The National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) is a family welfare initiative under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) by the Ministry of Rural Development. This scheme provides lump sum financial assistance to bereaved households when the primary breadwinner, aged between 18 and 60 years, passes away—regardless of the cause of death. The benefit is paid to a surviving household member who is verified as the head of the household after a local inquiry.
Benefits
- Lump Sum Assistance:
- ₹20,000/- is provided as a one-time lump sum to the surviving member of the household who is determined to be the new primary breadwinner.
- Coverage:
- The scheme is applicable for every death of a primary breadwinner in a BPL family.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible under the NFBS, the following conditions must be met:
- Citizenship:
- The applicant must be a citizen of India.
- Family Income:
- The family must be living Below Poverty Line (BPL).
- Deceased Breadwinner:
- The primary breadwinner of the applicant’s family must have been deceased.
- The deceased must have been between 18 and 60 years of age at the time of death.
- Successor:
- The applicant must be the succeeding primary breadwinner of the family.
Note:
A beneficiary under this scheme cannot simultaneously claim benefits from any other similar scheme operated by the Government of India, Government of Puducherry, or local bodies.
Application Process
Offline & Online Options:
- Obtain the Application Form:
- Download or print the application form given in Annexure-III (page no. 47) of the scheme guidelines available on the NSAP website (NSAP Guidelines).
- Alternatively, the application form can be obtained free of cost from the District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO) or Tehsil Social Welfare Officer (TSWO).
- Fill the Application:
- Complete the application form and attach the required documents, including proof of age, income, status, address, and the death certificate of the deceased breadwinner.
- Submission:
- Submit the filled form to the designated officer appointed by the respective state government.
- The completed case file is first submitted to the concerned TSWO, who consolidates and forwards the cases to the Block Level Sanctioning Committee.
- Finally, the cases are submitted to the DSWO for sanction by the District Level Sanctioning Committee, headed by the Director General of the Social Welfare Department.
Apply Now:
Applicants may also sign in through the UMANG platform if available for the online application process.
Documents Required
Related to the Deceased Breadwinner:
- Death Certificate
- Proof of Identity
- Proof of Address
- BPL Card / Ration Card of the Family
- Family ID / Member ID
Related to the Family Member to be Assisted:
- Proof of Identity
- Proof of Address
- Proof of Age
- Family ID / Member ID
- Details of the Aadhaar Seeded Bank Account or Post Office Account
- Passport-size Photograph
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Will the benefits be provided monthly or as a lump sum?
The assistance is provided as a one-time lump sum of ₹20,000/-. - Who is determined to be the recipient of the benefit?
The surviving household member who is verified as the new head (primary breadwinner) after local inquiry. - What is the maximum amount of financial assistance per household?
Every eligible case of death of a primary breadwinner qualifies for a lump sum of ₹20,000/-. - If both parents were earning and one dies, which parent is considered the primary breadwinner?
The scheme examines the earnings and household role. The surviving parent who becomes the main provider is considered the primary breadwinner. - Are extended family members like uncles, aunts, and their children considered part of the household?
Only those who form the nuclear family or are recognized as members of the BPL household as per the official records are considered. - Where should the application form be submitted?
The form must be submitted to the designated officer at the local TSWO or DSWO as per the jurisdiction of the applicant. - Can a thumb impression be used instead of a signature if the applicant is illiterate?
Yes, provisions are made for thumb impressions on the application form for those unable to sign. - Where do I find my Family ID and Member ID?
These are provided on the BPL Card or can be obtained from the local Social Welfare Office.