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Every month, some amount is deducted from the salary of the employed people and deposited in the Provident Fund with the Employees' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO). While this amount helps in improving their retirement, it also helps in difficult times. Although there are certain rules for withdrawing money from the Provident Fund, for the last few years, EPFO ​​has started an easy facility for this, which has now been discontinued with immediate effect.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, EPFO ​​allowed people to withdraw up to 75 per cent of their Provident Fund to meet their essential expenses, including treatment. With this facility, the withdrawal of money was made very easy.

COVID-19 advance facility closed

EPFO has decided to discontinue the 'Covid-19 Advance Facility' with immediate effect. This scheme was a non-refundable advance scheme. This service was started to help EPF members in the initial phase of Covid-19, later it was started in 2021 by improving the service further. Then the second wave of COVID-19 was seen in the country.

EPFO has said in a statement that now there is neither Covid-19 nor a pandemic. Therefore, it has been decided to stop this advance (paying money in advance) facility with immediate effect.

These people were getting the benefit

Due to this facility of EPFO, those people who needed money for the treatment of themselves or their family members during COVID-19 got a lot of benefits. At the same time, those who lost their jobs or employment also got a lot of help from this facility.

Under this service, EPF members could withdraw their 3 months' salary (basic and dearness allowance) or up to 75% of the amount deposited in the fund, whichever is less, from their account. They were not required to deposit this amount back into their EPF account.