EPFO to settle inoperative PF accounts up to Rs 1,000 without a claim, launches WhatsApp service

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) will settle small balances in inoperative provident fund accounts without members having to file a claim, the Ministry of Labour and Employment said on 1 November 2026. The facility covers Aadhaar-verified inoperative EPF accounts with balances up to Rs 1,000. EPFO also launched a WhatsApp service for PF balance and passbook details.

What Happened

Both services were launched at EPFO's 74th Foundation Day in New Delhi, according to a Press Information Bureau release. An inoperative account is one in which no contributions are coming in.

Under the new facility, subscribers with Aadhaar-verified inoperative EPF accounts holding up to Rs 1,000 will not need to file individual claims. EPFO said it will start settlement on its own after prescribed identity and bank-account verification, and transfer the dues to the rightful beneficiaries. About one lakh accounts involving Rs 5 crore are expected to benefit, the release said.

Through EPFO's verified WhatsApp service, subscribers will be able to see their PF balance, their latest five transactions and passbook information. The service will also give personalised help with requirements under the PMVBRY scheme. The ministry said this should cut the need to visit EPFO offices.

The release also said EPFO's average claim settlement time fell to 2.57 days in October 2026. EPFO serves about 8 crore contributory members and 85 lakh pensioners, with a corpus of nearly Rs 32 lakh crore, according to the release.

What It Means

If you have an old PF account with a small balance from a previous job, and it is linked to a verified Aadhaar, EPFO says it will settle the money without a claim from you. The release does not say when settlements will begin or how members will be told. Because the payout depends on bank-account verification, members may want to make sure the bank details on their EPF record are correct. Balances above Rs 1,000 are not covered by the automatic process, according to the release. The WhatsApp service gives a quicker way to check a PF balance and passbook. Use only EPFO's verified WhatsApp account, and never share an OTP or bank password with anyone claiming to be from EPFO; cyber fraud can be reported at https://cybercrime.gov.in or on helpline 1930.

Source: PIB press release