Resolve the issue of multiple UANs with these methods | Fusion - WeRIndia

A Universal Account Number (UAN) is a unique identifier linked to an employee’s EPF (Employees’ Provident Fund) account.

As per regulations, an employee should have only one UAN throughout their lifetime to ensure seamless management of EPF contributions across jobs.

However, cases of employees being assigned multiple UANs have surfaced, causing confusion and compliance issues.

Reasons for Allotment of Multiple UANs

When switching jobs, employees are required to provide their existing UAN and EPF account details to the new employer. Failure to do so often leads to the generation of a new UAN.

If the previous employer does not update the “Date of Exit” in the Electronic Challan and Return (ECR), the system assumes the employee’s previous employment is ongoing, triggering the issuance of a new UAN by the new employer.

Having two active UANs simultaneously is against EPFO rules. It can lead to complications such as:

• Inability to transfer EPF funds between accounts.
• Compliance and tracking issues for the employee’s EPF contributions.

If you discover multiple UANs, the old UAN needs to be deactivated.

The EPF account linked to the old UAN must be transferred to the account linked with the new UAN.

Use these methods to resolve this issue:

Manual Resolution Process

• Notify your employer or EPFO immediately after identifying the issue.
• Alternatively, email the EPFO with details of both UANs.
• EPFO will verify your claim. Upon validation, the old UAN will be blocked, and the new UAN will remain active.
• Submit a claim to transfer the EPF balance from the account linked to the deactivated UAN to the new active UAN.

This method can be time-consuming and has historically shown a low-resolution rate.

Automated Resolution by EPFO

• Initiate the transfer of funds from the EPF account linked with the old UAN to the one associated with the new UAN.
• The EPFO system automatically identifies duplicate UANs during periodic checks.
• After verification, the old UAN is deactivated, and the previous EPF account is linked to the active UAN.
• Employees receive an SMS notification confirming the deactivation and linkage.
• If the new UAN has not been activated, employees will be prompted to do so to access updated account information.
• Any arrears from the previous employer are credited to the new EPF account associated with the active UAN.

To avoid this issue, follow these:

• Always disclose your existing UAN and EPF details when changing jobs.
• Initiate EPF transfers promptly to avoid complications.
• Activate your UAN to monitor account updates and receive notifications.

By addressing multiple UANs promptly using these methods, employees can maintain a streamlined and compliant EPF record.

Image Credit: Aviator423, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Image Reference: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Employees%27_Provident_Fund_Organization_office_at_Silva_Cross_Road_at_Falnir_in_Mangalore.jpg