EPS pensioners can now submit digital life certificates at banks, post offices

Hyderabad: The ministry of labour and employment, on 16 November, said that all pensioners of Employees' Pension Scheme 1995 (EPS'95) can now submit their digital life certificate (DLC) or Jeevan Praman Patra (JPP) at banks disbursing pension and the nearest post offices.

In addition to the 135 regional offices and 117 district offices of EPFO, DLC can also be submitted at a nation-wide network of over 3.65 lakh common services centers (CSC). Apart from this, EPS pensioners can also submit their DLC using the UMANG app.

All pensioners of EPS'95 are required to submit DLC each year to continue drawing their pension. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Employees' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has facilitated multiple options for EPS pensioners to submit their DLC. DLC submitted through all these modes/agencies are equally valid.

As per fresh guidelines, EPS pensioners can now submit their DLC at any time during the year, as per their convenience. The life certificate will remain valid for one year from the date of submission of DLC. The pensioners who have been issued pension payment order (PPO) in 2020 need not upload JPP for a year. Earlier, all EPS pensioners were required to submit the DLC in November. But pensioners faced difficulties due to long queues which led to a rush in submitting the DLCs.

Recently, India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) launched doorstep DLC service for pensioners. EPS pensioners can now submit an online request for availing doorstep DLC service by paying a nominal fee. A postman from the nearest post office will visit the pensioner and complete the process of generating DLC at his/her home.

These initiatives will benefit approximately 67 lakh EPS pensioners out of which about 21 lakh are widow/widower, children, and orphan pensioners.