EPFO Grievance — How to File PF Complaint Online & Escalate

If your PF withdrawal is stuck, employer isn't depositing EPF, or your UAN has errors — you don't have to visit the EPFO office. The EPF i-Grievance Management System (EPFiGMS) lets you file complaints online and track them until resolution.

This guide walks you through every type of EPFO complaint, the exact steps to file one, and how to escalate if your issue isn't resolved.

Common Types of EPFO Complaints

Before filing, identify which category your issue falls under:

• PF Withdrawal Delay — Claim submitted but money not credited for weeks. This is the most common grievance.
• PF Transfer Not Processed — Online transfer request pending for months after job change.
• Wrong UAN or Duplicate UAN — Multiple UANs allotted, or UAN linked to wrong Aadhaar/PAN.
• Employer Not Depositing PF — Salary deducted but employer hasn't deposited to EPFO.
• Name/Date of Birth Mismatch — Details on UAN don't match Aadhaar or PAN, blocking claims.
• KYC Rejection — Aadhaar, PAN, or bank details rejected during verification.
• Pension (EPS) Issues — Wrong pension calculation, pension not credited, or scheme certificate delays.

Tip: Before filing a grievance, check your EPF passbook to confirm your account status and recent transactions.

How to File an EPFO Grievance Online (EPFiGMS)

The official portal is epfigms.gov.in. Here's the step-by-step process:

Step 1: Visit EPFiGMS Portal

Go to https://epfigms.gov.in and click "Register Grievance".

Step 2: Select Your Status

Choose one of:

• PF Member (Employee) — For individual EPF account holders
• Employer — For establishment-related issues
• EPS Pensioner — For pension-related grievances

Step 3: Enter Your UAN or PF Number

• Enter your Universal Account Number (UAN) or PF Member ID (format: AA/BBB/1234567/000/0000123).
• The system will auto-fetch your details from EPFO records.

Step 4: Fill Grievance Details

• Grievance Category — Select from dropdown (e.g., "PF Withdrawal," "PF Transfer," "Employer Related").
• Description — Write a clear, specific complaint. Include:
  • Your claim reference number (if applicable)
  • Date you submitted the claim or request
  • What response (if any) you received
  • The specific relief you're seeking
• Supporting Documents — Upload relevant proof (claim receipt, salary slips, bank statement) in PDF/JPG format.

Step 5: Enter Contact Details

Provide your mobile number and email address. EPFO sends SMS and email updates on your grievance.

Step 6: Submit and Note the Registration Number

After submission, you'll receive a Grievance Registration Number. Save this — you need it to track status and for any escalation.

How to Track EPFO Grievance Status

1. Visit https://epfigms.gov.in
2. Click "View Status"
3. Enter your Registration Number
4. The system shows current status, officer assigned, and any remarks

Typical status labels:

• Registered — Complaint received, not yet assigned
• Under Process — Assigned to an officer at the regional EPFO office
• Disposed — EPFO considers it resolved (check if you're satisfied)
• Closed — Fully resolved and closed

If status shows "Disposed" but your issue isn't actually resolved, you can reopen the grievance from the same portal by clicking on the registration number and submitting a follow-up.

Escalation Path — When Your Grievance Isn't Resolved

If EPFiGMS doesn't resolve your issue within 30 days, escalate systematically:

Level 1: EPFO Helpline

• Toll-free number: 1800-118-005 (available Mon–Sat, 9:15 AM to 5:45 PM)
• Missed call service: Give a missed call to 011-22901406 from your registered mobile to get basic PF details via SMS
• Quote your grievance registration number when calling

Level 2: Contact the Regional PF Commissioner (RPFC)

Each EPFO regional office has an RPFC. You can:

• Visit the regional office in person with your grievance number and documents
• Write a formal letter addressed to the RPFC of your region
• Find your regional office at https://www.epfindia.gov.in under "Our Offices"

