The Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme (EDLI) is a government-run insurance program in India for workers covered under the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF). The EDLI provides assurance benefits to the beneficiaries in the event of the employee’s death while in service. The quantum of assurance benefit is linked to the average balance in the employee’s Provident Fund account. The reminder states that the assurance benefit is admissible even if the employee was on leave without wages or absent and expired during that period, provided he was on the muster rolls of the establishment on the day of death. The reminder also states that the family members should not be harassed and the claims should be settled within 7 days. The Regional Offices are requested to ensure that the eligible beneficiaries receive their rightful claims.
Admissibility of Assurance Benefits payable to the beneficiaries of EDLI Scheme-Reminder
EPFO, HEAD OFFICE
MINISTRY OF LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
E-file No. 53464
Dated 03.02.2023
To,
All Addl. CPFCs, Zonal Offices,
All RPFCs/ OICs, Regional Offices
Subject: – Admissibility of Assurance Benefits payable to the beneficiaries of EDLI Scheme-Reminder
Madam / Sir,
Please refer to directions/guidelines issued vide H.O Circular dt 18.10.2022 on admissibility of benefits payable to the beneficiaries of EDLI Scheme.
However, it seems that directions/guidelines are still not being followed as grievances / RTIs on the subject so reflect.
Accordingly, the provisions of MAP (II-B) and EDLI Scheme are once again reiterated: –
“MAP II(B) Para 2.2.1 The Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme, 1976 provides for payment of ‘Assurance Benefit’. 7he assurance benefit is payable on death of the member, while in service”. The quantum of assurance benefit is linked to the average balance in the Provident Fund Account of the employee.”
” MAP II(B) Para 2.2.7 In cases, where an employee/ member was on leave without wages (consequently no contribution was payable by the employer) or absent for any other reason and expired during that period, the Assurance benefit is admissible irrespective of the fact that no contribution was paid by the employer, provided he was on the muster rolls of the establishment on the day of death and satisfied the prescribed conditions”.
Further Para 22(3) of EDLI Scheme states” On the death of an employee, who is a member of the Fund or of a provident fund exempted under Section 17 of the Act, as the case may be, and was in employment for a continuous period of twelve months, preceding the month in which he died, the persons entitled to receive the provident fund accumulations of the deceased shall in addition to such accumulations to be paid an amount equal to.-
[(i) the average monthly wages drawn (subject to a maximum of fifteen thousand rupees), during the twelve months preceding the month in which he died, multiplied by thirty five times plus fifty percent of the average balance in the account of the deceased in the fund or of a provident fund exempted under Section 17 of the Act or under Paragraph 27 or 27A of the Employees’
Provident Funds Scheme, 1952, as the case may be, during the preceding twelve months subject to a ceiling of one lakh and seventy five thousand rupees;
Provided that the assurance benefit shall not be less than two lakh and fifty thousand rupees;
Provided further that the assurance benefit shall not exceed seven lakh rupees; ]
(ii) the amount of benefit under sub paragraph (1), whichever is higher.”
In above context, it is once again reiterated that, RTIs, references and complaints have been received that even where an employee has died while in service, some offices are rejecting the claims saying that the contribution was not received during the previous few days and therefore the EDLI benefits are not payable on account of such NCP days.
It is also to be noted that when the member dies after leaving employment he/she ceases to be an “employee” as defined in Section 2(f) read in conjunction with Section 6C (1) of the Act in an establishment covered under the Act the condition for release of EDLI benefits ceases to be in operation and the benefits would not be admissible.
Accordingly, all ZOs /ROs are advised to settle the claims strictly in accordance with scheme provisions. Due verification shall be done but it should be done within 7 days and the family members should not be harassed. In cases where employer states that the member is on the muster rolls and the EO says otherwise, the reason why the employer version is not acceptable to us should be clearly listed out and examined at Office.
All Regional Offices are requested to ensure that the persons entitled to receive EDLI benefits are not deprived of their rightful claims.
Zonal Offices are requested to please review this issue from time to time so that eligible beneficiaries get the due benefits.
Yours faithfully
(Aprajita Jaggi)
Regional P.F Commissioner-I (EDLI)
Source: www.epfindia.gov.in