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PF Advance for Illness and Medical Treatment (2026 Rules)

By Kusum · Reviewed by Harish, Labour Consultant, Delhi on · Updated

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Independent guide by India Customer Care. We are not EPFO. Use only the official EPFO portals and the UMANG app for your account, and never share your password or OTP with anyone.

On this page
  1. Are you eligible?
  2. Apply
  3. Tax
  4. Frequently asked questions
  5. Sources
Show only what applies to you

Pick your situation. Parts of this page that don't apply will fold away. Your choice stays on this device.

Total PF service

Illness, yours or your family's, falls under the essential needs category. After 12 months of PF membership you can withdraw up to your eligible balance (75% of your EPF, with the employer's share), with no documents. Apply online; advances are usually settled automatically within days, and those up to ₹5 lakh qualify for auto-settlement.

Are you eligible?

12 months or more of membership

Yes. Apply for the advance under essential needs, illness.

Under 12 months

Not yet under the 2026 rules. If you transferred PF from an earlier job, that service counts: complete the transfer first. In an emergency, check whether your employer or hospital offers other help, and your health insurance or ESIC cover.

Apply

  1. Check KYC and bank are approved
  2. Online Services, Claim: choose PF advance
  3. Purpose: illness; enter the amount
  4. Aadhaar OTP; claim submitted
  5. Auto-settled and paid to your bank

Full steps: withdraw PF online. Need the money in days? Make sure your KYC is complete before you apply: that is what lets EPFO settle automatically.

Tax

A medical advance is taken while you are still in the job, which is different from a final settlement after leaving. The tax rules on our tax on PF withdrawal page are mainly about final settlement. If any TDS is shown on your advance, it appears in your Form 26AS and you can claim it back in your income tax return if your tax is lower.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a doctor's certificate?

EPFO says partial withdrawals under the new rules need no documents. The online claim asks you to choose the purpose and confirm with an Aadhaar OTP.

Can I withdraw for my parents' treatment?

Yes, illness of family members is covered under essential needs, as it was before.

Sources