The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has announced two initiatives to make provident fund services more accessible to subscribers. These include access to PF balance and passbook details through WhatsApp and automatic settlement of eligible inoperative accounts with balances of up to ₹1,000.
The initiatives were announced by Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on November 1, during EPFO’s 74th Foundation Day celebrations in New Delhi.
Check PF balance and transactions through WhatsApp
EPF subscribers will be able to access their PF balance, latest five transactions and passbook information through EPFO’s verified WhatsApp service.
The facility will also provide personalised guidance and assistance with requirements related to the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY).
The initiative is aimed at making routine account-related services accessible through WhatsApp and reducing the need for members to visit EPFO offices for basic information.
However, the announcement does not specify the WhatsApp number or the procedure for accessing the service.
Automatic settlement of inactive EPF accounts with up to ₹1,000
EPFO will also initiate automatic settlement of eligible inoperative accounts carrying balances of up to ₹1,000. Subscribers will not have to file individual claims to receive these amounts.
The facility will cover accounts with Aadhaar-verified identities. Settlement will be initiated after the prescribed identity and bank-account verification, with the money transferred to the rightful beneficiaries.
According to the Labour Ministry, approximately one lakh accounts involving ₹5 crore are expected to benefit from the initiative.
For subscribers, this could make it easier to recover small outstanding balances in old, inactive EPF accounts without going through an individual claim process. However, the facility is limited to eligible accounts with balances of up to ₹1,000 and does not cover all inoperative EPF accounts.
EPFO reports improvement in claim settlement time
EPFO also highlighted improvements in claim processing following the implementation of its Centralised IT Enabled System (CITES) 2.01. The average claim settlement time declined to 2.57 days in October 2026, according to the Labour Ministry.
The organisation serves around eight crore contributory members and 85 lakh pensioners, managing a retirement corpus of nearly ₹32 lakh crore.