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IEPF Assist

Claim dividends you never received

Dividend warrants lost, bank details outdated, or a dividend paid to the wrong account — we help you understand where the amount sits and how to claim it.

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Where does an unclaimed dividend go?

When a company declares a dividend and it is not paid or claimed, the company must keep it in a separate unpaid dividend account. If it remains unclaimed for seven years, the amount — and the shares on which dividends were unpaid for seven consecutive years — must be transferred to IEPF.

So the claim route depends on timing: before the transfer, you generally approach the company or its RTA; after it, the claim is made to the IEPF Authority through Form IEPF-5.

What this service involves

  • Locating the dividend

    Working out which financial years' dividends are outstanding and where they are held.

  • Updating records

    Where needed, updating bank mandate and KYC so future dividends reach you.

  • Making the right claim

    Approaching the company or filing an IEPF claim, depending on where the amount sits.

  • Tracking payment

    Following the claim until payment is credited or queries are resolved.

Who may need this service

  • Long-time shareholders

    Who stopped receiving dividends after a change of address or bank account.

  • Holders of lost warrants

    Dividend warrants that expired before being presented.

  • Heirs

    Who discover that a deceased relative never collected dividends.

Common problems we see

  • Bank details not on record

    Dividends could not be credited electronically.

  • Warrants expired

    Paper warrants were lost or not presented in time.

  • Dividends spread across many years

    Some may be with the company and some already with IEPF.

How the process generally works

The exact steps depend on the company, the type of holding and the facts of your case. This is a general outline.

  1. 1

    List the years and companies

    Note which dividends you believe were not received.

  2. 2

    Check with the company or RTA

    Ask whether the amounts are still in the unpaid dividend account.

  3. 3

    Update KYC and bank details

    So that payments can be made to the correct account.

  4. 4

    Claim from the company, or file IEPF-5

    Depending on where the amount is now.

  5. 5

    Receive payment

    Dividend paid by the company, or refunded by the IEPF Authority to the claimant's bank account.

How IEPF Assist can help

  • Identifying which dividend years may be pending
  • Helping with bank mandate and KYC updates
  • Preparing company or IEPF claims
  • Follow-up until closure

We are an independent consultancy. We help you prepare, organise and follow up — the decision on your request always rests with the company, the Registrar and Transfer Agent (RTA), the depository or the relevant authority.

Expected stages and possible delays

We cannot promise a completion date, because processing depends on third parties. Common reasons for delay include:

  • Company or RTA record gaps
  • Bank account or name mismatches
  • Verification time at the company
  • Queries from the authority

Frequently asked questions

Is there a time limit to claim a dividend?
Dividends unpaid for seven years are transferred to IEPF, but they can still be claimed from the IEPF Authority. They do not simply disappear.
Can I claim dividend without claiming the shares?
The claim depends on what was transferred. Often both shares and dividend are involved. We can help you understand your case.

Related services

IEPF Claim Assistance

Help preparing and following up an IEPF-5 claim for shares or dividends transferred to the Investor Education and Protection Fund.

Read more

RTA KYC Update

Help completing PAN, nomination, contact, bank and signature details with the company's RTA.

Read more

Unclaimed Shares Recovery

Help locating and recovering old, forgotten or unclaimed shares — whether held in the company's books, with an RTA, or transferred to IEPF.

Read more

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Discuss your case with us

Tell us what you know about the shares or documents. We will explain the likely route and what to keep ready.

Request Consultation

Last updated 18 Oct 2026. This page is general information, not legal or financial advice.

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