Snehapoorvam Scheme

Description
Kerala Government has launched a noble initiative “Snehapoorvam Scheme” to provide financial assistance to orphans who are living in the family, with their relatives, friends, or the support of the community under the Social Welfare Department implemented through Social Security Mission. The mission has initiated this scheme that aims at bringing these children to the mainstream of society. The statistics reveal that in Kerala, around 75,000 children below 18 years are living in orphanages. Around 1500 orphanages are functioning in Kerala. Almost 80- 90% of the children in orphanages have families and relatives. Many orphans and vulnerable children slip further into poverty once the family’s main breadwinner stops working or dies. There is nothing more traumatic for a child than to see a parent die. Added to this tragedy is the loss of adult guidance and protection. Children without proper adult care are more likely to be abused & exploited. Children in this category include orphans, abandoned children, children who have lost their parents in war, communal riots, natural disasters, accidents, etc. They are not properly fed; they have no shelter, nutritious food, health care, education, or any recreation. Most of them are facing economic and social exploitation. They are deprived of the love and affection of the family and are often unwanted by family members. Objectives of the Scheme: 1. To identify the orphaned children in the community. 1. To assess and prioritize children in the greatest need. 1. To provide social protection to highly vulnerable groups of orphans by strengthening traditional family and community systems for protecting and absorbing orphans. 1. To improve the basic education, social integration, and nutrition of the most vulnerable groups of orphans towards the levels of other children in the community. 1. To encourage families to live their children within the family setup rather than sending them to orphanages. 1. To extend a helping hand to these orphan families by way of providing financial assistance for the education of children.

Exclusions
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Benefits
• <br>
• **Sl. No.****Class/Degree/Course****Amount of Assistance**1Children below 5 years and Class I to V₹300/- per month2Class VI to Class X ₹500/- per month3Class XI and Class XII₹750/- per month4Degree Courses / Professional Degree₹1000/- per month<br>

Eligibility Criteria
1. The applicant should be a resident of Kerala State.
2. The child who has lost either father or mother or both.
3. The applicant should belong to Below Poverty Line (BPL) category.
4. The students from the first standard to degree classes are eligible to apply under the scheme.
5. For children belonging to Above Poverty Line (APL) category, annual income should be below ₹ 20,000 in rural areas (Local body/Grama Panchayat) and ₹22,375 in urban areas (Corporation/ Municipality).
6. **Note:** Candidate children below 5 years of age can be directly eligible.

Required Documents
• Proof of Identity of the child
• Passport-size photograph
• Income certificate
• Copy of BPL card (if applicable)
• Copy of Ration card (if applicable)
• Residence proof
• An attested copy of the Death Certificate of one or both parents
• Bank Passbook/Bank account details

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the “Snehapoorvam Scheme”?
A: Kerala Government has launched "Snehapoorvam Scheme" to provide financial assistance to orphans who are living in the family, with their relatives, friends, or the support of the community under the Social Welfare Department implemented through Social Security Mission. The mission has initiated this scheme that aims at bringing these children to the mainstream of society.

Q: What is the objective of the scheme?
A: The objective of this scheme is to identify the orphaned children in the community, to assess and prioritize children in the greatest need, to provide social protection to highly vulnerable groups of orphans by strengthening traditional family and community systems for protecting and absorbing orphans, to improve the basic education, social integration, and nutrition of the most vulnerable groups of orphans towards the levels of other children in the community, to encourage families to live their children within the family setup rather than sending them to orphanages, to extend a helping hand to these orphan families by way of providing financial assistance for the education of children.

Q: What is the benefit of the scheme?
A: Under the scheme, financial assistance is provided to the eligible applicant- Children below 5 years and Class I to V @ [?]300/- per month, for Class VI to Class X @ [?]500/- per month, for Class XI and class XII @ [?]750/- per month and for degree courses / professional degree @ [?]1000/- per month.

Q: Who is eligible to get the benefits under the scheme?
A: Children who have lost either their father or mother or both are eligible to apply under the scheme.

Q: Is this scheme only for orphaned children?
A: Yes, this scheme is only for orphaned children.

Q: What is the income criterion to avail of the benefits of the scheme?
A: For children belonging to the APL category, annual income should be below [?]20,000 in rural areas (Local body / Grama Panchayat) and [?]22,375 in urban areas (Corporation / Municipality).

Q: Is this scheme for both BPL and APL category children?
A: Yes, this scheme is for both BPL and APL category children.

Q: Is this scheme only for a resident of Kerala?
A: Yes, the applicant should be a resident of Kerala State.

Q: What is the age limit to apply under the scheme?
A: This scheme is for all children who are pursuing a formal education from the first standard to a college degree. However, children below 5 years of age can be directly eligible for the scheme.

Q: Where can an applicant get the application form?
A: The application form can be downloaded from the official website of Kerala Social Security Mission. https://socialsecuritymission.gov.in/appln_info.php

Q: How can an applicant avail of the benefits of the scheme?
A: To avail of the benefits of the scheme, the application form duly filled and necessary documents should be submitted to the head of Aided/Govt. institutions (Schools and Colleges) before 31st October of every year.

Q: Is there any special provision for children who are the below 5 year of old?
A: Yes, children below 5 years can directly apply to Executive Director, Kerala Social Security Mission through the respective child welfare committees.