The Subsistence Allowance scheme is a welfare initiative by the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund under the Department of Sainik Welfare, Puducherry. The objective is to provide financial assistance to WWII veterans, non-pensioner ex-servicemen above 60 years from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families, and their widows. This scheme aims to ensure a dignified living for eligible beneficiaries by crediting a fixed monthly amount directly to their bank accounts.
Benefits
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- Monthly Financial Support: Provides a fixed monthly allowance (₹10,000 or ₹9,000, depending on the category) to help cover living expenses.
- Direct Bank Transfer: Ensures transparency and efficiency by disbursing funds directly to the beneficiary’s account.
- Targeted Assistance: Aims at supporting WWII veterans, BPL non-pensioner ex-servicemen above 60 years, and their widows.
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Eligibility
To qualify for the Subsistence Allowance scheme, the following conditions must be met:
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- The applicant must be an ex-serviceman or the widow of an ex-serviceman.
- The applicant must be registered with the Department of Sainik Welfare, Puducherry.
- For non-WWII veterans, the beneficiary should be a non-pensioner ex-serviceman above 60 years belonging to a Below Poverty Line (BPL) family, or a widow of such a veteran.
- Applicants working in regular or deemed-to-be regular employment in Government/PSU/Private Organizations or self-employed individuals with assessed income tax are excluded.
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Application Process (Offline)
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- Obtain Application Form:
- Download the prescribed application form from the Official Website of the Department of Sainik Welfare, Puducherry, or
- Visit the Rajya Sainik Board at Jawan Bhawan (261, Lawspet Main Road, Pakkamudianpet, Puducherry Road, Lawspet, Puducherry – 605013) during working hours (Monday – Friday, 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM) to collect a hard copy.
- Fill and Attach Documents:
- Complete the application form by filling in all mandatory fields.
- Paste a recent passport-size photograph (signed across if required) and attach self-attested copies of all necessary documents.
- Submit the Application:
- Submit the duly filled and signed form along with the documents to the concerned authority at the Rajya Sainik Board.
- Receipt Issuance:
- On submission, the authority will make the necessary entries in the application receipt register and assign a unique number, which serves as an acknowledgment of receipt.
- Obtain Application Form:
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Documents Required
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- Identity Card: Proof of identity of the ex-serviceman or widow.
- Recent Passport-size Photograph.
- Life Certificate: Must be submitted by January every year to the respective bank for continued disbursement of the allowance.
- Additional documents may be required as per the specific guidelines provided by the department.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Which Department of Puducherry administers this scheme?
A1: The scheme is administered by the Department of Sainik Welfare, Puducherry.
Q2: Where can I find the URL of the Official Website of the Department of Sainik Welfare, Puducherry?
A2: The URL is available in the official guidelines and notifications on the department’s website.
Q3: Is self-attestation required for attaching documents with the application?
A3: Yes, documents must be self-attested if specified in the application guidelines.
Q4: Where can I find the contact details of the Public Information Officer and the Appellate Authority?
A4: Contact details are provided on the official website and in the scheme’s guidelines.
Q5: Are Short Service/Emergency Commissioned Officers eligible for the status of ex-servicemen?
A5: Eligibility is defined in the scheme’s guidelines; typically, only those meeting the standard definitions of ex-servicemen are eligible.
Q6: Is this scheme also applicable to the widows of ex-servicemen?
A6: Yes, the scheme benefits include widows of ex-servicemen in the eligible categories.
Q7: What is the procedure for seeking information through the Right To Information (RTI)?
A7: The RTI process is detailed on the official website of the Department of Sainik Welfare, Puducherry.
Q8: How can an applicant request a receipt or acknowledgment for the submitted application?
A8: A receipt is issued by the concerned authority at the time of submission, which includes a unique application number for further reference.
Q9: Can applicants track the status of their application for the scheme?
A9: Detailed guidelines on tracking application status are provided in the official scheme documents.
Q10: Is there any compensation for the delay in disbursal of the scheme benefits?
A10: Compensation details for delays, if any, are mentioned in the scheme’s official guidelines.
Q11: How can I contact the Department of Sainik Welfare, Puducherry for grievance redressal or general queries?
A11: Contact details such as address, phone number, and email are available on the official website and in the scheme documentation.
Q12: Can individuals with disabilities apply for this scheme?
A12: The scheme is specifically for ex-servicemen and their widows; eligibility for individuals with disabilities is subject to the definitions provided in the guidelines.