Launched in 2016 by the Department of Women & Child Welfare, Government of Sikkim, the National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) provides financial assistance to families of Below Poverty Line (BPL) households in the event of the death of their primary breadwinner. Under this scheme, a one-time grant of ₹30,000 is provided, consisting of a central share of ₹20,000 and a state share of ₹10,000. The scheme aims to support bereaved households—including spouses, minor children, unmarried daughters, and dependent parents—by ensuring they receive crucial financial relief.
Benefits
- One-Time Financial Assistance:
A lump sum of ₹30,000 is provided to eligible households upon the death of the primary breadwinner. - Funding Structure:
The grant comprises ₹20,000 from the Central Government and ₹10,000 from the State Government.
Eligibility
- Residency:
The applicant must be a resident of Sikkim. - BPL Category:
The applicant must belong to a Below Poverty Line (BPL) family. - Breadwinner Status:
The scheme applies when the primary breadwinner of a family dies. (Note: A homemaker in the family is also considered a “breadwinner.”) - Bank Account Requirement:
The household must have an account opened under the “Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana.”
Application Process
Offline
- Obtain Application Form:
- Approach the respective State Social Welfare Department and collect the application form from the designated officer.
- Fill and Attach Documents:
- Complete all mandatory fields in the form.
- Attach all required self-attested documents.
- Submission and Verification:
- Submit the completed application to the designated receiving authority.
- The Selection Committee will scrutinize the application, and upon approval by the Secretary, the grant will be sanctioned.
- Disbursement:
- The financial assistance is disbursed through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system or any other approved system.
Online Process Registration:
Step 02: Click “Create Account”. On the registration page, fill in the mandatory details (Username, Gender, First Name, Last Name, Email, Mobile Number, and Password). Fill in the Captcha Code and click “Register”. The login credentials will be sent to your registered Email ID / Mobile Number.
Application:
Step 02: Click “Apply now” and log in.
Step 03: On the application page, fill in all the mandatory fields and upload the required documents in the appropriate file size and file type. Upon successful submission of the application, a system-generated application number will be provided as acknowledgment. Please keep it safe for future reference.
Check Application Status:
The status, viz. Approval or Rejection if any will be conveyed to the applicant through an SMS.
Documents Required
- Three recent passport-size photographs.
- Attested photocopy of the Sikkim Subject Certificate or Certificate of Identification (Income certificate, Caste certificate, as applicable).
- Attested photocopy of the Below Poverty Line Certificate.
- Birth Certificate, EPIC, or any other valid document recording the date of birth of the deceased primary breadwinner.
- Attested copy of Aadhaar Card.
- Attested photocopy of the first page of the Bank/Post Office Passbook along with the latest updated account details.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much financial assistance is provided under the scheme?
The family receives a one-time grant of ₹30,000. - Is financial assistance given for every case of death?
Assistance is provided only in the event of the death of the primary breadwinner in a BPL household. - Who is eligible under this scheme?
The scheme is for families belonging to the Below Poverty Line category in Sikkim. - Is the scheme applicable only for the BPL category?
Yes, only BPL families are eligible. - Who is included in the household under the scheme?
The household includes the spouse, minor children, unmarried daughters, and dependent parents of the deceased. - Can a homemaker be considered a “breadwinner”?
Yes, a homemaker is considered a breadwinner under this scheme. - What is the mode of application?
Applications can be submitted either offline or online through the designated process. - How can I register under this scheme?
Contact your respective State Social Welfare Department to obtain the application form and follow the submission guidelines.