National Social Assistance Scheme: Empowering Citizens through Financial Support

What is NSAP?

The National Social Assistance Scheme (NSAP) is a government-sponsored social welfare program aimed at providing financial assistance to the most vulnerable and marginalized sections of society. The program was launched in 1995 by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, and has been implemented across the country since then.

National Benefit Scheme

A National Maternal Benefit Scheme is a social welfare program implemented by a government to provide financial assistance to expectant and new mothers. The primary aim of the scheme is to support women during the pre and postnatal period to ensure safe childbirth and healthy outcomes for both mother and child.

The benefits offered by the scheme may include financial support for medical expenses during pregnancy, antenatal care, and postnatal care, as well as assistance with childcare costs, food, and housing.

The scheme may also offer additional support such as education on maternal and child health, nutrition, and family planning. The implementation of a National Maternal Benefit Scheme is an important step toward improving maternal health and reducing maternal mortality

Why we required NSAP in India ?

The primary objective of the National Social Assistance Programme is to provide financial assistance to the poor and vulnerable sections of society who are not covered under any other social security scheme. The scheme is intended to promote the overall well-being of the poor, elderly, and disabled people by providing financial assistance for their basic needs.

The NSAP consists of five components, which include the National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS), National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS), the National Disability Pension Scheme (NDPS), the National Maternity Benefit Scheme (NMBS), and the Annapurna Scheme. Each of these schemes has a different target group and specific eligibility criteria.

Eligibility Criteria for NSAP

Component 

When the NSAP was initially launched, it consisted of three components, which were:

1. National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS): This scheme aimed to provide financial assistance to senior citizens, ensuring their economic security and well-being.
2. National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS): The NFBS provided one-time financial assistance to the family of a deceased primary breadwinner, helping them cope with the immediate financial needs arising from the loss.
3. National Maternity Benefit Scheme (NMBS): The NMBS focused on providing financial support to pregnant women, ensuring access to adequate nutrition and care during pregnancy.

On April 1, 2000, a new scheme called “Annapurna” was introduced. It aimed to address the food security needs of senior citizens who were eligible for the NOAPS but remained uncovered. Annapurna aimed to ensure that these individuals had access to sufficient food to meet their requirements.

In February 2009, the government added two more schemes to the NSAP:

4. Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS): The IGDPS provided financial assistance to persons with disabilities, helping them meet their basic needs and improve their quality of life.
5. Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS): The IGNWPS focused on providing financial support to widows, assisting them in meeting their daily needs and enhancing their socio-economic well-being.

Currently, the NSAP comprises the following five schemes:

1. Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS): This scheme provides financial assistance to senior citizens to support their livelihood and ensure their well-being.
2. Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS): The IGDPS offers financial support to persons with disabilities, helping them overcome economic challenges and improve their overall living conditions.
3. Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS): The IGNWPS provides financial assistance to widows, empowering them to meet their basic needs and improve their socio-economic status.
4. Annapurna: The Annapurna scheme continues to provide food security to eligible senior citizens who were not covered under the NOAPS but are deserving of support.
5. National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS): The NFBS offers one-time financial assistance to families in the event of the primary breadwinner’s demise, helping them manage immediate financial challenges during such difficult times.

These schemes collectively form the present configuration of the National Social Assistance Program (NSAP).

The National Old Age Pension Scheme

 (NOAPS) is a social security program launched by the Government of India in 1995 to provide financial assistance to elderly citizens who are below the poverty line? The scheme aims to provide social security to elderly people not covered under any formal pension scheme.

Under the NOAPS, eligible citizens above the age of 60 years receive a monthly pension of Rs. 200 or Rs. 500, depending on the state they reside in. The amount of assistance may vary from state to state, and some states provide higher pensions to senior citizens.

