Schemes / Government of India
National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) – old age, widow and disability pensions
Central schemeSenior citizenWomanPerson with disabilityLow income / BPL
Central pensions and family benefit for BPL households: old age pension (IGNOAPS), widow pension (IGNWPS), disability pension (IGNDPS) and a one-time National Family Benefit (NFBS) on the death of the breadwinner. States add their own top-ups.
What you get
Central share: old age pension of ₹200 a month (age 60–79) and ₹500 a month (80+); widow and disability pensions of ₹300 a month (₹500 at 80+); and a one-time ₹20,000 under NFBS. Most states pay considerably more by adding their own share.
Who can apply
- Household below the poverty line as per state criteria
- IGNOAPS: age 60+; IGNWPS: widows aged 40–79; IGNDPS: persons aged 18–79 with severe/multiple disability
- NFBS: on death of the primary breadwinner aged 18–59
How to apply
- Apply at the Gram Panchayat, block office or municipal office, or the state's social welfare/e-district portal
- Pensions are paid by DBT to the bank or post office account
Documents usually needed
- Aadhaar
- BPL proof/ration card
- Age proof
- Death certificate of spouse (widow pension)
- Disability certificate (disability pension)
Nodal authority: Ministry of Rural Development. Amounts and rules change — the official page is the final word.