The Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) allows members to withdraw funds for constructing or purchasing a house. This is called PF home loan/house construction withdrawal.
Eligibility
1. You must be an EPF member for at least 5 years.
2. You can withdraw from your own EPF account, not from your employer’s contributions.
3. The withdrawal can be used for:
o Buying a plot or house
o Constructing a new house on a plot owned by you or your spouse
o Repaying a home loan
How to Apply
1. Online (Through the EPFO Portal / UMANG App):
o Log in to EPFO member portal using your UAN (Universal Account Number).
o Go to “Online Services” → “Claim (Form-31, 19 & 10C)”.
o Select “PF Advance (For house construction / purchase)”.
o Fill in details about property, builder, or loan.
o Upload required documents like sale deed, building plan, or loan sanction letter.
o Submit and track your claim online.
2. Offline (Through Employer/EPF Office):
o Fill Form 31 for EPF advance.
o Attach proof of property / construction plan / loan document.
o Submit to your employer or EPF regional office.
How Much Can Be Withdrawn
1. If constructing a house on owned land:
o You can withdraw up to 36 times your monthly basic wages + dearness allowance or the actual cost of construction, whichever is lower.
2. If purchasing a ready-built house / plot:
o You can withdraw up to 24 times your monthly basic wages + dearness allowance or the cost of the property, whichever is lower.
Note: "Basic wages + DA" is the sum of your basic salary and dearness allowance used for EPF contribution calculation.
Processing Time
· Online claims are generally processed within 5–20 working days.
· Offline claims may take slightly longer depending on regional office workload.
Key Points to Remember
· PF withdrawals for house construction are tax-free.
· You can use this withdrawal for repaying a housing loan if buying a house.
· Maintain proper documents, as EPFO may request verification.
Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, organization, employer, or company. All information provided is for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information contained herein. Readers are advised to verify facts and seek professional advice where necessary. Any reliance placed on such information is strictly at the reader’s own risk.
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