How to Claim PPF, NSC, SCSS & Post Office Money After the Account Holder Dies

The short version: money in PPF, NSC, SCSS, SSY and post office deposits is claimed one of three ways after a death — (1) by the nominee, (2) by a legal heir with legal evidence (a succession certificate, probate, letter of administration, or a legal-heir certificate from a revenue authority), or (3) without legal evidence up to a limit of ₹5 lakh per account, on an indemnity-based claim. A valid nominee makes it simple; no nominee, above ₹5 lakh, usually means legal evidence.

The three ways a claim is settled

Small savings claims on death follow the Government Savings Promotion General Rules, 2018 (as amended). The claim is settled by nomination (Rule 15), or with legal evidence, or — where the balance is within the Ministry of Finance limit of ₹5 lakh per account and no legal evidence is produced within six months — without legal evidence on an indemnity-based claim (Rule 16).

If there's a nominee (the simplest path)

The nominee submits the claim form (Form 11) with the death certificate and their ID; the balance is paid to them. Where multiple nominees are named, each receives their specified share (and if a nominee has died, that share passes to the surviving nominees). Note that a nominee may have been named as an outright beneficiary or as a trustee for the legal heirs — so receiving the money isn't always the same as finally owning it. This is by far the fastest route, which is why keeping nominations current matters so much.

If there's no nominee — the ₹5 lakh line

Where no legal evidence is produced within six months of the death and the balance does not exceed ₹5 lakh, a legal heir can be paid without a succession certificate, on an indemnity-based claim. Above ₹5 lakh (or in disputes), the office requires legal evidence — see the next section for what now counts.

What counts as "legal evidence" above ₹5 lakh

Under the 2023 amendment, the above-₹5-lakh route accepts any of: a succession certificate (Indian Succession Act, 1925), probate, letters of administration, or a legal-heir certificate issued by the revenue authority not below the rank of Tahsildar having jurisdiction. The Tahsildar-certificate option is often faster and cheaper than a full court process — check which your office accepts.

Documents you'll need

• Death certificate (issued by the competent authority).
• The passbook, deposit receipt or certificate (or account statement).
• The claimant's identity/KYC proof.
• The claim form: Form 11 (settlement by nominee or legal heirs).
• For the no-legal-evidence route (≤₹5 lakh): Form 13 (affidavit), Form 14 (letter of disclaimer by other heirs), and Form 15 (bond of indemnity).
• For the above-₹5-lakh route: the legal evidence above (succession certificate/probate/letters of administration, or Tahsildar legal-heir certificate).

Keep originals safe; missing certificates slow everything down. The same court/evidence route often applies to unclaimed fixed deposits, and scheme detail is in the NSC complete guide and the PPF complete guide.

How to avoid putting your family through this

Two things: name a nominee on every account and tell your family the accounts exist. A nominee turns a court process into a counter visit.

(Reminder tool, not legal advice. Confirm current limits, forms and accepted evidence with your post office or bank.)

Frequently Asked Questions