- It provides a monthly pension of Rs. 1,500/- to eligible beneficiaries.
- The pension amount will be credited directly to the bank account via DBT.
- West Bengal Department of Women & Child Development and Social Welfare Helpline Number:-
- 033-23341563.
- 033-23371797.
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Summary of the Scheme
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|---|---|
| Name of Scheme | West Bengal Old Age Pension Scheme. |
| Launch Year | 2010 |
| Benefits | Monthly Pension of Rs 1,500/- |
| Beneficiary | Senior Citizens of West Bengal. |
| Nodal Agency | Department of Women & Child Development and Social Welfare. |
| Subscription | Subscribe here to get Update Regarding Scheme |
| Mode of Apply | Through West Bengal Old Age Pension Scheme Application Form. |
West Bengal Old Age Pension Scheme: ₹1,500 a Month for Senior Citizens
Growing old without a steady income is one of the hardest situations a family can face. The West Bengal Old Age Pension Scheme was launched by the Government of West Bengal in 2010 to give elderly citizens a regular monthly payment so they can meet daily expenses and live with more security. It is run by the Department of Women & Child Development and Social Welfare.
The pension has just gone up
Earlier, eligible beneficiaries received ₹1,000 a month. The state has raised this to ₹1,500, with effect from 1 August 2026. The money is paid every month through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into the beneficiary’s Aadhaar-linked bank account. The government has also increased the monthly assistance under the Widow Pension and Disability Pension schemes.
If you already receive the old age pension, you do not need to do anything special to get the higher amount, since the increase applies to all eligible beneficiaries. It is still wise to check your bank account and confirm that the new amount is arriving.
Who can apply
The scheme is meant for economically weaker senior citizens who cannot support themselves. The main conditions are:
- The applicant must be a resident of West Bengal and must have lived in the state for at least 10 years at the time of applying.
- The minimum age is 60 years. Physically and mentally disabled applicants can apply from the age of 55.
- The applicant should not have a family member who is capable of providing financial support, such as a son, grandson, husband, wife, unmarried daughter or parents.
- The applicant’s monthly income should not exceed ₹1,000.
- The applicant should not already be receiving any other government pension.
A point worth checking: the published income limit is ₹1,000 a month, which is lower than the new pension amount. The source material does not say whether this limit has been revised along with the increase. If your income is close to the limit, ask the office when you collect the form.
Documents to keep ready
Applicants usually need an Aadhaar card, ration card, voter ID card, income certificate, bank passbook and a recent passport-size photograph. Other documents apply in particular cases: a disability certificate for disabled applicants, and the husband’s death certificate for widows. A nomination form is also included, naming who should be contacted in the event of the beneficiary’s death. The exact list can vary with your circumstances, so confirm it when you collect the form.
How to apply
Applications are made on a prescribed form at a government office, not online. In urban areas, collect the form from the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) office. In rural areas, collect it from the Block Development Officer (BDO) or the Panchayat Samiti office.
Fill in the form carefully, with personal, address, age, family and bank account details, and make sure no field is left incomplete. Attach the supporting documents and submit the form to the same office where you collected it. Keep the acknowledgement slip or Application ID safe, because you will need it later.
After submission, officials verify your details and documents, and the application is then sent to the District Magistrate for final approval. Once approved, the pension begins arriving in your bank account each month.
How to track your application
The West Bengal SAMARTH Portal lets you follow your application online. Open the portal, choose the Track Applicant Status option, and select the Old Age Pension Scheme. Search using your Beneficiary ID, mobile number or Aadhaar number, enter the CAPTCHA, and click Search. The latest status will appear on screen.
How to check whether your payment has been made
The same portal can show whether your pension payment has been processed. Select the Old Age Pension Scheme, choose a search method such as Beneficiary ID, mobile number or Aadhaar number, enter the details and CAPTCHA, and search. Since the money goes straight to your bank account, also check your Aadhaar-linked account once the portal shows the payment as processed.
Where to go with problems
If you have a grievance, contact the District Nodal Officer for your district. The phone numbers given for each district are:
Alipurduar: 03564-257527
Bankura: 03242-240103
Barddhaman: 0342-2663381
Birbhum: 03462-259737
Coochbihar: 03582-225401
Dakshin Dinajpur: 03522-255119
Darjeeling: 0354-2254191
Howrah: 033-26380587
Hooghly: 033-26810832
Jalpaiguri: 03561-220861
Kolkata: 033-23370762
Maldah: 03512-254236
Murshidabad: 03482-250023
Nadia: 03472-254798
North 24 Parganas: 033-25846278
Paschim Medinipur: 03222-265996
Purba Medinipur: 0322-8263135
Puruliya: 03252-224409
South 24 Parganas: 033-24792206
Uttar Dinajpur: 9836008135
Email addresses for most districts are on the official portal.
For general queries, you can call the department helpline at 033-23341563 or 033-23371797, or write to secy.wcdsw@gmail.com.
Quick answers
How much is the pension? ₹1,500 a month from 1 August 2026. Is the government going to increase it? It already has. What is the minimum age? 60 years, or 55 for disabled applicants. Can someone who receives another government pension apply? No, the rules say the applicant should not already receive any other government pension.