Home for the Aged and Infirm is a state-run scheme of the Government of Puducherry that offers free food, lodging and medical care to senior citizens aged 60 and above from below poverty line families who have no one to look after them. The Directorate of Social Welfare manages the scheme and continues to accept applications from eligible elderly persons across Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam.
This scheme gives a safe and caring place to elderly men and women who lack family support, so they can spend their later years with dignity and comfort. Inmates receive lifetime residency, four sets of clothes every year and daily pocket money of ₹5.
Home for the Aged and Infirm - Introduction
Home for the Aged and Infirm is a supportive state scheme introduced by the Department of Social Welfare, Government of Puducherry. It provides a secure home for elderly men and women aged 60 and above who belong to below poverty line families and have no one to care for them. The scheme makes sure senior citizens without family support can live their later years with dignity and comfort.
The main details of the scheme are given in the table below.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Home for the Aged and Infirm |
| Level | State |
| Scheme For | Individual |
| Beneficiary State | Puducherry |
| Category | Social welfare and Empowerment |
| Target Beneficiaries | Individual |
| Benefit Type | Composite |
| DBT Scheme | No |
| Nodal Department | Social Welfare Department, Puducherry |
| Tags | Senior Citizen, Food, Lodging, Medical |
Benefits
Inmates of the home receive full support to keep a healthy and active life. The benefits include:
- Free food, accommodation and quality medical facilities.
- Access to in-door entertainment such as television, radio and books.
- Four sets of clothes every year.
- Daily pocket money of ₹5.
- Annual recreational tours to places of interest, subject to the inmate's health.
- Celebration of an annual day function.
- Lifetime residency in the home.
- Dignified performance of last rites by the government at no cost.
Note: If there is any delay in receiving benefits, contact the relevant authorities:
| Region | Authority |
| Puducherry | The Director, Directorate of Social Welfare, Saradhambal Nagar, Ellaipillaichavadhy, Puducherry. |
| Karaikal | The Collector, Karaikal. |
| Mahe/Yanam | The Regional Administrator, Mahe/Yanam. |
Eligibility
To qualify for Home for the Aged and Infirm, applicants should meet these criteria:
- Applicants should have no family members or caregivers to support them.
- Applicants should be 60 years of age or older.
- Applicants should not be suffering from any communicable disease or mental illness.
Application Process
This is an offline process. Follow these steps to apply:
STEP 1 - Visit the official Office or Sub-Office of the Department of Social Welfare during working hours and ask for the application form.
STEP 2 - Fill in all the details in the form, attach a recent passport-sized photograph and make sure all required documents are attached.
STEP 3 - Submit the completed application to the respective regional authority. For Puducherry, submit to the Deputy Director, Differently Abled Section, Directorate of Social Welfare. For Karaikal, submit to the Assistant Director, Social Welfare Department (Sub Office). For Mahe or Yanam, submit to the Welfare Officer (i/c), Social Welfare Department (Sub Office).
STEP 4 - Always collect an acknowledgement receipt from the officer, which includes the submission date and a reference number for your records.
Documents
Keep these documents ready for the application:
- Medical Certificate issued by a Government Hospital Superintendent.
- Certificate from the Welfare Officer of the Social Welfare Department.
- Aadhaar Card.
- Voter ID.
- Proof of Address.
- Ration Card.
- Proof of Age.
References
Guidelines | Citizen's Charter | Application Form | Contact Us | Sub Offices | Grievance Redressal
FAQ's
Who is eligible for Home for the Aged and Infirm?
Applicants aged 60 and above from below poverty line families who are without family support and free from communicable or mental illnesses are eligible.
What are the key benefits provided under this scheme?
Inmates receive free food, lodging, medical care, four sets of clothes annually, ₹5 daily as pocket money and state-funded last rites.
How long can the inmates stay in the home?
Inmates are welcome to stay in the home for the rest of their lives.
What is the process for lodging an application?
Submit the application to the Field Officer in Puducherry, Assistant Director in Karaikal or Welfare Officer in Mahe or Yanam.
Can applicants with communicable diseases or mental illness be admitted?
No, individuals with communicable diseases or mental health conditions do not qualify for admission.
What actions can be taken in case of delayed benefit disbursal?
Contact the Director in Puducherry, Collector in Karaikal or the Regional Administrator in Mahe or Yanam.
Are there entertainment options provided for the inmates?
Yes, facilities like television, radio and books are provided to keep inmates engaged.
What is the daily pocket money amount given to the inmates?
Inmates are given ₹5 as daily pocket money.
How often are annual tours organized?
Annual tours are conducted for inmates, provided their health allows them to travel.
What documents are required for the application process?
Medical certificates, officer-issued identification, Aadhaar card, Voter ID, address proof, ration card and age proof are required.
Who conducts the last rites of the inmates, and is there any cost involved?
The government manages the last rites completely free of cost.
Where can citizens find the guidelines for the scheme?
Guidelines are available at the official website.
In case of grievances, where can individuals seek redressal?
Visit the CPGRAMS portal for complaint help.
Where can citizens access the application form for the scheme?
Download the form from this link.
How can applicants contact the relevant authorities for the scheme?
Contact details for all regional offices are available on the official contact page.