RMEWF-Financial Assistance For Ex-Servicemen In Penury
This scheme provides ₹4,000 per month in financial assistance to non-pensioner ex-servicemen of rank Havildar/equivalent or below, and their widows, who are living in extreme poverty with no other source of income. Administered by the Kendriya Sainik Board, the amount is paid annually as a lump sum directly to the beneficiary's bank account. Apply online at the KSB portal between April 1 and March 1 each year.
About This Scheme
This scheme provides ₹4,000 per month in financial assistance to non-pensioner ex-servicemen of rank Havildar/equivalent or below, and their widows, who are living in extreme poverty with no other source of income. Administered by the Kendriya Sainik Board, the amount is paid annually as a lump sum directly to the beneficiary's bank account. Apply online at the KSB portal between April 1 and March 1 each year.
Full official description
A scheme to provide financial assistance to non-pensioner Ex-Servicemen up to rank of Havildar /equivalent and their widows who are living in extreme poverty.
The aim of this aid-gratis Penury grant was to provide a measure of relief to destitute non-pensioner Ex-Servicemen up to rank of Havildar/equivalent and their widows.
Benefits
- ₹4,000 per month financial assistance, disbursed as an annual lump sum (₹48,000 per year)
- Payment made directly to bank account via Electronic Clearing Service (ECS)
- After ESM's death, widow can apply separately and continue receiving the grant
- Grant continues for the beneficiary's lifetime; ceases only on death
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Must be a non-pensioner ex-serviceman (not receiving any military or government pension)
- Rank must be Havildar/equivalent or below (applies to Army, Navy, and Air Force equivalents)
- Must be at least 65 years of age as of April 1 of the financial year of application
- Widows of eligible ESMs who were already receiving the grant are eligible regardless of their age
- Must not have income or pension from any other source
- Must not be receiving financial assistance from the state government or any other source
Exclusions
Ex-Servicemen receiving Pension are not covered under this scheme.
How to Apply
Fresh Application
- Eligible Ex-Servicemen / widow can apply online between 01 Apr to 01 Mar (every year) Link - https://164.100.158.73/registration.htm- Scanned Copies of the supporting documents must be uploaded with the online application.
- Once the online application is submitted successfully, individual will be given a system generated application number, which he/she should note down for future reference.
- Thereafter, all the uploaded documents and certificates shall be verified By ZSWO. During verification, ZSWO shall certify that the Penury certificate uploaded by the applicant
- Does not have income/ pension form any other source.
- He has not been provided any financial assistance from the State Govt or any other source.
- Confirm that the information furnished by the applicant online is correct as per the original documents uploaded with the application.
- Once this verification process is over, Submitted Online Application is recommended by ZWSO.
Processing at KSB Secretariat
- Once the application reaches the Kendriya Sainik Board, the Section-in-charge verify the same and upload the printed list for the approval of JD (Welfare).
- Such applications of approval is then moved for sanction of the competent authority in one lot, preferably every quarter.
Payment Procedure
- After approval of Secretary KSB, the application is processed for payment by Welfare Section.
- The welfare section verifies the Ex-servicemen's service number, name, banker's IFS Code and bank account number & forward the list of approved cases to Accounts Section for payment.
- The Accounts Section then processes the list for payment directly to beneficiaries via ECS to the beneficiaries as applicable.
Track Application Status
- Applicant has to revisit the same portal https://ksb.gov.in/index.htm- Click on “Status of application” link on the homepage of the portal.
- Now enter your DAK ID and verification code. Click on the “Search” button.
For Subsequent Grant
- For subsequent years, after initial penury grant has been awarded, the beneficiary must submit a life certificate online, duly countersigned by respective ZSWO between 01 Dec and 31 Mar of current financial year.
- Life certificate signed by any other person/ authority other than concerned ZSWO and Digital Life Certificate will not be accepted.
- Submission of Life Certificate will be accepted online on KSB website only and not by any other means.
- Online application for renewal of Penury grant will not be accepted by website after 01 Mar of the financial year. Beneficiary will not be paid the grant for the year for which he/ she fails to upload the life certificate within the period specified above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the Penury Grant under this scheme?
Only non-pensioner Ex-Servicemen (ESM) up to the rank of Havildar/equivalent and their widows who are living in extreme poverty are eligible. The ESM/widow should be 65 years or older as of 01 April of the financial year in which they are applying. (In case of widows of deceased beneficiaries, the age criterion does not apply.)
What is the amount of financial assistance provided under the scheme?
The scheme provides ₹4,000 per month, paid annually (i.e., ₹48,000 per year) to the eligible Ex-Servicemen or their widows.
Is the assistance under this scheme transferable to other family members after the death of the ESM or widow?
No. The assistance is non-transferable. After the death of an ESM, the widow must apply afresh to receive the benefit.
What are the exclusion criteria for this scheme?
Any Ex-Serviceman receiving a pension is not eligible for this scheme. The scheme is strictly meant for non-pensioners.
What documents are required to apply for the scheme?
The applicant must upload:
- Complete Service Document/Discharge Book (all pages)
- Identity Card issued by ZSWO- Age proof (if not in service document)
- Aadhaar Card
- Bank Passbook (first page) and Cancelled Cheque
- Certificate of Penury (in prescribed format)
What is the verification process after application submission?
The Zila Sainik Welfare Office (ZSWO) will:
- Verify all uploaded documents
- Certify that the applicant has no income or pension- Ensure that no financial aid has been taken from other government sources
- Recommend the case to the Kendriya Sainik Board
What is the timeline for processing and payment of the assistance?
Once approved by the Secretary of KSB, the payment is processed by the Accounts Section and directly transferred to the beneficiary’s bank account via ECS. Applications are typically processed quarterly.
How can applicants track their application status?
Visit: https://ksb.gov.in/index.htm Click on “Status of application”, then enter your DAK ID and verification code.
What is the process for receiving the grant in subsequent years?
Beneficiaries must submit a Life Certificate online, countersigned by the ZSWO, between 01 December and 31 March every year.
- Digital Life Certificates or certificates signed by any other authority are not accepted.- Failure to submit on time will result in non-payment for that year.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- Scanned copies of following documents need to be uploaded while filling online application:-
- Service Document/Discharge Book of ESM (Mandatory to upload all pages of Discharge Book in a sequential manner without missing any pages and without any alterations). The pages uploaded must be in legible condition. Any cutting/overwriting in discharge book must be authenticated by the DSWO. Signatures and Stamp marks of any other authority except DSWO will render the entry null and void.
- Age proof, if date of birth not given in the Service Document / Discharge Book.
- Identity Card of ESM / Widows issued by Zonal Sainik Board.
- First page of Bank Pass book and a cancelled cheque in case details of Bank A/c Number, IFS Code and account holder’s personal particulars are not given in first page of Bank Pass book.
- Copy of Aadhar Card.
- Certificate of penury to state that the applicant does not have any source of income signed by Sarpanch/ Patwari/ BDO (revenue officials) affixed with his rubber stamp & round seal. A specimen of "Certificate of Penury” is available on https://ksb.gov.in/writereaddata/DownLoad/Penury_Certificate.pdf