The Employee State Insurance (ESIC) scheme provides an ESI card, also known as a Pehchan card, to its beneficiaries, enabling access to healthcare services at all ESI network dispensaries and hospitals. This card contains comprehensive employee details. Administered by the Employees' State Insurance Corporation, the scheme, mandated for firms employing over 10 workers, safeguards workers against medical emergencies as per the ESI Act, 1948, under the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
Employee State Insurance Scheme: An overview
The Employees’ State Insurance Scheme, enshrined in the Employees’ State Insurance Act, serves as a comprehensive social insurance mechanism. Its primary objective is to safeguard 'employees' as defined in the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948, from the adverse effects of sickness, maternity, disability, and employment-related death. Additionally, it offers medical care to insured individuals and their families. The scheme is applicable to various establishments, including factories, road transport, hotels, restaurants, cinemas, newspapers, shops, and educational/medical institutions, employing ten or more persons.
The main benefits provided under ESI Scheme are:
- Sickness benefit
- Disablement benefit
- Dependants’ benefit
- Maternity benefit
- Medical benefit
In addition to the mentioned benefits, beneficiaries also receive support for confinement expenses, funeral expenses, vocational and physical rehabilitation, unemployment allowance (RGSKY), and skill enhancement training.
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What is ESIC card?
The ESIC card, also known as the Pehchan card, is issued under the Employees' State Insurance (ESI) scheme. It serves as a health card for beneficiaries, enabling access to healthcare services at ESI network dispensaries and hospitals. The card contains comprehensive details of the employee and facilitates availing medical benefits under the scheme. You can check out the detailed ESIC card benefits, features, components and more to get a better understanding of this Pehchan card.
Step-by-step guide to download ESIC card
Given below are the steps to download the ESIC card:
Step 1: Go to the ESIC e-Pehchan Portal.
Step 2: Navigate to the 'Employee' tab and select 'e-Pehchan card'.
Step 3: Enter the 'Employee Insurance number' and click 'View'.
Step 4: Under 'Registration Employee Details', select 'View counter foil'.
Step 5: The e-Pehchan card counterfoil will appear for the insured person.
Step 6: The employer prints the counterfoil and provides it to the employee.
Step 7: The employee submits their photograph and dependent photos to the employer for attestation.
Step 8: After attestation, the employer submits the e-Pehchan counterfoil to the nearest ESIC office to obtain the ESI card.
The process begins with the employer downloading a Pehchan application form from the ESIC portal and completing the employee's details. The employee then provides a family photograph, including dependents, for attestation by the employer. Upon signing the form, the employee takes it along with their dependents to the nearest ESIC office, where their photos and fingerprints are captured. Within 30 days, the insured person receives a set of 2 cards, either through courier delivery or by visiting the nearest ESIC branch for collection.
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