West Bengal Old Age Pension Scheme – ₹1,000 Monthly AidScheme StatusScheme Status

Launched in 2010 by the West Bengal state government through the Women and Child Development and Social Welfare Department, the Old Age Pension scheme is a compassionate initiative designed to provide financial support to senior citizens. This scheme targets persons above 60 years who are unable to work and earn a living. For physically or mentally handicapped individuals, the eligibility age is reduced to 55 years.

Benefits

  • Monthly Pension:
    Beneficiaries receive ₹1,000/- per month via direct benefit transfer.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Residency:
    The applicant must be a resident of West Bengal for at least ten years (the government may relax this in cases of undue hardship).
  • Age Requirement:
    • General: 60 years or above.
    • For physically or mentally handicapped: 55 years or above.
  • Income Criterion:
    The applicant’s income should not exceed ₹1,000/- per month.
  • Dependency:
    The applicant should not have any relative (son, grandson, husband, wife, unmarried daughter, or parents) capable of providing financial support.
  • Pension Exclusion:
    Applicants must not be recipients of any other government pension (e.g., Disability, Widow, Farmers’ or Political Sufferers’ Pension).
  • Exclusions:
    • Professional beggars and mendicants in urban areas are not eligible.
    • Persons already receiving other state or central government pensions are excluded.

Application Process (Offline)

  1. Obtain Application Form:
    • The form (Form-P) is available free of cost at designated offices:
      • Rural Areas: Office of the Block Development Officer or Executive Officer of the concerned Panchayat Samity.
      • Municipal/Notified Areas (outside Kolkata Municipal Corporation): Office of the Sub-Divisional Officer.
      • Within Kolkata Municipal Corporation: Office of the Controller of Vagrancy, West Bengal at Purta Bhawan, Bidhan Nagar, Kolkata-700091.
  2. Submission:
    • The completed application form should be addressed to the District Magistrate of the concerned district and submitted to the appropriate local office based on the applicant’s area of residence.
  3. Assistance:
    • For queries, District Nodal Officers can be contacted.

Documents Required

  • Self-attested copy of Aadhaar Card
  • Copy of Ration Card
  • Copy of Voter ID
  • Copy of Disability Certificate (if applicable)
  • Copy of Income Certificate
  • Copy of Husband’s Death Certificate (if applicable)
  • Copy of Bank Passbook
  • Nomination Form (in case of death)
  • Passport-size Photograph

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • What is the Old Age Pension scheme?
    A state-run initiative to provide financial support to senior citizens who are unable to work.

  • What are the benefits?
    Beneficiaries receive a monthly pension of ₹1,000/-.

  • Who can get the benefits?
    Residents of West Bengal aged 60 years and above (or 55 years for handicapped individuals) who meet the income and dependency criteria.

  • What is the financial eligibility criteria?
    The applicant’s income should not exceed ₹1,000/- per month.

  • Can applicants from other states get this benefit?
    No, only residents of West Bengal are eligible.

  • What is the minimum residency requirement?
    At least ten years of residence in West Bengal (subject to relaxation in cases of hardship).

  • How can one apply for the scheme?
    By obtaining and submitting the application form (Form-P) from the designated local offices.

  • Can the application form be downloaded online?
    The scheme requires offline submission; forms are obtained in person at the designated offices.

  • What documents are required?
    Refer to the documents list above.

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