The EPF customer care number is a toll free helpline run by EPFO for members, pensioners and employers: dial 14470 or 1800-118-005. The short code 14470 is routed to the same toll free line. For anything that needs a written record, such as a claim stuck for weeks, the EPFiGMS grievance portal works better than a call.
This independent page lists only numbers published by EPFO and the government, explains which channel suits which problem, and tells you what to have in front of you so the first contact solves it.
Quick facts
EPFO helpline
14470 (short code)Toll free number
1800-118-005Balance by missed call
9966044425 from the UAN mobileBalance by SMS
EPFOHO UAN ENG to 7738299899Grievance portal
Office list
Contact us section on epfindia.gov.inDistrict camps
Nidhi Aapke Nikat, 27th of each monthCharges
All EPFO services are free
Which EPF customer care number to call
EPFO publishes one helpline for everyone. The pf toll free number 1800-118-005 is the long form, and 14470 is the short code that the telecom department allotted to EPFO for help and grievances; calls on it are routed to the toll free line. Both reach the same service, so any pf contact number or epfo contact no shown elsewhere should match one of these two. Use them for questions such as why a claim was returned, how a form works, or what a status message means.
Balance checks do not need a call. The pf toll free number balance check most people want is actually the missed call service: give a missed call to 9966044425 from the mobile registered on your UAN, or send the SMS EPFOHO UAN ENG to 7738299899. Replace ENG with HIN for Hindi. Neither works unless the UAN is active and Aadhaar, PAN or bank is already seeded. The balance guide covers the replies in detail.
Pick the channel by problem
| Your problem | Best channel |
|---|---|
| General question, form doubt | Helpline 14470 or 1800-118-005 |
| Claim pending well past normal time | EPFiGMS grievance |
| Claim rejected and reason unclear | Read the reason on claim status, then grievance |
| Employer not depositing PF | EPFiGMS grievance with salary slips |
| Name or date of birth mismatch | Correction route on the KYC page |
| Pension stopped or not credited | Pensioner category on EPFiGMS, or the PF office |
| Employer closed, no one to approve | Regional PF office help desk |
How to register an EPFiGMS grievance
EPFiGMS is the official grievance system. Every complaint gets a registration number and goes to the office that handles your account.
- Open epfigms.gov.in and choose Register Grievance.
- Pick your category: PF member, EPS pensioner, employer, or others for people with no UAN or PPO.
- Enter UAN and captcha, then click Get Details. An OTP goes to your registered mobile.
- After the OTP, fill in your address details.
- Click the PF account number concerned, choose the grievance type and describe the problem in plain words.
- Attach supporting documents and click Add, then submit.
- Save the registration number sent by SMS and email.
Use View Status to track it and Send Reminder if it goes quiet. Grievances are meant to be resolved in about 30 days, and unresolved ones move up to higher offices.
What to keep ready before you contact EPFO
- UAN, and the old member ID if the issue is with a past employer.
- Claim or grievance reference number and the date you filed.
- The exact error or rejection text, copied word for word.
- Name of the employer and the establishment code if you know it.
- For pensioners: PPO number and the paying office.
- Salary slips showing PF deduction, if the employer has not deposited.
Keep these for yourself. The helpline will verify you through OTP on your registered mobile when needed. Nobody from EPFO needs your password.
Fake helpline numbers are common in search results and on social media. A caller who asks for an OTP, a screen share or a fee to release PF is not EPFO. Hang up, change your password through password reset, and report it.
PF office: regional offices, timing and visits
EPFO works through regional and district offices across the country, under zonal offices and the head office in New Delhi. The provident fund office that holds your account is decided by your employer's establishment code, not by where you live. The Contact us section of epfindia.gov.in lists each office with its address and published contact details, including each pf office contact number.
Visit a PF office when a task needs paper: a death claim, a joint declaration from a closed employer, or a long unresolved grievance. Offices follow normal government working days and hours, closed on public holidays. Carry original ID and photocopies. On the 27th of every month, or the next working day if it is a holiday, EPFO holds Nidhi Aapke Nikat camps in districts, with help desks for members and pensioners.
EPFO head office contact number and email
Many people look for an epfo email id or the head office contact number. The head office handles policy, not individual accounts, so your complaint will be sent back to your regional office anyway. Use the helpline or EPFiGMS first. If you still need an office address, number or email, copy it only from the Contact us page on the official site; this guide does not list email addresses, because unofficial ones circulate widely.
If EPFiGMS fails you after the normal time, the central government's public grievance system, CPGRAMS, also accepts EPFO complaints.
A sample grievance that gets answered
Subject: Final settlement claim pending for 45 days. Text: My Form 19 claim was filed online and shows under process for 45 days. KYC, Aadhaar and bank are verified. Date of exit is marked. Please settle the claim or tell me what document is needed. Attached: claim acknowledgement and passbook page.
Short, factual and with the reference number, a grievance like this is easier to act on than a long angry one. If your issue is a stuck claim, also read PF withdrawal to check you filed the right type.
Frequently asked questions
Is the EPFO helpline free?
1800-118-005 is a toll free number. 14470 is a short code routed to it. Normal charges, if any, depend on your mobile plan.
Is there a separate UAN helpline number?
No. UAN, PF, pension and employer questions all go to the same EPFO helpline, 14470 or 1800-118-005.
Is there an EPF complaint number?
Use the helpline to complain by phone, but for a tracked complaint number register on EPFiGMS. For an employer who does not deposit PF, register a grievance on EPFiGMS under the PF member category, attach salary slips that show deductions, and name the employer.
How long does EPFO take to reply to a grievance?
The target is about 30 days. You can send a reminder from the same portal, and unresolved grievances move to higher offices.
How do I find my PF office address?
Your PF office depends on your employer's establishment code. Find the code from your member ID, then match it in the office list under Contact us on epfindia.gov.in.
Should I pay an agent to get my PF released?
No. Every EPFO service is free, and agents need your OTP, which puts your money at risk. File and follow up yourself.