Here is a clear overview of Employee Death Benefits under EPFO(Employees’ Provident Fund Organization) and ESIC(Employees’ State Insurance Corporation).
EPFO (Employees’ Provident Fund Organization) – Death Benefits
Here’s a comprehensive overview of the EPFO employee death benefits, especially under the Employees’ Deposit-Linked Insurance (EDLI) and Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS):
Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance (EDLI) Scheme Death Benefit
Minimum ₹50,000 pay-out for members who die within one year of joining EPF. This covers over 5,000 cases annually
Service recognized even with job gaps any break up to 2 months between employments counts as continuous service, preserving access to benefits ranging from ₹2.5 lakh to ₹7 lakh
Benefit: One-time lump sum payment.
Amount: Up to ₹7,00,000 (based on last drawn salary and PF balance).
Eligibility: Member must have been in active service and contributing to EPF.
EPF Balance Benefit:
Full PF balance (employee + employer contribution + interest).
Paid to: Nominee/legal heir.
EPS – Pension for Dependents
Eligibility : If the employee had at least 1 month of pensionable service.
Under EPS‑95:
If a member dies while in service, the widow/widower receives 50% of pension, and up to two children (≤25 years) get 25% each.
If no spouse or the pensioner dies, the nominee, or failing that, parents, may receive the pension.
Benefit:
Monthly pension to widow/widower.
Children Pension for up to 2 children (till 25 years of age).
In absence of widow/children, dependent parents may get pension.
Combining EPF + EPS + EDLI – Claim Process
One must use the Composite Claim Form (incorporates Form 20 for EPF, Form 10D for EPS, and Form 5(IF) for EDLI)
Documents required:
- Death certificate
- Nominee’s Aadhaar & bank details
- DOB proof of children (for EPS pension).
Processing timeline:
7 working days under new 2025 Claim Settlement Rules—auto-claims (for under ₹50,000) settle in 3 days; others in 7 days.
Online submission available via the EPFO member portal if nominations & KYC are in place.
ESIC (Employees’ State Insurance Corporation) – Death Benefits
Here’s a comprehensive overview of ESIC death benefits under India’s Employees’ State Insurance Corporation
Dependent (Family) Pension :
If an insured person dies due to employment injury or occupational disease, their dependents are eligible for a monthly pension—typically 90% of the average daily wage, to be shared per statutory norms.
Eligible dependents include:
- Widow: for life or until remarriage.
- Children: up to 25 years of age.
- Dependent parents (e.g. widowed mother) or siblings in absence of spouse/children
First instalment should be released within 3 months; subsequent payments are monthly.
Funeral Expenses :
A lump sum of up to ₹15,000 (revised from ₹10,000 since March 2019) is paid to cover funeral rites.
Paid from day one of employment and disbursed promptly upon submission of Form 22 or 95-D
Medical Benefits for Dependents :
If dependents were receiving unemployment allowance, medical coverage continues for up to 12 months after the insured person’s death.
Dependents also retain access to free medical care, treatment appliances, etc.
Claim Process :
To receive death benefits, the following must be submitted at the nearest ESIC branch:
- Form 22 (funeral expense) or Form 95-D
- Claim form for dependents’ pension
- Death certificate
- Proofs of dependency (e.g. marriage, birth certificates, Aadhaar)
- Accident/employment-injury report, hospital bills, post-mortem, etc. if applicable
Recent Case Example :
In May 2025, ESIC approved a lifetime pension for a mother whose son died on duty in Salem underscoring the real-world impact and timeliness of these benefits.
