Apply Widow Pension Scheme
Apply for the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) through your state's social welfare department to get a monthly pension credited directly to a BPL widow's bank account.
Required Documents
Step-by-Step Process
Confirm Eligibility
Check that you are a widow within the age range set by your state (commonly 40-59 years, with Old Age Pension applicable from 60 onward) and belong to a BPL household per NSAP norms.
Collect Application Form
Get the widow pension application form from the Gram Panchayat/ward office, Block Development Office (BDO), or your state's social welfare/NSAP portal.
Submit Form with Documents
Attach the death certificate, age proof, BPL/income certificate, and bank passbook copy, then submit the filled form at the Panchayat/Tehsil/ward office or upload it on the state NSAP/pension portal.
Verification by Local Officials
The Village Revenue Officer/Tehsildar or BDO verifies the widow's income, residence, and family details, sometimes through a field visit, before recommending sanction.
Sanction and DBT Disbursal
Once sanctioned by the district social welfare officer, the monthly pension (central share plus any state top-up) is credited directly to the widow's Aadhaar-linked bank account every month via Direct Benefit Transfer.
Pro Tips & Warnings
- The central NSAP contribution is only Rs 300/month for ages 40-79 (Rs 500 from 80 years); most of the actual pension amount comes from state top-ups, so total amounts vary widely by state.
- A widow already receiving old age pension or another NSAP pension component cannot claim widow pension simultaneously in most states - check for double-benefit restrictions.
- Keep your bank account seeded with Aadhaar and update your mobile number with the bank, since DBT payments and status alerts depend on these being current.