EPFO Introduces a Free Home Service for Pension Scheme: Here’s How It Works
New Delhi:
The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has rolled out an innovative free service that brings convenience directly to the doors of EPS (Employees' Pension Scheme) pensioners. This new initiative enables them to submit their Digital Life Certificate (DLC) without the need to travel to a bank or EPFO office, thus simplifying the process significantly.
In collaboration with India Post Payments Bank (IPPB), EPFO is sending postal workers to the homes of pensioners to authenticate their identities using Aadhaar-based biometric data or facial recognition. This means that pensioners can generate their Digital Life Certificates right at home, ensuring they don’t face unnecessary hurdles.
Why Was This Service Introduced?
Many elderly pensioners encounter various challenges related to technology and mobility. For instance, some may not have access to smartphones, while others might struggle to travel to banks or EPFO offices due to health limitations or living in remote areas. These difficulties often lead to delays in receiving their pensions.
To address these issues, the doorstep service was created to guarantee that no pensioner experiences a holdup in their pension payments due to procedural complications.
Understanding the Digital Life Certificate
A Digital Life Certificate, also known as Jeevan Pramaan, serves as an online verification that confirms a pensioner's continued existence. It is generated using biometric data linked to the Aadhaar system, such as fingerprints or facial recognition. Once issued, this certificate remains valid for a period of one year.
Is There a Fee for This Service?
According to information available on the official website, the postal workers will visit pensioners whose DLC submissions are due and complete the registration process at no cost to the recipients. This service will incur no fees for the pensioners as the expenses will be covered by EPFO's Central Pension Processing and Record Centre.
How Can Pensioners Schedule a Home Visit?
To take advantage of this complimentary service, pensioners or their family members can easily reach out to IPPB's customer service number to place a request. Upon receipt of the request, a postman will be assigned to visit the pensioner's residence at the agreed-upon time. During this visit, they will verify the pensioner's identity using the Aadhaar-based biometric or facial authentication methods.
Following this verification, the Digital Life Certificate will be registered, concluding the process in a secure and user-friendly manner.
