EPS Scheme Certificate Now Available On UMANG App

The Labour Ministry in a statement notified that the EPS members can now apply for Scheme Certificate under Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS) on the UMANG app.

"The Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance (UMANG) has been a big hit among EPF subscribers enabling them to access services during COVID-19 pandemic from the comfort of their homes in a hassle free manner. Adding to the 16 services already on the Umang App, EPFO has now started another facility enablinng EPS members to apply for Scheme Certificate under Employees' Pension Scheme, 1995," the ministry said.

A scheme certificate is issued to members who withdraw their EPF contribution but wish to retain their membership with EPFO, to avail pension benefits on the attainment of retirement age. A member becomes eligible for pension only if he has been, cumulately, a member of the Employees' Pension Scheme, 1995 for at least 10 years.

Upon joining a new job, Scheme Certificate ensures that previous pensionable service is added to pensionable service rendered with the new employer thereby, increasing the amount to be received as pension benefits. Further, Scheme Certificate is also useful for family members to avail family pension, in case of the untimely death of the eligible member.

"The ease of applying for Scheme Certificate through UMANG App will now help members avoid unnecessary hardship of physically applying for it, especially during pandemic times and will also eliminate unnecessary paperwork. The facility shall benefit over 5.89 crore subscribers," the ministry said.

"By successfully bringing state-of-the-art technology to the doorstep of its subscribers, EPFO has remained to be most popular service provider on UMANG App. Out of the 47.3 crore hits clocked by the app since August 2019, 41.6 crore or 88% of them were meant for EPFO services," it added.

To avail EPF/EPS related services on UMANG App, users need to have an active Universal Account Number (UAN) and a mobile number registered with the EPFO.