According to sources, the Labor Ministry is going to launch a new mobile app in April, through which customers will be able to transfer money directly to their bank accounts using Unified Payment Interface (UPI). Subscribers have many questions regarding this new system. Here, through easy questions and answers, understand how this new system will work and how it will benefit you.

Question: What is the new plan of EPFO?

answer: Retirement fund body EPFO ​​is preparing a system through which members will be able to withdraw their PF money through UPF payment gateway. For this, a dedicated mobile application will be launched in April. Till now, to withdraw money one had to file a claim, which is a long and time consuming process.

Question: How will this new app work?

answer: Know the complete process of how the app will work below-

• Subscribers will have to log in to the new mobile app.




• There they will see how much balance is available for transfer in their PF account.




• The member will have to enter his linked ‘UPI PIN’ to complete the transaction. After this the money will be safely transferred to their bank account.




• Note: Full amount of PF will not be withdrawn. A certain portion of the funds will remain frozen, while a larger portion will be available for withdrawal.

Question: Will the old Umang app and UAN portal be closed?

answer: No. Currently, members access their services through the UAN portal or UMANG app. Sources have made it clear that both these platforms will continue to work as before. The new app is being introduced only to improve the accessibility and delivery of services.

Question: When will this facility start?

answer: The Labor Ministry is planning to launch this app on a large scale in April this year. At present, its trial is going on on 100 dummy accounts to remove technical glitches and improve the service.

Question: Why is the government doing this?

answer: Its main objective is to make PF withdrawal as easy as banks.

• Every year, EPFO ​​receives more than five crore claims, most of which are for withdrawal. This puts a lot of burden on the system.




• Since EPFO ​​does not have a banking license, it cannot allow withdrawal of money directly, but it wants to take its services to the level of banks.

Question: Is there any change in the rules for emergency evacuation?

answer: Recently the withdrawal limit under ‘Auto-Settlement Mode’ has been increased.

• Now claims up to Rs 5 lakh for illness, education, marriage or buying a house are settled in just three days without any human intervention.




• Earlier this limit was Rs 1 lakh. The new app will make this process even faster.

Question: How important is this facility of EPFO?

answer: Withdrawals through UPI will be EPFO’s biggest digital reform after the online auto-settlement facility launched during COVID-19. This will not only make it easier for crores of employed people to withdraw their money, but will also reduce the workload on the department.