How to withdraw PF money for home repairs using Form 31 and check your balance

Instead of taking an expensive personal loan, employees who have completed five years of service can withdraw money from their PF account by filling Form 31. The money is available for repairs to a house in their own name or their spouse's name. Many people want to renovate or repair their homes around festivals or the new year. If money is short at the last moment, the amount lying in the provident fund account can be a good and cheaper option.

Employees are officially allowed to draw an advance from the PF account during service for home repairs. No rounds of government offices are needed. The account balance can be checked and the claim made on a mobile phone.

The first way to check the balance is a missed call. To know the balance within a few seconds without internet, call 9966044425 from the registered mobile number linked to the PF account. The call disconnects automatically after two rings, and a message arrives on the phone within 2 minutes. It shows the UAN, the last contribution and the total amount in the account.

The second way is a text message. From the registered mobile, send EPFOHO UAN LAN to 7738299899. Here LAN stands for your language, such as MAR for Marathi or ENG for English. The balance message arrives shortly.

The third way is the Central government's official UMANG app. Choose the EPFO service in the app, enter the UAN and log in with the OTP received on the phone. Then click "View Passbook" to see the total amount. The passbook can also be downloaded by going directly to the EPFO Member Passbook Portal.

Many people believe PF money is available only after retirement. That is not so. The government has allowed early withdrawal for certain specific reasons, and home repair is one of them. With five years of service completed, money can be withdrawn to repair a house in one's own or the spouse's name. The amount can be used for work such as painting, repairing a leaking roof, toilet and bathroom work, or building a new room.

How much can be withdrawn depends on the amount in the account. Generally, a part of the amount deposited by the employee and the employer, and the interest earned on it, is available. The money does not have to be repaid. That is, it is not a loan; it is your own money.

The claim is made entirely online. First, go to the website unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in and log in with the UAN and password. Then go to Online Services and choose the Claim (Form-31, 19, 10C) option. Enter the bank account number there and verify it. Next, choose PF Advance (Form 31) under "I Want To Apply For" and choose "Repair of House" as the reason. Enter the amount required and submit.

The claim goes to the employer. If the employer approves it, the money reaches the bank account in 7 to 10 days. Note that PF money is meant for old age, so it should not be withdrawn if not needed. But if money is truly needed for the home, withdrawing from one's own PF is better than taking a personal loan from a bank at 14-16 per cent interest.