Vridha Pension Yojana {वृद्धावस्था पेंशन योजना}

Nowadays it becomes very tough to earn money in old age. If you are also a senior citizen and you do not have any source of regular income for your expenses, then you are free to get benefits of the old-age pension scheme of the Central or State Government. There is an equal contribution of both the central and state governments in the old-age pension scheme. The amount of pension provided to the eligible applicant will depend on every state of the country.

Overview

• The person can get more than Rs 1000 a month as an old-age pension in states like Delhi, Haryana, and Andhra Pradesh. 
• The person can get Rs 550 per month as an old-age pension in Himachal Pradesh. 
• The person can get Rs 500 per month as an old-age pension in Rajasthan. 
• The person can get Rs 600 per month as an old-age pension in Maharashtra. 
• The person can get Rs 400 and 300 per month as an old-age pension in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. 
• This scheme is launched to provide fixed income to the senior citizens to bear their expenses in the country to live.
• The government provides pension to senior citizens of the country under the social security scheme.
• The National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS) was firstly started in 1995. 
• The old-age pension scheme is launched by both the governments' central and state governments.
• Both governments provide the amount that the senior citizens get under this scheme. Some part of the amount is by the centre and some by the state government.

Number of Citizens Covered

According to government records, at present, 3.5 crore people in the country are availing the benefit of the old-age pension scheme. At present, 3.19 crore people are getting benefits in the central government pension scheme as well as 28.74 lakh senior citizens are in the state government scheme.

Overall Pension Amount

• Every month the senior citizen will be able to get a pension at the rate of Rs 400-600 under this scheme.
• The share provided by the central government in the old-age pension is Rs 200 per month since 2006.
• The central government offers extra help to the states for the remaining amount of the pension under this scheme.
• To get the benefits of this scheme, the age of the senior citizen was 65 years, but now it has been reduced to 60 years from 2011.

The Process to Get the Pension

The beneficiaries or the person who is eligible to get a pension under this scheme can apply for the National Old Age Pension Scheme or Vridha Pension Yojana at home. The process of its application has been started online from 1 April 2016. The interested candidates can apply to get a pension.

Amount of Pension for Senior Citizens

• The Senior citizens whose age is between 60 to 79 years can get pension benefits at the rate of Rs 300-1000 every month. 
• In this amount, 200 rupees will be given as contribution by the Government of India as well as the remaining amount will be delivered by the State Government.
• The amount provided in this scheme is under Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension at the rate of Rs 500 per month to the people whose age is 80 years or more.

Eligibility Criteria for Vridha Pension Yojana

To get the benefits of the old-age pension scheme, the applicant must have to fulfil the eligibility criteria for the scheme. Details about the eligibility criteria are mentioned below. The applicant must read these details carefully before applying for the programme.

• To get the benefit of the National Old Age Pension Scheme, the age of the senior citizens must be 60 years or above 60 years of age.
• The applicant who is applying under this scheme must belong to a family living below the poverty line (BPL).
• If the son or grandson of the senior citizen is 20+ years and he is also living below the poverty line, then the applicant is eligible to apply for this scheme and to avail the benefits of this scheme.
• The senior citizens who are above 60 years of age and not belong to the BPL category can also be able to get a full amount of old-age pension from the state government.

The Online Registration Process

The applicant who is eligible for this scheme according to the criteria mentioned above can apply by following an easy process. The process to get enrolled under the Old Age Pension Scheme is discussed below:

1. To start the process of registration, the beneficiary has to visit the official website.

2. After visiting the official website you will see an option of the old-age pension scheme is given, and then click on it. 

3. After clicking on it, a new page will open on your screen in which some options will be offered. You have to select the 'Apply Online' option and click on it. 

4. When you click on it, there will be four options in front of you. Out of these four options, you have to click on 'New Entry Form'.

5. On clicking on 'New Entry Form', a new application form will appear on your computer screen just like the one shown below.

6. Now you have to enter all the required details in the application form.

7. After entering all the details, click on the Save button, which will appear at the bottom of the application form.

8. Then you have to attach all the required documents along with the application form like you have to provide the Aadhaar number, identity proof, etc.

9. After the completion of the application form, all the information related to pension will be sent on your registered mobile number with an SMS.

Documents Required

The applicants have to submit some necessary documents to complete the registration process for the scheme. List of all the required documents is mentioned below:

• The applicant must have to provide an age certificate to get benefits of the old-age pension scheme.
• The candidate is required to have a bank account in a nationalized bank to get the amount of pension. So bank details of candidates are required.
• The Latest photo of the applicant is necessary as an identity proof.
• The applicants also have to provide Aadhaar card number, Bank passbook, income certificate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the objective of the Vridha Pension Yojana?

The main motive of this scheme is to provide financial support to the senior citizens who belong to the BPL category.

Q: What is the age criterion to get benefits from this scheme?

Any citizen of India whose age is 60+ years as well as belonging to below poverty line can apply for this scheme and get benefits.

Q: How much pension will be provided to the age group 60 to 79 years under this scheme?

Three hundred fifty Rupees per month will be provided to the age group 60 to 79 years in which the Central government contribution is two hundred Rupees, and State contribution is one fifty Rupees.

Q: How much pension will be provided to the age group 80 years or above under this scheme?

Six hundred fifty Rupees per month will be provided to the age group 80 years or above in which Central government contribution is Rs. 500, and State contribution is Rs. 150. 

Q: Is it a central government scheme or state government scheme?

This scheme is being processed under both governments. Both the government has contributed to this scheme.