Who Is Eligible For Widow's Pension

Recently, my friend’s sister-in-law asked me who is eligible for widow's pension. I was unsure about it. So, I researched and found the widow pension schemes are designed to provide financial support to widows. It is especially for those who are from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Who Qualifies for a Widow's Pension?

The eligibility criteria for these schemes can vary based on the specific program and the state in which the applicant resides. Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS): This central government scheme targets widows aged between 40 and 79 years from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. 

Applicants must not be remarried and should not be receiving any other government pension. Several states have their own widow pension schemes with varying eligibility criteria:

• Uttar Pradesh: Widows aged between 18 and 60 years, residing in the state, with a family income not exceeding Rs 10,000 per month, are eligible. The monthly pension provided is Rs 500.

• Haryana: Widows aged 18 years and above, residing in Haryana for at least one year, with an annual income below Rs 3,00,000, are eligible. The pension amount is Rs 3,000 per month.

• Delhi: Widows residing in Delhi for more than five years, with an annual income not exceeding Rs 1,00,000, are eligible for the Delhi Pension Scheme for Women in Distress.

General Eligibility Criteria Across Schemes:

• Age: Typically between 18 and 60 years, though this can vary.

• Residency: Must be a resident of the state offering the scheme.

• Income: Family income should be below a specified threshold, often linked to BPL status.

• Marital Status: Applicant must be a widow and not remarried.

I hope you understand who is eligible for a widow's pension.

There are several schemes initiated by the government to help the widows and I would have not ever known about the schemes if our maid had not discussed it with my mother. She recently lost her husband in a car accident and was asking us about the widow pension scheme in Tamilnadu eligibility. My mother took a week’s time and could gather enough information. The pension is actually quite less compared to prices of goods nowadays but having some amount is better than no amount. 

What is the Widow pension scheme eligibility in Tamilnadu?

I got to know that a woman should be above 

• 21 years to avail the widow pension scheme 

• she must have no other source of income

• The woman should belong the below poverty line group

• Must not possess property value more than Rs 5,000.

• She must belong from Tamilnadu

I hope these points answer your question of who is eligible for widow's pension.

Our maid has a son and she works for several houses so I think she won't be able to avail it. Yet we have requested her to ask about it to the authorities or other widows in her neighbourhood. Still I think the above mentioned points are the eligibility for widow pension to get Rs 1000 per month.

There are several old age schemes as well to help the poor or people in need. We have asked her to avail more schemes so that they can help her. This is all I got to know about the widow pension scheme in Tamilnadu eligibility and I hope it is helpful.