File an EDLI death claim via the employer when an EPF member dies in service; nominee or legal heir applies.
Jurisdiction
Central — Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), Ministry of Labour and Employment
Who applies
Nominee, legal heir, or family member of a deceased EPF member who died while in service (i.e., while covered under an EPFO-registered establishment) and is entitled to claim the Employees' Deposit Linked Insurance (EDLI) benefit of up to ₹7 lakh.
Typical time
30–60 working days from submission of complete documents. Online submission through employer can reduce timelines.
Fee
Nil — no fee charged by EPFO for EDLI death claim processing.
| # | Document | Type needed | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Form 5 IF (EDLI Claim Form) | Download / Print | Core claim form for EDLI insurance benefit; must be filled by the claimant (nominee/legal heir) and attested by the employer. |
| 2 | Death certificate of EPF member | Original | Primary proof of death; issued by the local municipal corporation or registrar of deaths. |
| 3 | Aadhaar card of claimant | Self-attested Copy | Identity proof of the person making the claim. |
| 4 | Bank passbook / cancelled cheque of claimant | Self-attested Copy | EDLI benefit is credited via NEFT to the claimant's bank account. |
| 5 | Proof of relationship / legal heir certificate(optional)Required if claimant is a legal heir and no valid e-Nomination is on record. | Self-attested Copy | Marriage certificate (for spouse), birth certificate (for children), or legal heir certificate issued by a court or revenue authority — required if no valid nomination exists. |
| 6 | Guardianship certificate (for minor nominees)(optional)Required only when the nominee or beneficiary is a minor. | Self-attested Copy | Required if nominee is a minor child; a natural guardian (parent) or court-appointed guardian files the claim on behalf of the minor. |
| 7 | Succession certificate (if no nominee and multiple heirs dispute claim)(optional)Required when no nomination and family disputes exist. | Notarised Copy | Court-issued succession certificate establishes right of the legal heir to receive EDLI benefit in contested or complex family situations. |
Original documents: Carry originals only for in-person visits — do not hand them over permanently unless explicitly required.
Collect the original death certificate from the local municipal corporation or registrar of deaths. This is the foundational document for all EPFO death claims (EDLI, EPF, EPS family pension).
Inform the HR / PF nodal officer of the employer about the employee's death. Request them to update the date of exit (reason: death) in the EPFO employer portal and to attest Form 5 IF.
Download Form 5 IF from the EPFO website. The claimant fills Part A (personal details, bank account, nomination details). The employer fills and attests Part B (employment details, EPF account number, date of death). A gazetted officer or bank manager can also attest if employer is unavailable.
Prepare self-attested copies of: death certificate, Aadhaar of claimant, bank passbook, and relationship proof (marriage/birth certificate, legal heir certificate). Originals may be asked for verification.
Submit the completed Form 5 IF and supporting documents to the EPFO regional office that has jurisdiction over the deceased member's last establishment. Also file EPF claim (Form 20) and EPS family pension claim (Form 10D) simultaneously to avoid multiple visits.
EPFO verifies the employment record, EPF balance, and average balance in the preceding 12 months to compute the EDLI benefit. The maximum benefit is ₹7 lakh (30 times average monthly wage, capped at ₹7 lakh). Sanction order is issued and amount is credited via NEFT to the claimant's bank account.
Deceased member's employer — HR / Accounts
Form attestation and employer update — fills Part B of Form 5 IF and updates exit as 'death' in employer portal.
Certifies employment period, EPF account details, and confirms death during service.
EPFO Regional Office
Claim sanction — verifies documents, calculates EDLI benefit, and authorises NEFT payment.
Processes EDLI claim and sanctions payment to claimant.
Verify deceased member's EPF balance, passbook history, and existing nomination before filing.
Download Form 5 IF, Form 20 (EPF death claim), and Form 10D (EPS family pension).
Raise grievance if EDLI claim is not processed within 30 working days.
A death during service gives rise to three separate claims: EDLI benefit (Form 5 IF), EPF account balance (Form 20), and EPS family pension (Form 10D). File all three simultaneously to avoid repeated visits and delays. Each has a different calculation basis.
EDLI insurance is active only while the member is in employment and EPF contributions are being remitted. If the member died after resignation or retirement, EDLI does not apply. Verify the employment status at the date of death before filing.
If the deceased member did not update the e-Nomination, the claimant must obtain a legal heir certificate or succession certificate, which can take months. Encourage all working family members to keep EPF nomination updated.
If the employer has closed down, is uncooperative, or is untraceable, the claimant can approach the EPFO office with a declaration. EPFO may also accept attestation by a gazetted officer or bank manager in lieu of employer attestation in genuine hardship cases.
As per EPFO circulars from 2021, the minimum assured EDLI benefit is ₹2.5 lakh even if the average EPF balance formula yields a lower number. Maximum is ₹7 lakh. Families should not accept amounts below ₹2.5 lakh without questioning.