This scheme, administered by the Ministry of Defence, provides financial assistance to non-pensioner Ex-Servicemen up to the rank of Havildar or equivalent and their widows who are living in extreme poverty. It aims to offer a measure of relief to those in dire financial situations, ensuring a basic level of support.
Benefits
Eligible Ex-Servicemen or their widows receive financial assistance of ₹4,000 per month (disbursed annually). This assistance ceases upon the death of the recipient. In the case of an Ex-Serviceman’s demise, his widow must apply afresh to continue receiving the grant.
Eligibility
- Rank: Must be a non-pensioner Ex-Serviceman of Havildar rank or equivalent (Navy/AF) or below, or the widow of such a person.
- Age:
- Ex-Servicemen and widows should be at least 65 years old as of April 1 of the financial year in which they apply.
- If an Ex-Serviceman already receiving the grant passes away, his widow is eligible to apply regardless of her age at the time of his death.
Exclusions:
- Ex-Servicemen who are already receiving a pension are not eligible for this scheme.
Application Process
Online Application Steps:
- Visit the official application portal: Penury Grant Portal.
- Fill out the online application form and upload the required documents.
- Once submitted, an application number will be generated for future reference.
- Verification:
- The ZSWO will verify the submitted documents to ensure that the applicant does not receive income or pension from any other source, and that the information is accurate.
- Verified applications are then recommended by the ZSWO.
Processing at Kendriya Sainik Board:
- The Kendriya Sainik Board reviews the verified application and forwards it for final approval.
- Once approved, the payment process is initiated.
Subsequent Grant Renewal:
- Beneficiaries must submit an online life certificate, duly countersigned by the respective ZSWO, between December 1 and March 31 each year.
- Failure to upload a valid life certificate by the deadline will result in non-payment for that financial year.
Documents Required
Applicants must upload scanned copies of the following:
- All pages of the Ex-Serviceman’s Discharge Book (legible and unaltered).
- Proof of age if not mentioned in the Discharge Book.
- Identity Card issued by the Zonal Sainik Board.
- First page of the Bank Passbook or a canceled cheque (if bank details are not on the passbook).
- Aadhar Card.
- Certificate of Penury, signed by a Sarpanch/Patwari/BDO with an official seal.
Note: Ensure all documents are clearly legible and authenticated where required. Overwritten or illegible entries will not be accepted.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
How can I check my application status?
Visit the application status page and enter your DAK ID along with the verification code. -
What if I fail to submit my life certificate on time?
If the life certificate is not uploaded within the specified period, the grant will not be disbursed for that financial year. -
Can a widow apply for assistance if her Ex-Serviceman husband was receiving the grant?
Yes, the widow can apply even if she does not meet the age criteria, as long as her husband was previously receiving the grant.