EPFO available on WhatsApp, but don't rush to check your PF balance or statement yet

You can now check your Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) balance, view recent transactions and download your PF passbook directly on WhatsApp. The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has launched a new WhatsApp service that allows subscribers to access these details through a chatbot. But before you rush to check your PF balance or download your statement, note that the service is not working smoothly at the moment.The government launched the WhatsApp service last week to make it easier for subscribers to access basic EPFO services. Instead of visiting an EPFO office or using its website, members can now access these services through WhatsApp.What does the WhatsApp service offer?EPFO says subscribers can use the new service to check their latest PF balance, view details of their five most recent transactions and download their EPF passbook. The service will also provide personalised guidance and assistance to members completing requirements under the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY).How to check your PF balance on WhatsAppUsing the service is fairly straightforward. EPFO has provided a dedicated WhatsApp number, +91 87964 41800, which subscribers can use to access these facilities.To get started, save the number on your phone and open WhatsApp. Send a simple greeting, such as 'Hi', to the number. The verified EPFO account will respond with a welcome message and ask you to select your preferred language.Once you select a language, tap on the option to see all available services. Choose 'Check Balance' to request your latest PF balance. You can also explore the other options to access recent transactions and passbook-related services.EPFO has also shared a QR code that subscribers can scan to start a conversation with its official WhatsApp account.EPFO's WhatsApp service is not working smoothly yetWhile the service sounds helpful, subscribers trying to use it may not get the information they are looking for just yet. The WhatsApp chatbot is currently facing issues, with requests either failing or taking a long time to receive a response.When we tried the service, the initial welcome message and language selection worked without any trouble. However, after selecting the 'Check Balance' option, the chatbot returned an error message saying, "We couldn't complete that. Something went wrong. Please try again after some time."And it is not just about failed requests. Several users on social media have also reported delayed responses, with some saying they have had to wait for nearly an hour to receive a reply. Even after the wait, their requests have reportedly failed to go through.This means that although the service is officially live, subscribers may have to wait before they can reliably use it to check their PF balance or access their passbook. It is unclear whether the issues are due to heavy traffic following the launch or a technical problem with the service. EPFO has not yet clarified the reason behind the delays.- Ends