EPFO administers several schemes aimed at safeguarding the financial interests of employees, including the Employee’s Provident Fund Scheme, Family Pension Scheme, Employees’ Pension Scheme, and Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme.
However, amidst its noble objectives, EPFO grapples with challenges inherent to its operational processes. One of the significant hurdles it encounters is maintaining accurate member profiles. Incomplete or mismatched data within EPFO’s database often leads to claim rejections, posing a hurdle in disbursing rightful benefits to members. Parameters such as name, gender, date of birth, and Aadhaar number are pivotal in ensuring seamless claim settlements.
Recognizing the need to address these discrepancies, EPFO has introduced a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Joint Declaration – Member Profile Correction. This SOP aims to streamline the process of rectifying discrepancies in member profiles, thereby reducing claim rejections and minimizing the risk of identity fraud associated with Universal Account Number (UAN) manipulation.
The Joint Declaration process entails a collaborative effort between employees and employers, duly authenticated to ensure the accuracy of modifications or additions to members’ basic profile parameters. Here’s an overview of how the Joint Declaration process unfolds:
- Initiation: The process begins with a member filing a Joint Declaration application, which is then authenticated by the employer. The designated initiator within the Field Office initiates the request through the unified portal, examining the submitted documents for accuracy.
- Verification: A designated verifier cross-checks the modification requests and supporting documents to ensure compliance with EPFO guidelines and regulations.
- Approval: Upon thorough verification, the member modification request is forwarded to the competent authority for approval. This could include Regional Provident Fund Commissioners (RPFC), Additional Provident Fund Commissioners (APFC), or other authorized officers.
Through this structured process, EPFO aims to maintain the integrity of member profiles, minimize claim rejections, and mitigate the risk of identity fraud. By leveraging technology through the Unified Portal Application, EPFO endeavors to enhance transparency, efficiency, and accountability in its operations.
