The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has recently extended the last date for Universal Account Number (UAN) activation with an Aadhaar and a bank account to claim benefits under Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme. This latest new deadline expired on February 15, 2025, as stated in the EPFO circular on February 2, 2025. It seems that if you do not complete this step, you might very well forfeit the financial benefits of that scheme.
What is UAN?
Every Universal Account Number (UAN) is a common identifier for EPFO consisting of twelve digits of numbers issued together to both the employers and workers It serves as a central mechanism for tracking the monthly Provident Fund (PF) contributions. An activated UAN allows you to manage your EPF balance, withdraw amounts easily, and access benefits pertaining to employment.
What is meant by the ELI Scheme for Employment Linkage?
A scheme introduced by the government where newly hired candidates can claim an Employment Linkage Incentive (ELI).
Under the scheme, the government gives direct benefit transfer of up to ₹15,000 in three installments to first-time employees.
Eligibility Criteria for ELI Scheme Benefits:
●A first-time employee.
●Monthly salary should be less than ₹1,00,000.
●Having an active UAN linked to Aadhaar and a bank account.
●EPF contribution is made by the employer.
If you satisfy these conditions and activate your UAN within the offered time frame, you stand to gain financial benefits under this scheme.
Activating Your UAN Online
The following few easy steps would activate UAN for claiming benefits under the ELI Scheme:
Step 1: Open the official EPFO portal.
Unified EPF Member Portal (unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in).
Step 2: Click on “Activate UAN.”
●From the Important Links section scroll down and click on “Activate UAN.”
Step 3: Fill in the required details.
Fill the following details:
●12-digit UAN number
●Aadhaar number
●Full name (as per Aadhaar)
●Date of birth
●Mobile number linked to Aadhaar
●Captcha code
Step 4: Generate OTP.
Check declaration box and click-on “Get Authorization PIN.”
A One-Time Password (OTP) shall be sent to the mobile number linked to your Aadhaar.
Step 5: Submit OTP for activation.
Enter OTP and hit “Submit.”
Your activation will be complete, and an SMS containing a password will be sent to your registered mobile number.
Step 6: Log in to your EPF account.
Log in using UAN and password.
Fill the captcha code and click “Sign in.”
There is an option to change your password for security purposes.
In this manner, after activating the UAN, you will be able to manage your EPF account to receive ELI scheme benefits directly into your bank account.
Why Should You Activate Your UAN Immediately?
●Receive ₹15,000 from the Government
●Track your EPF balance online
●Easy withdrawal of EPF funds
●Transfer funds easily during job changes
●Keep your Pension Account safe
Don’t miss the deadline! Activate your UAN now to avail of the benefits under the EPFO ELI Scheme.