To be eligible for the NOAPS, individuals must fulfill the following criteria:

1. They must be above 60 years of age.
2. They must belong to a household living below the poverty line.
3. They should not be receiving any other pension benefits from the central or state government.
4. To apply for the NOAPS, eligible individuals can submit an application to the nearest block office, Tehsildar or District Social Welfare Officer. The application must be accompanied by relevant documents such as proof of age, income certificate, and bank account details.

The NOAPS is an important social security program that provides much-needed support to elderly citizens who are in need.

The National Family Benefit Scheme

(NFBS) is a social welfare program in India that provides financial assistance to families below the poverty line (BPL) on the death of the primary breadwinner. The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India. Under the scheme, a lump sum amount of Rs. 20,000 is provided to the bereaved family.

The benefit is provided to families living below the poverty line, and who do not have any adult member in the family between the age of 18 and 60 years. The scheme is designed to provide financial support to the family during the immediate aftermath of the breadwinner’s death and to prevent the family from falling into further financial distress.

To avail of the benefits under the NFBS, the family needs to apply within two years of the breadwinner’s death. The application needs to be made to the Gram Panchayat or the Municipality, which will then verify the eligibility of the family and forward the application to the concerned authority for sanctioning of the benefit.

A National Disability Pension Scheme

NDPS is a government program that provides financial assistance to people with disabilities who are unable to work and earn a living. The goal of this program is to ensure that people with disabilities have access to financial support to help them meet their basic needs and improve their quality of life.

The eligibility criteria and the amount of the pension may vary from country to country. However, generally, to be eligible for a disability pension, a person must have a disability that affects their ability to work, be below a certain income level, and meet certain residency requirements. The pension amount is usually based on the severity of the disability and the income level of the recipient. In addition to providing financial support, national disability pension schemes may also offer other services such as vocational rehabilitation, medical assistance, and disability-specific aids and equipment.

Overall, a national disability pension scheme plays a critical role in ensuring that people with disabilities are able to live with dignity and participate fully in society.

In conclusion, the NSAP is a significant social welfare program aimed at providing financial assistance to the most vulnerable sections of society. The program has been successful in reducing poverty and improving the social and economic conditions of the beneficiaries. However, the program faces several challenges, which need to be addressed to ensure that the benefits reach the intended beneficiaries.

Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS)

The Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) provides financial assistance to widows in India. Here are some key details about the scheme:

1. Eligibility: The IGNWPS is available to widows who are at least 40 years old. This age requirement ensures that widows in vulnerable circumstances can access the scheme’s benefits.
2. Pension Amount: Under the IGNWPS, eligible widows receive a monthly pension. The initial pension amount is Rs. 300 per month. However, once the beneficiary reaches the age of 80 years, the pension amount increases to Rs. 500 per month.

Annapurna Scheme

The Annapurna Scheme aims to ensure food security for eligible senior citizens who were not covered under the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS). Here are the key features of the scheme:

1. Food Grain Provision: Under the Annapurna Scheme, eligible beneficiaries receive a monthly allocation of 10 kilograms of food grains, which can be either wheat or rice. This provision is aimed at meeting the nutritional requirements of the beneficiaries.
2. Targeted Beneficiaries: The scheme specifically targets senior citizens who have not been covered under the IGNOAPS but are eligible for support. These individuals may be facing financial constraints and require assistance to meet their food needs.
3. Food Security: The Annapurna Scheme recognizes the importance of food security for senior citizens and aims to ensure they have access to an adequate quantity of food grains on a monthly basis. This support is meant to contribute to their overall well-being and alleviate food-related hardships.

Implementation 

The beneficiaries of the National Social Assistance Program (NSAP) scheme will be identified based on the Below Poverty Line (BPL) list prepared by the States/Union Territories (UTs) following the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Rural Development (MORD) for the BPL Census in 2002. In urban areas, the identification of eligible beneficiaries for the NSAP schemes will be conducted based on the BPL list that is required to be prepared in connection with the program. It is basically going to a grand poverty alleviation programe.

Here, you can find out the NSAP guidelines through this link