Level 3: Escalate to Central PF Commissioner (CPFC)

If the RPFC doesn't resolve the issue:

• Write to the Central Provident Fund Commissioner at EPFO Head Office, Bhavishya Nidhi Bhawan, 14 Bhikaiji Cama Place, New Delhi – 110066
• Email your complaint with all documents and previous correspondence

Level 4: EPF Ombudsman

The EPF Ombudsman is a quasi-judicial authority for unresolved grievances:

• File a complaint if your grievance has been pending for 1 month or more with no satisfactory resolution
• The Ombudsman must dispose of the complaint within 3 months
• Find the Ombudsman for your region on the EPFO website under "Ombudsman"

Level 5: File an RTI Application

If EPFO isn't giving you information about your account or claim status, file an RTI application online. Ask specific questions like:

• Status of claim reference number [X] submitted on [date]
• Reason for delay in processing
• Name of the officer handling the case

RTI responses are legally binding and often speed up stuck claims.

Level 6: Social Media Escalation

EPFO actively responds on social media:

• Twitter/X: Tag @socialaborepfo with your UAN (mask partially for privacy) and grievance number
• Facebook: Message the official EPFO page

Many members report faster resolution after a public tweet — EPFO's social media team often coordinates directly with regional offices.

Typical Resolution Timelines

These are typical timelines after filing on EPFiGMS. Complex cases involving employer non-compliance may take longer.

Tips for Faster Resolution

1. Attach all documents upfront — Incomplete grievances get delayed. Include claim receipts, Aadhaar, PAN, and bank proof.
2. Be specific in your description — Mention dates, amounts, claim IDs, and the exact problem.
3. Follow up every 7 days — Check status and add follow-up remarks if no progress.
4. Use multiple channels simultaneously — File on EPFiGMS AND tweet to @socialaborepfo AND call the helpline.
5. If employer-related, file under Section 7A — For non-deposit of PF by employer, EPFO can initiate recovery proceedings under the EPF Act.

If your employer is consistently not depositing PF, you can also file a consumer complaint or approach the labour commissioner.

Related Guides

• How to Withdraw PF Online — Step-by-step EPF withdrawal process
• Check EPF Passbook Balance Online — View your PF balance and transaction history
• File Consumer Complaint Online — For employer-related disputes
• RTI Online Application — Get information from EPFO via RTI

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does EPFO take to resolve a grievance filed on EPFiGMS?

Most grievances are resolved within 15–30 days. Simple issues like KYC updates or status inquiries may be resolved in 7–10 days, while employer-related complaints can take 30–60 days.

Can I file an EPFO grievance without a UAN?

Yes. On EPFiGMS, you can file using your PF Member ID instead of UAN. If you don't have either, select the "Others" category and provide your employer's establishment code and your personal details.

What should I do if my EPFiGMS grievance is marked "Disposed" but my issue isn't resolved?

Log back into EPFiGMS with your registration number and submit a follow-up or reopen the grievance. Clearly state why the issue remains unresolved. If this doesn't work, escalate to the RPFC or Ombudsman.

Is the EPFO helpline number 1800-118-005 available 24/7?

No. The helpline operates Monday to Saturday, 9:15 AM to 5:45 PM. It is closed on Sundays and gazetted holidays. For after-hours queries, use EPFiGMS or the EPFO chatbot on the website.

Can I file a grievance if my employer is not depositing my PF?

Yes. File a grievance on EPFiGMS under the "Employer Related" category. Attach salary slips showing PF deduction and any communication with your employer. EPFO can initiate enquiry and recovery proceedings under Section 7A of the EPF Act.

How do I escalate to the EPF Ombudsman?

If your EPFiGMS grievance hasn't been resolved satisfactorily within 1 month, write to the EPF Ombudsman for your region. Include your grievance registration number, PF number, a summary of the issue, and copies of all correspondence. The Ombudsman list is available on the EPFO website.