New Delhi Bureau
Summary: The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation has given PF subscribers a major facility on its 74th Foundation Day. PF balance, the last five transactions and passbook details can now be accessed through a WhatsApp message, while inoperative accounts holding up to Rs 1,000 will be settled automatically without any claim. Union Labour and Employment Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya launched these facilities at the Foundation Day celebration in New Delhi on Sunday.
What the WhatsApp service offers
Through EPFO’s WhatsApp service, subscribers can now check their current PF balance. They can also view the details of the last five transactions in the account, whether deposits or withdrawals. Passbook information can also be obtained through the same messaging service. Earlier, subscribers had to log in to EPFO’s official portal for this information, which required entering a UAN and password. Now the entire process has been reduced to a simple message.
The biggest benefit of this service will reach subscribers who found the portal login process inconvenient or who do not have access to a computer. WhatsApp on a smartphone is available to almost every subscriber, so the facility has come directly within their reach. According to EPFO, the aim of this initiative is to make routine services easier to access and to reduce the need for members to visit EPFO offices.
How to use the service
To use the WhatsApp service, subscribers must send a WhatsApp message saying Hi or Hello to the number 8796441800 from their UAN-registered mobile number. After this, the mobile verification process has to be completed by following the instructions of the automated chatbot. Once verification is complete, subscribers can choose options from the menu to view their EPF balance, check their last five transactions and download their passbook.
One caution is very important while using this facility. Use only EPFO’s verified WhatsApp service. EPFO never asks any subscriber for an OTP, password or confidential bank account information. If any person or number asks for such information, it could be fraud. Subscribers are advised to send messages only to the official number and never share their confidential information with anyone.
Automatic settlement of accounts up to Rs 1,000
Along with the WhatsApp service, EPFO has also started the automatic settlement of inoperative accounts. Subscribers whose Aadhaar-verified EPF accounts have become inoperative and hold up to Rs 1,000 will no longer need to fill any separate claim form to withdraw the money. After identity and bank account verification, EPFO itself will start the settlement process and the eligible amount will be sent directly to the rightful beneficiary’s bank account.
According to data from the labour ministry, this step will settle nearly one lakh inoperative accounts holding about Rs 5 crore. Small amounts had been stuck in these long-dormant accounts for years, and many subscribers never filed claims because of the time and effort the claim process required. Now this money will reach them automatically, without any application.
Launched in New Delhi on the 74th Foundation Day
EPFO celebrated its 74th Foundation Day in New Delhi on Sunday, 1 November 2026. At this celebration, Union Labour and Employment Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya launched both facilities. The occasion also showcased EPFO’s technological transformation. It was highlighted that the average claim settlement time has declined to 2.57 days in October 2026, a significant improvement over earlier periods.
Addressing the celebration, the minister said that in its 74-year journey, EPFO today manages a huge corpus of Rs 32 lakh crore with the trust of more than 8 crore active members. Regional and zonal offices of the organisation, along with better-performing officials and employees, were also honoured at the event. The launch is being seen as another major step in EPFO’s digital reform journey.
Who benefits the most
The facility will benefit employees the most who forgot their old PF accounts after changing jobs or cities. Small-balance accounts often become inoperative, and subscribers do not even keep track of them. With the WhatsApp service, they can check the status of their accounts with a single message. Automatic settlement will send the money in inoperative accounts up to Rs 1,000 directly to their bank accounts without any running around.
Subscribers in rural areas and small towns will also get major relief from this facility. Earlier, they had to visit offices or take help from cyber cafes for PF-related information. Now this information will be available from home through WhatsApp on a smartphone. This will save both time and money.
Facility for pensioners too
EPFO has also expanded digital facilities for pensioners. In partnership with India Post Payments Bank, pensioners can now submit their digital life certificate from home. This service can be availed free of cost by calling 033-22029000. A life certificate is required every year to continue pension, and the doorstep facility is a major relief for elderly pensioners.
EPFO has also been resolving the complaints of subscribers on the spot through initiatives like Nidhi Aapke Nikat camps. Pension and PF-related problems are heard and resolved at these camps. With the WhatsApp service and automatic settlement, EPFO’s reach to subscribers through digital means has now become even stronger.
What next
This initiative by EPFO is an important step towards expanding digital services. More services are expected to be added through WhatsApp in the coming time, which will further reduce the need for subscribers to visit offices. Subscribers are advised to keep their UAN-linked mobile number updated and to complete the verification of their Aadhaar and bank accounts, so that facilities like automatic settlement can be availed without any interruption.
If a subscriber’s account has been inoperative for a long time, they should check whether their Aadhaar and bank account verification is complete. Once verification is complete, settlement of eligible accounts up to Rs 1,000 will begin automatically. In case of any doubt, subscribers can seek information through EPFO’s official channels.
Disclaimer: This report has been prepared on the basis of available sources and verification. In case of any factual error, a correction will be published.
