- Gives a monthly pension to senior citizens, widows, and persons with disabilities from poor households.
- Offers one-time financial assistance to a family after the death of its primary earning member.
- Supplies free monthly food grains to eligible elderly persons not covered under pension support.
- Transfers all assistance directly into the beneficiary’s bank or post office account.
- NSAP Contact Details
- National Social Assistance Programme Email: mis-nsap@nic.in
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Summary of the Scheme
|
|
|---|---|
| Name of Scheme | Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana |
| Benefits |
|
| Beneficiary | Eligible senior citizens, widows, persons with disabilities, and bereaved families. |
| Nodal Agency | Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India. |
| Subscription | Subscribe here to get Update Regarding Scheme |
| Mode of Apply | Online and Offline |
Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana: Pensions, Family Benefit and Free Food Grains for Vulnerable Households
Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana (PMSSY) is the central government’s social security programme for senior citizens, widows, persons with disabilities and families that lose their breadwinner. It is the renamed National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), and in October 2026 the Union Cabinet approved its continuation along with a revision to the disability pension.
What is the scheme?
PMSSY is implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development, with support from state and Union Territory governments. It provides monthly pensions, a one-time family benefit and free food grains to people from Below Poverty Line (BPL) households. All payments go directly into the beneficiary’s bank or post office account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), in place since December 2014.
The Cabinet approved continuing the programme under its new name for 2026-27 to 2030-31, with an outlay of ₹53,428 crore and estimated coverage of 3.20 crore beneficiaries across 36 States and Union Territories.
Scheme at a glance
| Benefits | Monthly pensions, ₹20,000 one-time family benefit, 10 kg free food grains |
| Who can apply | BPL senior citizens, widows, persons with disabilities, bereaved families |
| Nodal agency | Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India |
| Mode of application | Online (UMANG) and offline (Gram Panchayat or Municipality) |
| mis-nsap@nic.in |
The five components
Four components were renamed on 14 October 2026. The Annapurna Scheme keeps its name.
| Former name | New name | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme | Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana | Monthly pension for BPL senior citizens |
| Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme | Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana | Monthly pension for BPL widows |
| Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme | Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana | Monthly pension for BPL persons with disabilities |
| National Family Benefit Scheme | Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana | One-time lump sum on death of the breadwinner |
| Annapurna Scheme | Not renamed | Monthly food grains for elderly persons not receiving the old-age pension |
How much does each component give?
| Component | Assistance |
|---|---|
| Old-age pension | ₹200/month (ages 60 to 79); ₹500/month (80 and above) |
| Widow pension | ₹300/month (up to 79); ₹500/month (80 and above) |
| Disability pension | ₹375/month (ages 0 to 79); ₹625/month (80 and above) |
| Family benefit | ₹20,000 one-time |
| Annapurna Scheme | 10 kg wheat or rice per month, free |
States and UTs can add their own contribution on top of the central amounts, so many beneficiaries receive more than these figures.
What changed for disability pension?
On 14 October 2026, the Union Cabinet approved revised disability pension rates and eligibility:
- Higher rates: ₹375 per month for ages 0 to 79 and ₹625 per month for 80 and above.
- Lower disability threshold: benchmark disability of 40% instead of 80%.
- No minimum age: eligibility now applies from birth, instead of from 18 years.
These changes depend on detailed guidelines from the Ministry, expected within three months of approval. Check the latest guidelines with your state authorities before applying.
Who is eligible?
All applicants must belong to a BPL household, as identified by the state or UT.
- Old-age pension: aged 60 or above.
- Widow pension: a widow aged 40 or above.
- Disability pension: benchmark disability of 40% or more, with no minimum age (revised criteria pending formal guidelines).
- Family benefit: the deceased breadwinner must have been over 18 and under 60 at the time of death. A homemaker also counts as a breadwinner.
- Annapurna Scheme: an elderly person otherwise eligible for the old-age pension but not receiving it. Priority goes to people affected by leprosy, HIV/AIDS, cancer or TB, and to bonded labourers, transgender persons and manual scavengers.
Identification is meant to be proactive. Gram Panchayats and Municipalities are expected to reach out to eligible households, so the burden doesn’t rest only on the beneficiary.
Documents required
- Aadhaar card, Voter ID or Ration Card
- Birth certificate or school certificate as age proof
- BPL family details (family ID and member ID), where applicable
- Bank or post office account details
- Disability certificate (disability pension)
- Husband’s death certificate or widowhood certificate (widow pension)
- Death certificate of the breadwinner (family benefit)
- Recent photograph, if the form requires it
Requirements vary by state or UT, so confirm the final list with the local authority.
How to apply
Online, through UMANG
- Download the UMANG app or visit the UMANG portal.
- Register or log in with your mobile number and OTP.
- Search for “NSAP” or the specific pension scheme.
- Select the service for your State/UT, where available.
- Click Apply Online.
- Fill in your personal details, BPL household information, Aadhaar number and bank or post office account details.
- Upload the supporting documents.
- Submit and note the reference number for tracking.
Offline
- Visit your Gram Panchayat (rural) or Municipality/Ward office (urban).
- Collect the form for the relevant component, or download a local-language version if your state offers one.
- Fill it in and attach the documents.
- Submit it to the designated application receiver.
- A Verification Officer checks your application, typically within two weeks.
- It is discussed in the Gram Sabha or Ward Sabha along with the officer’s recommendation.
- The Sanctioning Authority issues a Sanction Order if approved, which should happen within 60 days of submission.
- You receive a Pension Passbook for pension schemes, and payments are credited to your account monthly (pensions) or once (family benefit).
Online and offline applications are both processed through the NSAP-MIS system. Online availability varies by component and state.
If your application is rejected
You can file a first appeal with the designated Appellate Authority and a second appeal (review) with the Reviewing Authority, as notified by your State Government.
Need help?
Write to mis-nsap@nic.in, or visit the NSAP portal for guidelines, application and pension payment trackers, and the complaint submission link.
Frequently asked questions
Is PMSSY a new scheme?
No. It is NSAP under a new name, continuing for 2026-27 to 2030-31.
Do existing NSAP beneficiaries need to reapply after the rename?
The source material doesn’t say they must. Confirm with your Gram Panchayat, Municipality or state authority.
How much is the disability pension now?
₹375 per month for ages 0 to 79 and ₹625 per month for 80 and above, subject to the Ministry’s detailed guidelines.
What does the family benefit pay?
₹20,000 one-time to a bereaved BPL household.
What does the Annapurna Scheme provide?
10 kg of wheat or rice per month, free, to eligible elderly persons not receiving the old-age pension.
How many people benefit?
About 3.20 crore beneficiaries are estimated across 36 States and UTs.