Financial Assistance to Widower and Unmarried Persons Scheme : For Widower

Description
The scheme "Financial Assistance to Widower and Unmarried Persons Scheme: For Widower" is implemented by the Social Justice, Empowerment, Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes and Antyodaya SEWA Department, Government of Haryana. The scheme came into effect on 1st July, 2023, with the aim of providing Social Security to Widowers who are unable to sustain themselves from their own sources and are in need of financial assistance from the State. Under this scheme, a monthly financial assistance of ₹2,750/- is provided to a widower who has attained the age of 40 years and has a verified annual income of up to ₹3.00 lakh. A person who is a divorcee or in a live-in relationship shall not be eligible for financial assistance under the scheme.

Exclusions
• The applicant should not be a divorcee or in a live-in relationship.
• The beneficiary shall not be allowed to draw the financial Assistance in case he is already drawing any other pension/financial assistance/annuity from any Government/ Autonomous body.

Benefits
• The scheme provides monthly financial assistance of ₹2750 to eligible beneficiaries.
• The financial assistance will continue until the beneficiary turns 60 years old.
• Mode of Disbursement:
• The financial assistance is disbursed through the Public Finance Management System (PFMS) directly into the beneficiary's bank account.
• Note: The Bank will not permit the beneficiary to withdraw the benefits from outside the district in which he is registered.
• Frequency of Disbursement:
• The assistance is provided on a monthly basis.
• Expected Time of Disbursement:
• The beneficiary list is updated monthly, and payments are processed accordingly.

Eligibility Criteria
1. The applicant should be a domicile of Haryana or have been residing in the state for at least the last 15 years.
2. The applicant should be a widower.
3. The applicant should have attained the age of 40 years.
4. The applicant's verified annual income should be up to ₹3,00,000/-.
5. The applicant should possess a Family ID, as verification is based on data from the Haryana Parivar Pehchaan Authority (HPPA).
6. **Other terms and Conditions:**
7. Any benefits received under the Scheme, by suppressing true information or making wrong claim or the condition for which the pension was granted no longer exists or the beneficiary got married after the grant of benefit, would be recovered as arrears of land revenue with @12% interest per annum.
8. Financial Assistance shall cease to be payable on the death of a beneficiary. However, the amount of assistance will be paid for full month in which death of the beneficiary occurs (any date of the month) to the nominee.
9. Financial Assistance under this scheme shall not be liable to attachment under any court of law.
10. If a person is detected of having more than one bank account under the PFMS, all his bank accounts will be terminated. He would become ineligible to receive benefits under any Social Security Scheme of the State in future.

Required Documents
• Identity Proof
• Domicile Proof/Proof of Haryana residency for at least 15 years
• Income Proof: Verified annual income document
• Family ID: Must be obtained through the Haryana Parivar Pehchaan Act, 2021
• Valid proof of age
• Death Certificate of spouse
• Bank Account Details
• Any other documents as required

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is eligible under the widower category?
A: Widowers aged 40 years or above, with an annual verified income of up to [?]3,00,000, are eligible for financial assistance.

Q: What is the financial assistance amount for widowers?
A: Eligible widowers receive [?]2750 per month.

Q: How long will the assistance be provided to widowers?
A: The assistance continues until the beneficiary turns 60 years old, after which they may transition to the Old Age Samman Allowance Scheme if eligible.

Q: Can a widower apply if he is already receiving another pension?
A: No, a widower cannot apply if he is already receiving any other pension, financial assistance, or annuity from the government or an autonomous body.

Q: What documents are required for widowers?
A: Widowers must submit an Aadhaar Card, Domicile Certificate, Income Certificate, Family ID, Bank Account Details, and the Death Certificate of their spouse.

Q: How is the assistance amount disbursed?
A: The financial assistance is disbursed monthly through the Public Finance Management System (PFMS) directly into the beneficiary's bank account.

Q: What happens if a widower provides false information?
A: If false information is detected, the beneficiary must repay the assistance amount with 12% annual interest, and they may be disqualified from the scheme.

Q: What happens if the bank account linked to the scheme becomes inactive?
A: If a beneficiary's bank account remains inactive for 60 days, it will be marked as "inoperative" and may be closed after 90 days, stopping assistance payments.

Q: Can a widower apply if he is living in a live-in relationship?
A: No, applicants in live-in relationships are not eligible for the scheme.

Q: What should a widower do in case of a change in address?
A: Any change in address must be reported to the District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO).

Q: Can a widower apply for this scheme if he is already receiving another pension from an autonomous body?
A: No, the scheme is not applicable if the applicant is receiving any pension, financial assistance, or annuity from any government or autonomous body.

Q: What happens if a widower leaves Haryana for more than three months?
A: Absence from Haryana for over three months without valid reasons may lead to the suspension of benefits.