Union Cabinet renames old age, widow, disability pension schemes and social assistance programme: Details here

• Renaming of the scheme and sub-schemes

• Revision in eligibility criteria, coverage and rate of assistance for divyangjan pension

• Continuation of pension schemes for old aged & widows and family benefit scheme in its existing form.

What are the new scheme names?

The social security programmes/schemes have been renamed as below:

Changes in disability pension

As per the Union Cabinet release, the amount of assistance under divyangjan pension scheme will now be ₹375 for the age group of 0-79 years and ₹625 for 80 years and above. The following changes have been made along with enhancement of rate of assistance under the scheme:

• The criteria for benchmark disability under the scheme will be 40% against 80% at present.

• Minimum age criterion for the disability pension will now be since birth.

Pension schemes

Meanwhile, the Cabinet release said that pension schemes for old aged and widows and family benefit scheme will continue in its existing form. This will benefit a total of 3.20 crore beneficiaries across all the 36 States/UTs.

"Guidelines consisting of the change in eligibility criteria, no. of beneficiaries and rate of assistance under divyangjan pension will be issued and implemented within three months," Union Cabinet release said.

The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) was launched on August 15, 1995 for assistance to poor households to fulfil the responsibility of the Central Government under the Directive Principles of State Policy in Article 41 of the Constitution of India.