About this social welfare scheme
The scheme aims to provide financial relief to destitute non-pensioner Ex-Servicemen and their widows. Through this scheme, financial assistance per month (paid annually) is provided for lifetime support.
The scheme "Financial Assistance for Ex-Servicemen in Penury" has been implemented by the Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB), Government of India. It is aims to provide a measure of relief to destitute non-pensioner Ex-Servicemen (ESM) up to the rank of Havildar/equivalent and their widows. Through this scheme, financial assistance in the form of a monthly grant is provided to eligible beneficiaries. The scheme is implemented by the Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB) through Zila Sainik Welfare Offices (ZSWO).
Benefits at a glance
| Scheme name | RMEWF-Financial Assistance For Ex-Servicemen In Penury (RMEWF-PENURY) |
|---|---|
| Launched by | Ministry Of Defence |
| Department | Department Of Defence Production |
| Launch year | 1981 |
| Benefit type | Cash (money paid to your bank account) |
| Category | Social welfare |
| Level / State | Central · All India |
| Official portal | 164.100.158.73 (see References at the end) |
Key facts
| Scheme type | Central Sector Scheme |
|---|---|
| Scheme for | Individual |
| Application mode | Online |
| Last date | Not given in the official listing |
| DBT (direct bank transfer) | Yes |
| Age | 65 to 80 years |
Who can apply (quick check)
- 👤Female / Male
- 🎂Age 65 to 80 years
- 🏘️Rural / Urban
- 💼Ex Servicemen
- 🍚BPL only
- 🆘Economic distress
- 📝Online
Quick check from official data. Full conditions are in the Eligibility section.
What you receive
- Financial Assistance
- Rs. 4,000/- per month per beneficiary.
- Paid annually.
- Provided for a lifetime.
- Historical Benefit Structure (For Context)
- Rs. 100/- per month for 2 years (introduced in 1981).
- Rs. 500/- per month for 2 years (revised in 2007).
- One-time grant of Rs. 30,000/- at age 70/75 years (2007 revision).
- Rs. 1,000/- per month for lifetime (October 2011 revision).
- Conditions Associated with Benefits
- Applicable only to non-pensioner ESM up to the rank of Havildar/equivalent.
- Continued for the widow after the death of the ESM (subject to a fresh application in some cases).
- Non-transferable.
- Ceases upon the death of the beneficiary (ESM or widow).
Who qualifies
- Must be a non-pensioner ESM or his widow.
- Should be of rank Havildar/equivalent from the Navy/AF and below.
- The ESM/widow should be 65 years of age on 01 Apr of the Financial Year in which applying.
- After the demise of ESM who was already availing the Penury Grant, his widow is eligible for Penury grant irrespective of her age at the time of the death of ESM. Therefore, in such cases, the condition of a widow attaining the age of 65 years is not applicable.
Who is not eligible
Ex-Servicemen receiving Pension are not covered under this scheme.
Papers to keep ready
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Log in to the web portal of KSB, and apply for the Penury Initial application. Scanned image of the following documents must be uploaded on the system (The size of the image in terms of MB has been mentioned online):
Certificate To Be Rendered By ZSWO While Recommending Online Application:
Registration walkthrough
Online
Fresh Application:
- Eligible Ex-Servicemen/widows can apply online between 01 Apr to 01 Mar (every year) Link - https://ksb.gov.in/ex-servicemen-penury.htm
- Scanned Copies of the supporting documents must be uploaded with the online application.
- Once the online application is submitted successfully, the individual will be given a system-generated application number, which he/she should note down for future reference.
- Thereafter, all the uploaded documents and certificates shall be verified by ZSWO. During verification, ZSWO shall certify that the Penury certificate uploaded by the applicant
- Does not have income/ pension from any other source.
- He has not been provided any financial assistance from the State Govt or any other source.
- Confirm that the information furnished by the applicant online is correct as per the original documents uploaded with the application.
- Once this verification process is over, the submitted online application is recommended by ZWSO.
