AI SummaryNational Family Assistance Scheme provides critical financial support of ₹20,000 to families living below the poverty line (BPL) who have suffered the tragic loss of their primary breadwinner. This scheme makes sure that dependent households in Chhattisgarh get immediate relief, whether the death was natural, unnatural, or accidental.
Update (17 October 2026): National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS), which Chhattisgarh runs as National Family Assistance Scheme, has a new central 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 one-time help given to a BPL family after the death of its main earner, eligibility, documents and the way to apply stay the same.
Social Welfare Department, Government of Chhattisgarh runs this scheme as the state-level implementation of National Family Benefit Scheme under National Social Assistance Programme. Bereaved families who face extreme hardship after losing their main earner get a one-time cash payment to manage immediate expenses and stabilize their situation.
National Family Assistance Scheme - Introduction
National Family Assistance Scheme is a welfare scheme supported by Social Welfare Department, Government of Chhattisgarh. It offers a helping hand to BPL households during their most difficult times by paying ₹20,000 to the family that loses its main earner. The scheme covers death from natural causes, unnatural events, or accidents.
Key Information
| Key | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | National Family Assistance Scheme |
| Level | State |
| Scheme For | Family |
| Beneficiary State | Chhattisgarh |
| Main Department | Social Welfare Department |
| Benefit Amount | ₹20,000 |
| Payment Type | Cash |
Benefits
When a family loses its primary support system, this scheme provides a one-time lump sum payment of ₹20,000 to help manage immediate expenses. The money helps the bereaved household cover funeral costs, pending bills, and daily needs during the first difficult weeks after the loss.
Eligibility
To get the benefit under this scheme, the applicant needs to meet the following conditions:
- The applicant should be a permanent resident of Chhattisgarh.
- The applicant should be a family member of the deceased person, such as a spouse, minor child, unmarried daughter, or dependent parent.
- The deceased person should have been the main breadwinner. For example, if Ramesh, a garment shop owner, was the sole person earning for his family of four, his family meets this condition.
- The family should be currently classified under the BPL (Below Poverty Line) category.
- At the time of the unfortunate death, the deceased person should have been between 18 and 59 years old.
If a family has more than one earning member, support is granted only if the deceased person was the primary contributor to the household income.
Application Process
In Rural Areas
STEP 1 - Visit the local Gram Panchayat office to collect the application form for free. STEP 2 - Fill out the form carefully with all the required details. STEP 3 - Submit the completed form back to the Gram Panchayat and collect the acknowledgment receipt. STEP 4 - The Gram Panchayat reviews the application and forwards it to the District Panchayat within 7 days.
In Urban Areas
STEP 1 - Visit the local Municipal Corporation, Municipality, or Nagar Panchayat office to obtain the application form. STEP 2 - Complete the form and submit it to the designated office. STEP 3 - Keep the acknowledgment receipt safe for future reference. STEP 4 - The urban body manages the final approval process for the application. If a printed form is not available, the applicant is allowed to submit the application on plain paper.
Documents
Keep the following documents ready before starting the application process:
- Aadhaar card of the applicant
- Passport-size photograph
- Identity proof
- Chhattisgarh domicile certificate
- Official death certificate
- Proof of age of the deceased
- Valid income certificate
- BPL card or relevant proof of poverty line status
- Address proof
- Bank or Post Office account passbook
References
National Social Assistance Programme | Chhattisgarh State Portal
FAQ's
Who is eligible to apply for this scheme?
An applicant is eligible if they are a resident of Chhattisgarh, a family member of the deceased primary earner, the family is BPL, and the deceased was aged 18 to 59 years.
What amount of financial support is provided?
The eligible family receives a total of ₹20,000 as financial support.
Who qualifies as a primary breadwinner?
The primary breadwinner is the family member who was contributing the largest share of the household income.
Can a family apply if the deceased was not the only earner?
Yes, as long as the deceased person was the primary source of income for the household.
Does the scheme cover all types of deaths?
Yes, the scheme covers deaths resulting from natural causes, unnatural events, or accidents.
What is the required age for the deceased breadwinner?
The deceased person needs to be aged between 18 and 59 years at the time of death.
Who is officially defined as family?
Family members include the spouse, minor children, unmarried daughters, and dependent parents.
How do I apply in rural or urban areas?
Visit the respective local government office, which is the Gram Panchayat for rural areas or the Municipal office for urban areas, to submit the request.
What if I do not have a printed application form?
The applicant may submit the application using a plain sheet of paper if the official form is unavailable.
How long does the rural verification process take?
The Gram Panchayat should review and send the application to the District Panchayat within 7 days.
Who approves the application?
The relevant Municipality, Municipal Corporation, or District Panchayat authority holds the responsibility for approving or rejecting applications.