Tried everything from posting on X, replying to EPFO posts, raise grievance, send email, call epfo local office - nothing worked.

Only thing that helped the approval is visiting EPFO personally. It wasnt too crowded, thankfully!

Visited today, talked to the counter on the ground floor, they ask UAN, checked status and told me they are unable to see any details of the claim, server is down etc. 

I told i shall wait, im not leaving until i have some clarity on this. Sat there for 5 mins and they gave me a receipt to go n visit 1st floor accounts section.

Two things can happen, they take your claim id, uan and note it down at the ground floor entrance counters, they get it approved for all the visitors by evening from the accounts section. Or the second option is what I did, is to wait and talk to accounts department.

I thought that I have travelled so far, I'd make sure I get some clarity and leave rather than leave uncertain. 

This second option worked for me cos there werent many visitors and it was relatively free. But may not be the case all the time.

Visited around 1015 am: visited the accounts section by 10:45 or so, they took the visitor pass n checked the details and noted the reference number, UAN n said they'll approve it today

Exited epfo around 1105 am or so. Claim status changed to "The claim has been finally approved." around 11:57 am.

Havent received the amount yet though, claim amount is >5L

Hope this helps someone as I too was helped by one member here who told visiting would help me in expediting the claim approval

3rd July Illness Claim Approved : KR Puram Whitefield Office, Bangalore