Processing at KSB Secretariat:
- Once the application reaches the Kendriya Sainik Board, the Section-in-charge verify the same and uploads the printed list for the approval of JD (Welfare).
- Such applications for approval are then moved for the sanction of the competent authority in one lot, preferably every quarter.
Payment Procedure:
- After approval of Secretary KSB, the application is processed for payment by the Welfare Section.
- The welfare section verifies the Ex-servicemen's service number, name, banker's IFS Code and bank account number & forwards the list of approved cases to the Accounts Section for payment.
- The Accounts Section then processes the list for payment directly to beneficiaries via ECS, to the beneficiaries as applicable.
Track Application Status:
- The applicant has to revisit the same portal https://ksb.gov.in/index.htm
- Click on the “Status of application” link on the homepage of the portal.
- Now enter your DAK ID and verification code. Click on the “Search” button.
For Subsequent Grant:
- For subsequent years, after the initial penury grant has been awarded, the beneficiary must submit a life certificate online, duly countersigned by the respective ZSWO between 01 Dec and 31 Mar of the current financial year.
- A life certificate signed by any other person/ authority other than the concerned ZSWO and Digital Life Certificate will not be accepted.
- Submission of Life Certificate will be accepted online on the KSB website only and not by any other means.
- Online application for renewal of the Penury grant will not be accepted by the website after 01 Mar of the financial year. The beneficiary will not be paid the grant for the year for which he/ she fails to upload the life certificate within the period specified above.
Important dates
| Launch / start | 01 Jan 1981 |
|---|
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible for the Penury Grant under this scheme?
Only non-pensioner Ex-Servicemen (ESM) up to the rank of Havildar/equivalent and their widows who are living in extreme poverty are eligible. The ESM/widow should be 65 years or older as of 01 April of the financial year in which they are applying. (In case of widows of deceased beneficiaries, the age criterion does not apply.)
What is the amount of financial assistance provided under the scheme?
The scheme provides Rs. 4,000 per month, paid annually (i.e., Rs. 48,000 per year) to the eligible Ex-Servicemen or their widows.
Is the assistance under this scheme transferable to other family members after the death of the ESM or widow?
No. The assistance is non-transferable. After the death of an ESM, the widow must apply afresh to receive the benefit.
What are the exclusion criteria for this scheme?
Any Ex-Serviceman receiving a pension is not eligible for this scheme. The scheme is strictly meant for non-pensioners.
What documents are required to apply for the scheme?
The applicant must upload:
- Complete Service Document/Discharge Book (all pages)
- Identity Card issued by ZSWO
- Age proof (if not in service document)
- Aadhaar Card
- Bank Passbook (first page) and Cancelled Cheque
- Certificate of Penury (in prescribed format)
What is the verification process after application submission?
The Zila Sainik Welfare Office (ZSWO) will:
- Verify all uploaded documents
- Certify that the applicant has no income or pension
- Ensure that no financial aid has been taken from other government sources
- Recommend the case to the Kendriya Sainik Board
What is the timeline for processing and payment of the assistance?
Once approved by the Secretary of KSB, the payment is processed by the Accounts Section and directly transferred to the beneficiary’s bank account via ECS. Applications are typically processed quarterly.
How can applicants track their application status?
Visit: https://ksb.gov.in/index.htm
Click on “Status of application”, then enter your DAK ID and verification code.
What is the process for receiving the grant in subsequent years?
Beneficiaries must submit a Life Certificate online, countersigned by the ZSWO, between 01 December and 31 March every year.
- Digital Life Certificates or certificates signed by any other authority are not accepted.
- Failure to submit on time will result in non-payment for that year.
References and official sources
Apply only on the official portal. Nothing is applied for on this site, and applying is free.
- Guidelines ksb.gov.in
grokipedia.org.in is not affiliated with any government department. Apply only on the official portal and never pay anyone for an application.
The details on this page are from the official listing and have not been rewritten or reviewed by our team yet. Confirm them on the official portal before applying.
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