EPFO EDLI Death Claim Settlement Rules: Weekends, Holidays Between Two Jobs Not To Be Counted As Break In Service

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) recently issued a clarification regarding the settlement of claims under the Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance (EDLI) Scheme. The clarification addresses instances where EDLI benefits were being denied or reduced due to misinterpretations of minor gaps in employment as a “break in service.” Specifically, the EPFO noted cases where weekends or holidays between leaving one job and starting another were incorrectly considered a break, leading to ineligibility for benefits, even when the total service duration exceeded 12 months.

To rectify this, the EPFO referenced a Government of India Notification (No. 299(E) dated 29.4.2021) and subsequent modifications (GSR No. 476(E) dated 18.7.2025) which aimed to ensure continuous service is recognized, even with minor gaps. The EPFO stated that Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, and other declared holidays between employment spells should not be considered a break in service, provided the transition between jobs is solely due to these non-working days.

The organization has directed Regional PF Commissioners to adhere to these guidelines when processing EDLI claims and has instructed the IS Division to update the EDLI module to reflect these changes. This ensures that eligible beneficiaries receive the full EDLI benefits to which they are entitled, as per the scheme’s objectives.

(Source：Zee News)