Old age pension scheme is a social welfare scheme by the Punjab government to give monthly financial support to senior citizens who do not have a stable income. Under this scheme, women aged 58 years and above and men aged 65 years and above can get a monthly pension of ₹ 1,500.
In 2026, the Department of Social Security and Development of Women and Children has simplified the whole process. The application for Old Age Pension in Punjab has become form-less, and senior citizens can apply through a Sewa Kendra, the online Connect Punjab portal, or by dialing 1076 from home. The pension amount is sent directly to the bank account of the beneficiary, and approval is given within 32 to 34 days.
Old age pension scheme - Introduction
Old age pension scheme serves as a main social welfare scheme launched by the Punjab government to help elderly residents who do not have a reliable source of income. This scheme targets senior citizens who are not covered by any other regular pension and helps them meet daily needs with greater dignity.
As a Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme, the monthly pension amount is deposited directly into the bank account of the beneficiary. This helps in making the payment clear and on time, so the eligible person does not have to depend on anyone to receive the money.
The scheme is handled by the Department of Social Security and Development of Women and Children, Punjab. The service is now form-less, which means senior citizens do not need to fill a physical form on their own. They can walk into a Sewa Kendra, apply online, or call 1076 for doorstep service.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Old Age Pension Scheme |
| Level | State |
| Scheme For | Individual |
| Beneficiary States | Punjab |
| Category | Social welfare & Empowerment |
| Benefit Type | Cash |
| DBT Scheme | Yes |
| Monthly Pension | ₹ 1,500 |
| Nodal Department | Department of Social Security and Development of Women and Children |
| Helpline | 1100 |
Benefits
A senior citizen who is approved under this scheme receives monthly financial support of ₹ 1,500 credited directly to the bank account. This DBT payment helps cover basic living expenses like food, medicine, and daily household needs.
Apart from the monthly amount, the new form-less service saves the elderly from filling lengthy forms. The government has kept the application free of cost, and the doorstep service through 1076 makes the process easy for those who cannot travel.
Eligibility
To get benefits under Old Age Pension Scheme, an applicant has to meet the age, income, and land ownership conditions set by the Department of Social Security. The age requirement is different for men and women, so the applicant must check the correct age limit first.
- Age: Women must be 58 years or above, and men must be 65 years or above to apply.
- Income limit: A single applicant must not have monthly income above ₹ 2,000, and a couple must not have combined monthly income above ₹ 3,000.
- Land ownership: Land holding must be within the prescribed limits, which means maximum 2 acres of Nehri or Chahi land, maximum 4 acres of Barani land, or maximum 5 acres of waterlogged land, including the land of husband and wife.
The applicant must also be a permanent resident of Punjab. Even if the land holding is within the limit, the monthly income condition still has to be met for the application to qualify.
Application Process
Senior citizens can apply for the pension through three methods in 2026, and all three methods are free of cost.
STEP 1 - Visit the nearest Sewa Kendra in your area and take a token for the old age pension service. You can find your nearest Sewa Kendra on the Connect Punjab portal.
STEP 2 - Show your identity, address, age proof, and bank passbook to the Sewa Kendra operator. The operator fills the application on the system, so there is no need to fill a physical form. Approval under this method takes around 34 days.
STEP 3 - You can also apply online by visiting the official Old Age Pension service page on the Connect Punjab portal. Register on the portal with your mobile number, create a profile, and upload the required documents. Approval under the online method takes around 32 days.
STEP 4 - If you cannot visit an office, call 1076 and book a doorstep appointment. A government operator will visit your home to fill and submit the application. Approval under this method takes around 34 days.
STEP 5 - After submission, you can check the status of your application on the eSewa Punjab portal using the track status service.
Documents
The applicant should keep the following documents ready for the application process, whether applying at the Sewa Kendra, online, or through the doorstep service.
- Identity proof such as Aadhaar card, voter ID, passport, driving license, or PAN card.
- Address proof such as Aadhaar card, voter card, passport, or an address certificate issued by the central or state government.
- Age proof such as birth certificate, matriculation certificate, or Aadhaar card.
- Copy of the first page of the bank passbook for the direct pension transfer.
- For rural applicants, a land report from the local Patwari may be required to check the land holding limit.
The pension is credited only after the application passes the income and land verification. For any query, applicants can call the helpline number 1100.
References
For more information, the following official resources can be used.
FAQ's
What is this scheme?
Old age pension scheme is a state funded social welfare scheme of Punjab that gives monthly financial support to senior citizens who have no other source of regular income.
What are the benefits?
Approved senior citizens get a monthly pension of ₹ 1,500 directly in their bank account through DBT, and the application process is now form-less and free of cost.
How much will I receive?
You will receive a monthly pension of ₹ 1,500 credited directly to your bank account.
Who is eligible for this pension?
Permanent residents of Punjab who are women aged 58 years or above, or men aged 65 years or above, with monthly income not exceeding ₹ 2,000 for a single applicant and ₹ 3,000 for a couple, and land holding within the prescribed limits, are eligible.
How do I apply online?
You should visit the Old Age Pension service page on the Connect Punjab portal, register with your mobile number, upload the required documents, and submit the application online.
Can I apply offline?
Yes, you can visit your nearest Sewa Kendra with your documents, or call 1076 for doorstep service, and the operator will fill the application for you.