The National Family Benefit Scheme (Maharashtra) is a social welfare initiative by the Social Justice & Special Assistance Department, Government of Maharashtra. This scheme is designed to support families living below the poverty line (BPL) by providing financial assistance when the primary breadwinner passes away, ensuring that families can cope with the immediate economic challenges during their time of loss.
Benefits
- Financial Assistance: A one-time payment of ₹20,000 is provided to help support the bereaved family.
- Social Security: Ensures that families living below the poverty line receive essential financial aid during critical times.
Eligibility
To qualify for the scheme, the following conditions must be met:
- Residency: The applicant must be a resident of Maharashtra.
- Relationship: The applicant should be a family member or dependent of the deceased primary breadwinner.
- Economic Status: The family should be living Below the Poverty Line (BPL).
- Age of Deceased: The deceased should have been between 18 and 59 years old at the time of death.
Application Process
Offline Application
- Obtain the Application Form:
- Visit the Collector Office, Tahsildar, or Talathi office in your district during office hours and request a hard copy of the prescribed application form from the concerned authority.
- Fill the Form:
- Complete all mandatory fields on the form, affix a passport-sized photograph (signed across if required), and attach self-attested copies of all necessary documents.
- Submit the Application:
- Submit the duly filled and signed application form along with the required documents to the concerned authority within the prescribed period.
- Obtain Acknowledgement:
- Request a receipt or acknowledgement from the authority, ensuring it includes essential details such as the date, time of submission, and a unique identification number if applicable.
Documents Required
- Identity Proof of the Applicant: Aadhaar Card or Voter ID Card.
- Identity Proof of the Deceased: Aadhaar Card.
- Death Certificate of the deceased person.
- FIR Copy (if applicable).
- Proof of Age of the deceased.
- Below Poverty Line (BPL) Card or Ration Card.
- Caste Certificate (if applicable).
- Address Proof.
- Bank Passbook/Bank Account Details.
- Any Other Documents as required by the scheme guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the National Family Benefit Scheme (Maharashtra)?
A1: It is a social welfare scheme that provides a one-time lump sum financial assistance of ₹20,000 to BPL families upon the death of their primary breadwinner.
Q2: Who implements the scheme in Maharashtra?
A2: The scheme is implemented by the Social Justice & Special Assistance Department, Government of Maharashtra.
Q3: Who is eligible for this scheme?
A3: Eligible applicants are family members or dependents of the deceased primary breadwinner from BPL households, residing in Maharashtra.
Q4: How much financial assistance is provided under the scheme?
A4: The scheme provides ₹20,000 as one-time financial assistance.
Q5: What is the age limit for the deceased breadwinner?
A5: The deceased should have been between 18 and 59 years old at the time of death.
Q6: Does the family need to be from a BPL household?
A6: Yes, the family must be living Below the Poverty Line (BPL) to be eligible for the scheme.
Q7: Who can apply for the scheme?
A7: The application must be submitted by a family member or a dependent of the deceased primary breadwinner.
Q8: Where should I submit the application?
A8: Applications should be submitted at the Collector Office, Tahsildar, or Talathi office in the applicant’s district.
Q9: What documents are required for the application?
A9: Required documents include identity proofs (Aadhaar/Voter ID), the death certificate, FIR copy, proof of age, BPL card or ration card, caste certificate (if applicable), address proof, bank details, and any other documents specified by the guidelines.
Q10: Is there an application form for this scheme?
A10: Yes, a prescribed application form is available at the Collector Office/Tahsildar/Talathi office.
Q11: Is the scheme applicable to non-BPL families?
A11: No, the scheme is strictly for families living Below the Poverty Line (BPL).