Special drive for updation of pending DLCs through newly recruited SSAs: EPFO Order

Special drive for updation of pending DLCs through newly recruited SSAs: EPFO Order. Pensioners under the Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995 must update their Life Certificate (LC) annually to ensure continuous pension disbursement. However, as of 19.06.2023, 449,288 Life Certificates are pending for over three years. To address this, a month-long special drive starting from 20.06.2024 is initiated, wherein newly recruited SSAs will visit concerned pensioners to assist with the DLC submission.

Detailed Process:

1. Creation of Groups:
   • Groups of up to 10 SSAs will be formed, each guided by a mentor at AO/EO level for field visits.
2. Identification of Pending DLCs:
   • Regional Offices will compile a list of pending DLCs sorted by pin code, including pensioner details.
3. Training and Guidance:
   • Nodal Officers will train SSAs on effective communication and DLC updation processes, ensuring SSAs are familiar with the local language.
4. Assignment of SSAs:
   • SSAs will be assigned areas pin code-wise, each expected to visit at least 50 pensioners weekly.
5. Execution of Visits:
   • Coordination with Banks:
     • SSAs will gather pensioner details from banks, including account status, last transaction month, pensioner status, and contact information.
   • Visits to Pensioners:
     • SSAs will visit pensioners with logistical support from Regional Offices. During visits, SSAs will assist with documentation and DLC submission, addressing any pensioner queries.
     • Scenarios during visits:
       1. Pensioner Found: DLC submitted via Umang App; physical LC obtained if biometric fails.
       2. Pensioner Not Found: Neighbors or local officials contacted for information; new address recorded if found.
       3. Pensioner Deceased: Family details recorded; family pension initiation ensured or noted if ineligible.
6. Recording Expenses:
   • Regional Offices will log expenses incurred, including travel, accommodation, and administrative costs.
7. Examination of Rejections:
   • Nodal Officers will investigate DLC rejections and provide feedback to rectify issues.
8. Monitoring:
   • Regional Offices will submit weekly reports to Zonal Offices, including:
     • Number of DLCs updated
     • Number of deceased pensioners
     • New addresses recorded
     • Total expenses
     • Challenges faced and suggestions
   • Zonal Offices will submit monthly consolidated reports to the Head Office.

EPFO Order:-

EMPLOYEES’ PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION
MINISTRY OF LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Head Office
Bhavishva Nidhi Bhawan. 14. Bhikaiji Cama Place. New Delhi- 110066

E-File No. 495566/1903

Date: 21.06.2024

To,

All Addl. CPFCs, Zonal Offices.
All RPFCs / OICs, Regional Offices.

Subject: Special drive for updation of pending DLCs through newly recruited SSAs -reg.

Madam/Sir,

As you are aware, all pensioners under Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995 are required to update their Life Certificate (LC) within one year from the date of last submission of their Life Certificate/ Jeevan Pramaan. Accordingly, pensioners will have to submit their Life Certificate/ Jeevan Pramaan during the same month in the next year also failing which pension would be stopped from the succeeding month.

2. However, it has been observed that 449288 number of Life Certificates are pending for updation as on 19.06.2023 for more than three years. Updation of Life Certificates in our application software is important for ensuring continued disbursement of pension without any stoppage or breaks and to avoid any undue harassment or problems for the pensioners.

3. In light of the significantly large number of Digital Life Certificates (DLCs) pending for updation for more than three years, it is imperative to initiate proactive actions for bridging the gap of pensions who are not receiving pension by updating DLCs pending for more than three years. To this end, a month long special drive is initiated w.e.f. 20.06.2024 where newly recruited Social Security Assistants (SSAs) will visit the concerned pensioners under the guidance of their mentors to provide doorstep services to pensioners using this App and facilitate submission of pending DLCs.

4. The detailed process for the said drive is as below:

1. Creation of groups: Each group of upto 10 SSAs would have one mentor of AO/EO level who will guide them in their field visit.
2. Identification of pending DLCs: Regional Offices will compile list of DLCs that have been pending for more than three years through MIS 3.0. This list should include relevant details such as pensioners’ name, address, contact information, and the duration of pending DLC. The list may be sorted Pin code wise.
3. Training and Guidance: The Nodal Officers will train and guide the newly recruited SSAs and equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively communicate with pensioners and process to update the DLC online. It may be ensured that the assigned SSAs are as much as possible well versed with the local language of the area.
4. Assignment of SSAs: Nodal Officer would assign Pin code wise areas to be visited by SSAs. Each SSA is expected to visit at least 50 pensioners in a week. SSAs will schedule visits to the pensioners’ address in the assigned area under the guidance of their Nodal Officers.
5. Execution of Visits:
   1. Coordination with Pension Disbursing Banks: Firstly, SSAs will approach the pension paying branch of the banks and seek the following relevant details in respect of whereabouts of the pensioners:
      1. Status of Account (active/closed)/ month of last transaction
      2. Status of pensioner (if intimation of death recorded)
      3. Address of the pensioners as per records
      4. Contact number of pensioner and nominee/ family members
   2. Visit to Pensioners: Regional Offices will provide required logistical support including vehicles to the Officials deputed for this work. During the visits, SSAs will meet with the pensioners and/or their family members and assist them in completing the necessary documentation and procedures to update their pending DLCs. They will also address any queries or concerns raised by the pensioners regarding the process. There may be three scenarios:
      1. If pensioner is found at their given address, his/her DLC shall be submitted using Umang App. In case of failed biometric authentication for DLC, physical Life Certificate may be obtained.
      2. In case, the pensioner is not found at given address, the neighbours or Sarpanch or Local Governance Officials may be contacted to get the whereabouts of the pensioner and his /her family. If information on new address is obtained, the same shall be recorded.
      3. In case, it is found that pensioner is no more, the details of family would be recorded and necessary action to ensure start of family pension to eligible member shall be taken by Pension Section of the concerned Regional Office. If there is no eligible person for family pension, the same shall be recorded.
6. Recording Expenses: Regional Offices shall record the total cost incurred during the execution of this task, including TA/DA, transportation, accommodation (if applicable), and administrative expenses.
7. Examination of Rejections: In the event of any rejection of DLC updation, the assigned Nodal Officer shall thoroughly examine the reasons of rejection and provide necessary input to the Pension Section to rectify the issues.
8. Monitoring: Each Regional Office shall submit a detailed weekly report to the Zonal Office (ZO) outlining the following:
   1. Outcomes of the Initiative:
      1. Number of PPOs where pensioner is found and DLC updated
      2. Number of PPOs where pensioner Is not found alive
      3. Number of PPOs where pensioner is not found and new address taken, if available
   2. Total expenses incurred under each category in 9 (a)
   3. Challenges faced
   4. Suggestions

All ZOs shall further submit a monthly consolidated action taken report to the Head Office along with their inputs/comments/suggestions to HO.

5. Zonal Offices are requested to forward the details of the Nodal Officers for each RO in the format given below:

[This issues with the approval of ACC-HQ (Pension) ]

Yours sincerely

(Aprajita Jaggi)
Addl. Central P.F. Commissioner (Pension)

Copy to:
1. CVO- for kind information
2. FARCAO- for kind information
3. ACC-HQ (Audit)- for kind information
4. ACC-HQ (IS)- for kind information
5. All ACC-HQs and ACCs- for kind information
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