National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) provides a one-time cash support of ₹20,000 to families in Jammu and Kashmir living below the poverty line after the death of their primary breadwinner. Social Welfare Department of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has been implementing this scheme since 15th August 1995.
Payment is made straight to the bank account of the family, and as per the scheme rules it goes to the widow or the unmarried daughter of the deceased person. This money helps the household manage its daily expenses during the hard period after the loss.
National Family Benefit Scheme - Introduction
National Family Benefit Scheme is a part of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) of the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India. Under this scheme, a household living below the poverty line gets a lump sum amount when its primary breadwinner dies between the age of 18 and 59 years, whether the death was natural or accidental.
The scheme continues to be available for eligible families in Jammu and Kashmir during 2026-27. Central government pays up to ₹20,000 per case as the centre share, and the Union Territory government adds an equal contribution for each sanctioned case. There has been no change in the benefit amount or the basic eligibility conditions.
Key Information
| Scheme Name | National Family Benefit Scheme |
| Level | State |
| Scheme For | Individual |
| Beneficiary States | Jammu and Kashmir |
| Category | Social welfare and empowerment |
| Target Beneficiaries | Family |
| Benefit Type | Cash transfer |
| Benefit Amount | ₹20,000 one-time |
| DBT Scheme | Yes |
| Nodal Department | Department of Social Welfare Jammu and Kashmir |
| Launch Date | 15th August 1995 |
Benefits
Eligible families get a one-time cash payment of ₹20,000 to cover the immediate needs of the household after the death of the main earner. The money goes directly to the bank account, so there is no middleman involved.
- One-time support of ₹20,000 is given to the bereaved BPL family.
- Payment is made through direct bank transfer to the account of the widow or the unmarried daughter.
- Support is available for both natural and accidental death of the breadwinner, as long as the other conditions are met.
Eligibility
To receive this support, the family should meet these conditions:
- Family should be a resident of Jammu and Kashmir.
- Applicant should belong to the family of the deceased person.
- Deceased person should have been the primary earning member of the family.
- Family should hold a Below Poverty Line (BPL) status.
- Breadwinner should have been between 18 and 59 years old at the time of death.
- Application should be submitted within one year from the date of death of the breadwinner.
Application Process
The application process for National Family Benefit Scheme in Jammu and Kashmir is offline. Application forms are available free of cost at the offices of the District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO) and Tehsil Social Welfare Officer (TSWO).
STEP 1 - Visit the nearest Tehsil Social Welfare Officer office during working hours and collect the application form free of cost.
STEP 2 - Fill in all the details carefully. Attach a recent passport-size photograph and self-attested copies of the required documents, including the death certificate and proof of age of the deceased person.
STEP 3 - Submit the completed application to the TSWO office and collect the acknowledgement receipt. The receipt shows the date and reference number which will help in tracking the file.
After submission, the TSWO checks the details and sends the list to the Block Level Sanctioning Committee. The cases then go to the District Social Welfare Officer for sanction by the district level sanctioning committee. Once the case is approved, the amount is transferred directly to the bank account of the family.
Documents
Keep the following documents ready to avoid delays in the application process:
- Aadhaar Card of the applicant
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Valid identity proof such as Voter ID or Driving License
- Official death certificate of the breadwinner
- Proof of age of the deceased person
- BPL Card or valid Ration Card
- Caste Certificate, if applicable
- Address proof
- Bank passbook details for the direct transfer
References
National Family Benefit Scheme page by Department of Social Welfare, Kashmir
National Social Assistance Programme official portal
Guidelines for support (Page 6)
Official Social Welfare Website
FAQ's
What is the National Family Benefit Scheme?
National Family Benefit Scheme is a welfare scheme that provides a one-time payment of ₹20,000 to poor families in Jammu and Kashmir after the death of their main breadwinner.
How much money will my family receive?
The family receives a one-time financial grant of ₹20,000. The amount is paid directly to the bank account.
Who is eligible to apply for this?
Any family member of the deceased primary breadwinner can apply, provided the family has BPL status and the breadwinner was between 18 and 59 years of age at the time of death.
What if the breadwinner died due to an accident?
The scheme covers both natural and accidental death of the breadwinner, as long as the age and BPL conditions are met.
How will I receive the payment?
The approved amount is transferred directly to the bank account of the family through DBT, and as per the rules it is paid to the widow or the unmarried daughter.
Can I apply online for this?
In Jammu and Kashmir, application is currently done offline by visiting the office of the Tehsil Social Welfare Officer. The application form is available there free of cost.