Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 16: The Employees Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has started processing second non-refundable COVID-19 advances to the members to meet their financial need during second wave of the pandemic.
Members can apply for second withdrawal online to the extent of the basic wages and Dearness Allowances for three months or up to 75 percent of the amount standing to member’s credit in the EPF account, whichever is less. Members can apply for lesser amount also.
Members who have already availed the first 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.
Pertinent to mention that the EPFO Jammu had started providing online withdrawal facility to the members of J&K and Ladakh from April 2020 itself. So far, 11,833 claims have been settled by EPFO office and an amount of Rs 32.13 crores has been disbursed to its Members. This includes 4,428 COVID-19 advances.
According to a spokesperson of the EPFO, considering urgent need of members for financial support in these trying times, the organization is according top priority to COVID-19 claims. “EPFO is committed to settle these claims within three days of receipt and for this a system driven auto claim settlement mechanism has been put in place in respect of all such members whose Aadhaar and Bank Account are seeded against UAN,” he added.