extra months of service too, so check the EPFO portal for the exact number for your case.

When not to use it

• To withdraw your PF balance. That is Form 19.
• If you will join another covered employer soon, since a Scheme Certificate or service transfer may protect your pension better than a withdrawal.
• If you joined above the ₹15,000 wage ceiling (on or after 1 September 2014), you are generally not an EPS member, so there is nothing to claim.

Where it is used

Online on the EPFO Member Portal, usually together with Form 19 as a combined claim. It can also be filed through your employer or an EPFO office.

Form 31: Partial withdrawal (advance)

What it is

Form 31 permits a member to withdraw a portion of the EPF balance while remaining a member. The advance is non-refundable, and the account continues to earn interest.

Permitted purposes

• Essential needs: illness, education and marriage
• Housing needs: buying or building a home, or repaying a home loan
• Special circumstances: for example, natural calamities

Current limits

• Minimum service: 12 months
• Education advances: up to 10 times during membership
• Marriage advances: up to 5 times during membership
• Minimum balance to keep: 25% of the eligible balance

The 10 and 5 limits are ceilings, not guaranteed amounts. What you can actually withdraw depends on your eligible balance and the purpose.

Reasons why Form 31 claims get rejected

• Service is under 12 months.
• The purpose doesn't match the category you selected.
• The claim would leave less than 25% in the account.
• KYC, Aadhaar or bank details are not verified.

Where it is used

Online on the EPFO Member Portal or the UMANG app. It can also be filed through your employer or an EPFO office.

How to apply online

All three claims go through the same portal.

Before you start

• Your UAN is activated.
• Aadhaar, PAN and bank account are linked and verified in KYC.
• Your mobile number is linked to Aadhaar, because you will need an OTP.
• Your date of exit is updated (needed for Form 19 and Form 10C). If it is missing, ask your previous employer to mark it.

Steps

1. Log in. Open the EPFO Unified Member Portal and sign in with your UAN, password and captcha.
2. Check your profile. Under Manage, confirm your KYC details are verified.
3. Start a claim. Go to Online Services, then Claim (Form-31, 19, 10C & 10D).
4. Verify your bank account. Enter the last 4 digits of your bank account number, click Verify, then Proceed for Online Claim.
5. Choose the claim type: Only PF Withdrawal (Form 19) for final settlement, Only Pension Withdrawal (Form 10C) for EPS withdrawal, or PF Advance (Form 31) for a partial withdrawal.
6. Fill in the details. For Form 31, choose the purpose and amount. Add your address and upload a cancelled cheque or passbook image if asked.
7. Give consent. Tick the declaration and click Get Aadhaar OTP.
8. Submit. Enter the OTP and submit. Note your claim ID.
9. Track it. Check the status under Track Claim Status. Approved claims are paid into your bank account.

How to apply on PensionBox for EPF service requests

Using the UMANG app

You can also file Form 19, Form 31 and Form 10C through the UMANG app. Choose EPFO, then Raise Claim, and log in with your UAN.

Which form should I use?

Frequently asked questions

Can I claim PF and pension together?

Yes. They are separate claims, but they can often be filed together as a combined claim on the portal.

Can Form 31 withdraw 100% of my balance?

No. A 25% minimum balance must remain in your account.

Does Form 10C give me my PF money?

No. It only covers your pension (EPS) share.

What if my claim is rejected?

Read the rejection reason on the portal, fix the issue (usually KYC, exit date or purpose), and file again.