National Family Benefit Scheme in Sikkim offers a one-time grant of ₹30,000 to families who lose their primary breadwinner. The support is meant for households holding a Below Poverty Line (BPL) certificate that face money problems after the death of the main earner.
Sikkim government continues to accept applications for this support on the official portal at pensionscheme.sikkim.gov.in. The eligible family member gets the amount directly in the bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer.
National Family Benefit Scheme - Introduction
National Family Benefit Scheme was launched in 2016 by the Department of Women and Child Welfare, Government of Sikkim. It is a part of the National Social Assistance Programme and gives a lump sum grant of ₹30,000 to the bereaved household in the event of the death of the primary breadwinner.
Central government and the state government share the grant. Central share is ₹20,000 and the state share is ₹10,000, which makes the total one-time benefit ₹30,000. Highlights of the scheme are given below.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) - Sikkim |
| Launched By | Department of Women and Child Welfare, Government of Sikkim |
| Launch Year | 2016 |
| Eligible People | BPL families of Sikkim who lose their primary breadwinner |
| Benefit Amount | One-time grant of ₹30,000 (Central ₹20,000 + State ₹10,000) |
| Payment Mode | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) |
| Application Mode | Online and offline |
| Official Website | pensionscheme.sikkim.gov.in |
Benefits
Families covered under the scheme get one-time money support after losing their main earner. This amount helps them manage daily expenses at a difficult time. Main benefits are given below.
- One-time grant of ₹30,000 to the bereaved BPL household on the death of the primary breadwinner.
- Amount is paid directly into the bank account of the eligible family member through DBT, so there is no middleman.
- Support is given for every case of death of a breadwinner in an eligible family, subject to a valid BPL certificate.
- Payment is a combination of central share of ₹20,000 and state share of ₹10,000.
Eligibility
Families should check who can get this support before applying. Eligibility conditions for Sikkim are given below.
- Applicant should be a permanent resident of Sikkim with a Sikkim Subject Certificate or Certificate of Identification.
- Family should hold a valid Below Poverty Line (BPL) certificate or an Antyodaya / Priority Household ration card as per state rules.
- Application is made after the death of the primary breadwinner of the family.
- Eligible family members include the spouse, minor children, unmarried daughters and dependent parents of the deceased.
- Bank account should be opened under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana so that the grant can be paid directly.
Note: A homemaker is also recognized as a breadwinner under this scheme.
Families already covered under other Sikkim social security schemes, such as Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme in Sikkim, can still apply for this support if they meet the NFBS conditions.
Application Process
Families can apply both offline and online. Online registration is done on the official portal of the Sikkim Women and Child Welfare Department.
Offline Application
Visit the office of the Social Welfare Department or the concerned Block Development Office to collect the application form. Fill in all the required details, attach self-attested documents and submit the file to the designated officer. The application is then checked by the Selection Committee and approved by the Secretary. After approval, the grant is paid directly into the bank account through DBT.
Online Application
STEP 1 - Go to the official portal at pensionscheme.sikkim.gov.in and open the National Family Benefit Scheme section.
STEP 2 - Click on Create Account or Apply Now and register with your personal details, email ID and mobile number.
STEP 3 - Log in with the registered details and select National Family Benefit Scheme from the list of schemes.
STEP 4 - Fill in the application form with the details of the deceased breadwinner, dependent family members and bank account. Upload the required documents.
STEP 5 - Submit the form and note down the system generated application number. The department sends updates about the application through SMS on the registered mobile number.
Documents
Keep the following self-attested documents ready before starting the application so that the file is not rejected for missing papers.
- Three recent passport sized photographs.
- Sikkim Subject Certificate or Certificate of Identification.
- Valid Below Poverty Line (BPL) certificate.
- Proof of age of the deceased breadwinner such as birth certificate, EPIC or any valid government document.
- Aadhaar Card.
- Copy of the first page of the bank or post office passbook showing account details.
References
Sikkim Women and Child Welfare Department Official Portal | Online Application and Login Page
FAQ's
How much money does the family get?
Eligible families get a one-time grant of ₹30,000 on the death of the primary breadwinner.
Who is treated as a breadwinner?
Breadwinner is the main income earner of the family. A homemaker is also treated as a breadwinner under this scheme.
Is this scheme available for all families?
No. Only families belonging to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category in Sikkim can apply.
Can I apply online?
Yes. You can register and apply on the official portal at pensionscheme.sikkim.gov.in.
How will I know the status of my application?
The department sends the approval or rejection update through SMS on the registered mobile number.