Widow Pension Scheme 2021: Know how to apply and avail benefits

The Widow Pension Scheme by the Government of India aims to assist widowed women with financial autonomy to a certain degree. The Scheme’s purpose is bringing monetary assistance to widows dependent on other family members after her husband's death.

Several state governments also offer assistance to widows who are poor to raise their standard of living.

Who is eligible for the scheme?

The scheme encompasses widows who are below the poverty line and aged between 18 and 60 years.

Applicants should be above 18 years of age, in line with the minimum age for marriage for girls in India.

Another condition is that the widow shouldn’t have remarried after the husband’s death. Women whose children are minors, or has older children unable to take care of her, can also apply for the scheme.

The Widow Pension Scheme will provide the widowed woman a monthly pension.

However, children or other family members will not be eligible for the financial benefit after the widow’s death.

The Widow Pension Scheme requires the following documents to register:

1. Applicant’s Aadhar card
2. Death certificate of her husband
3. Address proof
4. Income certificate
5. Proof of Age Certificate
6. Mobile Number
7. Bank Account Passbook
8. Passport Size Photo

The government will directly deposit the pension amount in the beneficiary widow’s bank account linked with her Aadhaar id.

In some states, pension schemes have different age criteria. For example, the Indira Gandhi Widow Pension Scheme offers financial help to widows aged between 40 and 60.

For what widow pension schemes offer in your state, you can check out the scheme online. Application can be filled either online or offline with the district social welfare department office.