These 5 government schemes are a boon for the poor! From rations to pensions... everything is provided for..

Government Pension Schemes: If you fall below the poverty line (BPL), the government offers five pension schemes. These schemes provide monthly financial assistance to the elderly, widows, disabled individuals, and economically disadvantaged families. All of these schemes fall under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), which is run by the Ministry of Rural Development. You can avail yourself of these schemes online or offline. Let's take a simple look at the various schemes and how to apply them.

What is the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)?
The NSAP is a fully central government-funded scheme that provides social security and financial assistance to people living below the poverty line (BPL).
This scheme is applicable in both urban and rural areas. There are five main schemes under the NSAP:

⦁ Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS)
⦁ Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS)
⦁ Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS)
⦁ National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS)
⦁ Annapurna Scheme

1. Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS)

Under this scheme, the government provides a pension to senior citizens aged 60 years and above. Senior citizens aged 60 to 79 receive ₹200 per month from the central government. Those aged 80 and above receive ₹500 per month. State governments can also add their own funds to this scheme if they wish. Applicants must be from a BPL family and above 60 years of age.

2. Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS)

This scheme is for widowed women aged 40 to 79 years who come from BPL families. Widows aged 40–79 years receive a pension of ₹300 per month. Widows above 80 years of age receive ₹500 per month. To qualify, the woman must be a widow, and the family must be below the poverty line.

3. Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS)

This scheme is for those aged 18 to 79 years who have severe or multiple disabilities. Eligible disabled individuals receive a pension of ₹300 per month. Those above 80 years of age receive ₹500 per month. A disability certificate is required, and the individual must be living below the poverty line.

4. National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS)

This scheme is for families whose primary breadwinner dies for any reason between the ages of 18 and 59. Such families receive a lump sum assistance of ₹20,000 to help them cope with financial hardship. The deceased person must be the primary breadwinner, and the family is in the BPL category.

5. Annapurna Scheme

This scheme is for senior citizens who are eligible for IGNOAPS (Old Age Pension Scheme) but are not receiving a pension for some reason. The government provides 10 kg of free grain every month to such individuals. The elderly must be 65 years of age or older, living below the poverty line, and not receiving a pension.

Significant Features of NSAP Schemes
Eligible beneficiaries are identified at the Gram Panchayat and Municipality levels. Approximately 94% of beneficiaries receive funds through DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) to their bank or postal account. In some cases, if individuals cannot visit the bank, cash delivery can be made at their doorstep. A Nodal Secretary in each state oversees these schemes. Quarterly reporting is mandatory; otherwise the next installment of central assistance is withheld.

How to apply online?
⦁ The government has made NSAP schemes available on the UMANG App and website. You can apply from the comfort of your home. To apply, download the UMANG App or visit the website (https://web.umang.gov.in). Log in with your mobile number or create a new account. Type “NSAP” in the search bar. Click “Apply Online.” Fill in your information, enter bank details, upload a photo, and click “Submit.”
⦁ For offline applications, you can fill out the form at your Gram Panchayat office, Municipality, or Block Development Office (BDO).

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Dainik Jagran. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.