EPFO Death Relief Fund 2025: Ex-Gratia Raised to ₹15 Lakh for Families of Deceased Employees
- Pratyush Banke
- Aug 22
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 9
EPFO increases Death Relief Fund to ₹15 lakh in 2025. Know eligibility, benefits, and how families of deceased employees can claim support.
Introduction
The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has announced a significant update for 2025, the Death Relief Fund (ex-gratia) has been increased from ₹8.8 lakh to ₹15 lakh, effective April 1, 2025. Families of deceased EPFO staff members will now receive higher financial support, along with a 5% annual hike starting in 2026.
This change brings much-needed relief to families coping with financial stress after the untimely loss of a loved one. Let’s break down what this update means, who is eligible, and how families can claim the benefit.
Lost a family member who worked with EPFO or in another organization?
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What is the EPFO Death Relief Fund 2025?
The EPFO Death Relief Fund is a financial support scheme provided to the families (nominee or legal heirs) of deceased EPFO staff members. It is paid out of the EPFO Staff Welfare Fund, ensuring that employees’ families are not left without help during tough times.
From April 2025, the ex-gratia amount has been officially raised to ₹15 lakh, replacing the earlier limit of ₹8.8 lakh.
Why Did EPFO Increase the Death Relief Fund in 2025?
The decision was approved by the Central Provident Fund Commissioner and the President of the Central Staff Welfare Committee in a circular dated August 19, 2025.
The reasons for the increase include:
Rising cost of living in India
Greater financial needs of dependent families
Alignment with welfare and social security goals
Additionally, the fund will now grow by 5% annually from April 1, 2026, ensuring families receive increasing support each year.
Eligibility for EPFO Death Relief Fund 2025
The benefit is applicable to:
Families of deceased EPFO staff members (not general EPF account holders)
Nominees or legal heirs of the deceased employee
Claims verified and approved through the Staff Welfare Fund framework
Note: This fund is different from the regular EPF member benefits (Provident Fund settlement, EPS pension, and EDLI insurance).
How to Claim the EPFO Death Relief Fund in 2025
To claim the revised ex-gratia:
The nominee or legal heir must submit a claim application to EPFO’s Staff Welfare Committee.
Required documents may include:
Death certificate of the employee
Proof of relationship (nominee declaration, legal heir certificate, etc.)
Identity and bank details of the claimant
The claim will be processed under the EPFO Staff Welfare Fund guidelines.
Families should check with their regional EPFO office for the exact claim submission process.
Not sure what benefits apply to your family — Staff Welfare Fund or regular EPF settlement?
Talk to a Kustodian.life expert for a quick eligibility check and claim guidance
Why This Change Matters for Indian Families
The sudden death of a breadwinner can leave families financially insecure. With this update:
Families now get ₹15 lakh as immediate relief, a big jump from the previous ₹8.8 lakh.
The 5% annual hike ensures the benefit grows over time.
It strengthens trust in EPFO’s commitment to employee welfare and social security.
For Indian families, especially in times of crisis, this can mean the difference between financial instability and stability.
Kustodian Experts’ Take
At Kustodian.life, our mission is simple: to simplify complex EPF, pension, and inheritance rules so that you and your loved ones can focus on what truly matters, financial security and peace of mind.
We closely track every EPFO update that impacts employees and their families. While the Death Relief Fund increase is specific to EPFO staff, we know that most regular EPF members’ families still struggle with claim delays, rejections, and confusion around critical issues like legal heir vs. nominee rights. Our goal is to bridge this gap and guide you through every step with clarity and confidence.
If you’d like to see how this update aligns with other recent changes, you can explore our detailed blog on All Major EPFO Rule Changes in 2025, where we’ve broken down every reform and its real-world impact.
Still unsure about how to file a claim or what benefits your family may be entitled to? Don’t worry, you’re not alone, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Remember, financial matters can feel overwhelming during an emotional time, but you don’t have to go through it alone.
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