Launched on 15th August 1995, the National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) is a social security initiative by the Social Welfare Department, Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The scheme is designed to provide financial relief to bereaved families living below the poverty line (BPL) in the unfortunate event of the death of their primary breadwinner.
Benefits
- Financial Assistance: One-time lump sum assistance of ₹20,000/- is provided to the affected family.
- Objective: The scheme ensures financial support to BPL families to help them cope with the economic impact of losing their primary income source.
Eligibility
To qualify for the scheme, the applicant must meet the following criteria:
- The applicant should be a resident of Jammu and Kashmir.
- The applicant should be a family member or dependent of the deceased person.
- The deceased should have been the primary breadwinner (i.e., the main earning member of the family).
- The family of the deceased must belong to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category.
- The deceased must have been between 18 and 59 years old at the time of death.
- The application must be submitted within one year of the death of the primary breadwinner (husband, wife, or son).
Application Process
Offline Process
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Collect the Application Form:
- Visit the Tehsil Social Welfare Officer (TSWO) in your area during office hours.
- Request a hard copy of the prescribed application form from the concerned authority.
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Complete the Application Form:
- Fill in all the mandatory fields.
- Attach a passport-sized photograph (signed across, if required).
- Self-attest all required documents before submission.
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Submit the Application Form:
- Submit the duly filled and signed application form along with the required documents within the prescribed period to the TSWO.
- Obtain an acknowledgment receipt from the concerned authority.
Post-Application Process
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Verification Process:
- The TSWO verifies the submitted forms and forwards them to the District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO) for review.
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Approval & Fund Disbursement:
- The District Level Committee reviews the application and sanctions the financial assistance.
- The approved amount of ₹20,000/- is directly credited to the beneficiary’s bank account.
Note:
- Ensure you take a photocopy of the filled application form and acknowledgment receipt for reference.
- Submit your application within the prescribed time frame (one year from the date of death).
Documents Required
- Aadhaar Card (of applicant and deceased)
- Passport-size Photograph
- Identity Proof (e.g., Voter ID Card, Driving License)
- Death Certificate of the deceased person
- Proof of Age of the deceased person
- Below Poverty Line (BPL) Card / Ration Card
- Caste Certificate (if applicable)
- Address Proof
- Bank Passbook / Bank Account Details
- Any other document as required
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS)?
The NFBS is a one-time financial assistance scheme that provides ₹20,000/- to the dependents of a deceased primary breadwinner belonging to a Below Poverty Line (BPL) family.
Q: How much financial assistance is provided under the NFBS?
A lump sum of ₹20,000/- is provided as financial relief to the family.
Q: Who is eligible to apply for the NFBS?
Only dependents (spouse, children, or close family members) of a deceased breadwinner who was between 18 and 59 years of age and belonged to a BPL family can apply.
Q: What is the age limit for the deceased breadwinner?
The deceased must have been between 18 and 59 years old at the time of death.
Q: What type of death qualifies for assistance under the NFBS?
The scheme covers all natural and accidental deaths except suicide or unlawful activities.
Q: How is the payment disbursed to the beneficiary?
The ₹20,000/- is transferred directly to the beneficiary’s bank account after approval by the District Level Committee.
Q: What is the objective of the NFBS?
The scheme aims to provide financial relief to BPL families who lose their main earning member, helping them deal with economic hardships.
Q: Can the application be submitted online?
Currently, applications are only accepted offline through the Tehsil Social Welfare Office (TSWO).
Q: What documents are required to apply for the NFBS?
Key documents include Aadhaar Card, Death Certificate, BPL Card, Identity Proof, and Bank Account Details.