National Family Benefit Scheme (Now Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana)

National Family Benefit Scheme offers a one-time cash grant of ₹ 20,000 to poor families who lose their primary breadwinner. The scheme works under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) of the Ministry of Rural Development and continues to support bereaved households across India in 2026.

Update (17 October 2026): National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) has a new name: Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana. Union Cabinet approved the change on 14 October 2026 and also continued the National Social Assistance Programme, now called Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana, for 2026-27 to 2030-31 with ₹53,428 crore. Only the name has changed. The ₹20,000 one-time help given to a BPL family after the death of its main earner aged 18 to 59 years, eligibility, documents and the way to apply stay the same.

The support reaches families living below the poverty line after the death of the main earning member aged between 18 and 64 years. Applications can now be made through the official NSAP portal at nsap.dord.gov.in.

National Family Benefit Scheme - Introduction

National Family Benefit Scheme runs under the umbrella of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) overseen by the Ministry of Rural Development. Under this scheme, a family receives financial support when it loses its primary breadwinner, whatever the cause of death. The surviving head of the household can apply for this one-time help. The deceased person must have been between 18 and 64 years of age at the time of death.

Key Information

Benefits

Eligible families receive a one-time financial support of ₹ 20,000 as a lump sum amount. This benefit goes to the surviving head of the household after the death of the primary breadwinner. For example, if Ramesh, who was the sole earner, passes away, his surviving spouse or the designated head of the family receives this amount to cover immediate expenses.

Eligibility

To get this support, the family must meet a few basic conditions. The applicant and the deceased member both need to fit the rules given below.

• The applicant must be a citizen of India.
• The family must be living Below Poverty Line (BPL).
• The primary breadwinner of the family must be deceased.
• The deceased person must have been between 18 and 64 years old.
• The applicant should be the succeeding primary breadwinner or the head of the household.

Application Process

Offline Application

Obtain the application form from the office of the District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO) or the Tehsil Social Welfare Officer (TSWO). The form is available free. It can also be seen in the annexure of the official guidelines. After filling in the details and attaching the required documents, submit the application to the concerned TSWO. The authorities then verify the case before sanctioning the amount.

Online Application

STEP 1 - Go to the official NSAP portal at nsap.dord.gov.in and open the National Family Benefit Scheme section.

STEP 2 - You can also apply through the UMANG App or the official UMANG website. Log in with your mobile number and OTP.

STEP 3 - Navigate to the NSAP section and select the apply online option.

STEP 4 - Provide your details, upload your photograph, and click submit to finish the application.

Documents

Documents for the Deceased Breadwinner:

• Death certificate
• Proof of identity
• Proof of address
• BPL card or Ration card

Documents for the Applicant:

• Proof of identity
• Proof of address
• Proof of age
• Family ID or Member ID
• Aadhaar-seeded bank account or post office account details
• Passport size photograph

Definitions

Main Breadwinner

This refers to a family member whose income contributed the major share of the household's total earnings. The death of the breadwinner must have occurred between the ages of 18 and 64. A homemaker is also recognized as a breadwinner under these rules.

Household

For this scheme, a household includes the spouse, minor children, unmarried daughters, and dependent parents. For the death of an unmarried adult, the household includes minor brothers, sisters, and dependent parents.

References

Official NSAP Portal

Official Scheme Guidelines

FAQ's

Will the benefits be provided monthly or as a lump sum?

The support is provided as a one-time lump sum payment.

How is the recipient chosen?

The support is awarded to the surviving member who is determined to be the head of the household following a local inquiry.

What is the amount of financial assistance?

A household receives a one-time support of ₹ 20,000.

If my mother earned more than my father, is she the breadwinner?

Yes, the person whose income constitutes the major share of the family's total earnings is considered the primary breadwinner, regardless of gender.

Are uncles, aunts, or extended family included as part of the household?

No, the definition of household is strictly limited to spouses, minor children, unmarried daughters, and dependent parents.

Where should I submit my application?

Submit the form and documents to the local DSWO or TSWO office.

Can I use a thumb impression instead of a signature?

Yes, if the applicant is unable to sign, they can provide a thumb impression.

Where do I find my Family ID?

The Family ID and Member ID details are printed on the BPL card.