Government Pension for Disabled People in India through NSAP

Government of India provides disability pension through the National Social Assistance Programme. Disabled people living Below Poverty Line (BPL) are eligible for getting this monthly pension.

The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) was created to provides financial assistance to the elderly, widows and persons with disabilities in the form of social pensions. This scheme is sponsored by the Central Government. Different states have their own similar schemes. The idea behind this pension scheme is to provide some monetary help to those who are living in poverty. There are millions of people in India who are physically weak and have no means of survival. The NSAP pension scheme aims to give these people basic minimum help for sustenance.

Components of NSAP Scheme

1. Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS): The eligible age for IGNOAPS is 60 years. The pension is Rs. 200 per month for persons between 60 years and 80 years. For persons who are 80 years and
   above the pension is Rs. 500/- per month.
2. Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS): The eligible age is 40 years and the pension is Rs.300 per month. After attaining the age of 80 years, the beneficiary will get Rs. 500/- per month.
3. Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS): The eligible age for the pensioner is 18 years and the amount is Rs. 300 per month. After attaining the age of 80 years, the beneficiary will get Rs. 500/- per month.
4. National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS): Rs. 20000/- will be given as one time assistance to the bereaved household in the event of death of the breadwinner. A woman in the family, who is a home maker, is also considered as a “bread-winner” for this purpose. The family benefit will be paid to such surviving member of the household of the deceased poor, who after local inquiry, is found to be the head of the household. For the purpose of the scheme, the term “household‟ would include spouse, minor children, unmarried daughters and dependent parents. In case of death of an unmarried adult, the term household would include minor brothers/ sisters and dependent parents. The death of such a bread-winner should have occurred whilst he/she is more than 18 years of age and less than 60 years of age.
5. Annapurna Scheme: 10 kg of food grain (wheat or rice) per month per beneficiary. The scheme aims at providing food security to meet the requirement of those eligible old aged persons who have remained uncovered under the IGNOAPS.

Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS)

As explained in the previous section, a disabled person living Below Poverty Line (i.e. she is a BPL card holder) is eligible to get a pension of Rs. 300 per month. This amount is, of course, too little and one might not be able to purchase even the very basic meals for the whole month. The government should increase it to at least Rs. 500/- per month. But then the stated aim of IGNDPS disability pension scheme is to provide the means of bare minimum sustenance.

For more details regarding IGNDPS and other components of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) — see this PDF file.

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