Provident Fund subscribers will soon have another convenient way to access their account information. On November 1, 2026, the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) announced new member services through its verified WhatsApp platform as part of its 74th Foundation Day celebrations.

The initiative aims to make routine PF-related services easier to access and reduce the need for employees to visit EPFO offices for basic information. The organisation has also announced automatic settlement of certain small, inoperative PF accounts, bringing relief to eligible account holders.

What services will EPFO provide through WhatsApp?

Under the newly announced facility, EPF subscribers will be able to access important account information through EPFO's verified WhatsApp service.

The services include:

• Checking the available PF balance.

• Viewing the latest five transactions.

• Accessing passbook information.

• Receiving personalised guidance.

• Getting assistance with requirements related to the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY).

The facility is intended to make basic information more accessible through a familiar mobile platform.

Subscribers should use only the WhatsApp contact officially verified by EPFO. They should never share their password, OTP, ATM PIN or banking credentials with anyone claiming to provide PF assistance.

Big relief for people with small inactive PF accounts

Another important announcement concerns inoperative EPF accounts with small balances.

EPFO has introduced automatic settlement for eligible inoperative accounts having balances of up to ₹1,000. Subscribers with Aadhaar-verified accounts will not need to submit individual withdrawal claims for this process.

After the prescribed identity and bank-account verification, EPFO will initiate the settlement and facilitate the transfer of eligible amounts to the rightful beneficiaries.

According to the announcement, approximately one lakh accounts involving a total amount of ₹5 crore are expected to benefit from this initiative.

What is an inoperative PF account?

An inoperative EPF account is generally an account in which contributions have stopped and which has not received deposits for a specified period under the applicable EPF rules.

Such accounts may belong to employees who changed jobs, left employment or did not complete the process of transferring or withdrawing their accumulated PF savings.

Members with inactive accounts should check their account details and ensure that their identity and bank information are correctly verified.

EPFO claims are getting settled faster

EPFO also highlighted improvements in its claim-processing system during the Foundation Day celebrations.

According to the government announcement, the average claim settlement time declined to 2.57 days in October 2026 following technological improvements, including the CITES 2.01 system.

Faster processing is expected to make it easier for members to access eligible provident fund savings when they need them.

What should EPF members do now?

Employees can take a few steps to ensure that their PF accounts remain accessible:

1. Keep their Universal Account Number (UAN) active.

2. Ensure Aadhaar details are correctly linked and verified.

3. Update bank account information wherever required.

4. Check their PF passbook periodically.

5. Verify their employment and contribution records.

6. Use only official EPFO platforms for account-related services.

Will everyone receive automatic PF settlement?

No. The newly announced automatic settlement facility is specifically intended for eligible Aadhaar-verified inoperative accounts with balances of up to ₹1,000. Other account holders may still need to follow the normal withdrawal or transfer procedures.

The WhatsApp service and automatic settlement initiative represent EPFO's latest efforts to simplify provident fund administration. For salaried employees, these changes could make it easier to monitor savings, access account information and resolve certain PF-related requirements without unnecessary paperwork.