Unclaimed Dividends: How to Recover What’s Yours
Dividends are a great way for shareholders to earn passive income, but many dividends go unclaimed due to various reasons—change of address, unlinked bank accounts, or failure to encash dividend warrants. If a dividend remains unclaimed for 7 years, it is transferred to the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF). However, you can still reclaim your rightful funds by following a structured process.
Why Do Dividends Go Unclaimed?
🔹 Shareholder moved to a new address, and dividend cheques were not received.
🔹 Bank account details were not updated with the company or Depository Participant (DP).
🔹 Dividend warrants were misplaced or expired.
🔹 Unaware of dividend declaration due to lack of communication from the company.
Step-by-Step Guide to Recover Unclaimed Dividends
1️⃣ Check the Status of Your Dividends
- Visit the company’s website or IEPF Portal to check if you have any unclaimed dividends.
- Use your folio number or Demat account details to track missing payments.
2️⃣ Submit a Claim to the Company or IEPF
- If the unclaimed dividends are less than 7 years old, submit a claim to the company’s Registrar & Transfer Agent (RTA).
- If the dividends have been transferred to the IEPF, file an IEPF-5 form through the official IEPF website.
3️⃣ Provide the Required Documents
To process your claim, you need:
✅ PAN & Aadhaar of the shareholder
✅ Canceled cheque and updated bank details
✅ Original dividend warrants (if available)
✅ Client Master List (CML) from the DP (if shares are in Demat)
✅ Indemnity bond and affidavit (for IEPF claims)
4️⃣ Verification & Approval
- The company or IEPF Authority will verify your documents and claim.
- Additional confirmations may be required from the Nodal Officer of the company.
5️⃣ Refund Processing
- If the claim is with the company, funds are directly transferred to your bank account.
- If filed through IEPF, approval and refund processing may take 3-6 months.
How Palvesh Associates Can Help
🔹 Complete Documentation Assistance – We prepare and submit all necessary forms.
🔹 Liaison with Companies & Authorities – We handle communications with RTAs, IEPF, and regulatory bodies.
🔹 Fast & Hassle-Free Processing – We streamline the process to ensure quick recovery of your dividends.
📞 Need help reclaiming your unclaimed dividends? Contact Palvesh Associates today! Our experts will guide you through the process with ease.