Financial Assistance Schemes for Older Persons in West Bengal

At Elderly Care India, it is our constant endeavour to compile resources and information that can help older people (senior citizens) become aware of their social welfare rights and access the various schemes, programmes and other benefits offered by the Central and State Governments.

The schemes below have been collated from various sources, including myScheme by the Government of India, so that older people who are poor, underprivileged, destitute, widowed or disabled can access financial support schemes that may help strengthen their financial position.

Since this information has been compiled independently, senior citizens are advised to carry out their own due diligence.

Financial Assistance Schemes for Older Persons in West Bengal can be downloaded here.

Jai Johar (Old Age Pension) Scheme

Information	Details
State / UT	West Bengal
Compiled by	Pankaj Mehrotra, Founder – Elderly Care India
Month/Year	Jan 2025
Scheme Description	Social Security Scheme by the Tribal Development Department, Government of West Bengal. The scheme is aimed at the Scheduled Tribe (ST) residents of West Bengal of the age of 60 years and above who do not receive any other pension from any other authority.
Eligibility	The applicant should be a permanent resident of West Bengal. The applicant should belong to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category. The applicant should have attained the age of 60 years or more. The applicant should not be a beneficiary under any other Social Security pension scheme. The applicant should not be a recipient of Government pension or pension from any other organization.
Central / State Scheme	State Level Scheme, Tribal Development Department
Implementing Agencies	Tribal Development Department
Scheme Details	A monthly pension of ₹1,000/- is transferred directly to the individual bank account of the beneficiary.
Documents Required	Passport Size Photograph Formal Caste or Tribe Certificate (If unavailable, a Caste/Tribe certificate of any paternal relative is acceptable for the initial assessment. However, the applicant must procure their caste certificate later and submit the same subsequently) Digital Ration Card EPIC (Elector's Photo Identity Card)/Voter Card Self-Attested Residential Certificate/Address Proof Copy of Bank Passbook Aadhaar Card
Further Information / Process	The interested applicant should request the prescribed format of the application form free of cost from the office of Block Development Officer (BDO) / Sub Divisional Officer (SDO) / Kolkata Municipal Corporation.

Old Age Pension

Information	Details
State / UT	West Bengal
Compiled by	Pankaj Mehrotra, Founder – Elderly Care India
Month/Year	Jan 2025
Scheme Description	Women and Child Development and Social Welfare Department launched a compassionate initiative called the "Old Age Pension" scheme. The West Bengal Disability Pension Scheme provides financial assistance to persons who are above 60 years and unable to work and earn a living.
Eligibility	Applicant must be a resident of West Bengal State. Applicant must be 60 years old or above, but in the case of physically and mentally handicapped individuals, the age limit for eligibility is 55 years. Applicant should not have any relation capable of providing financial support (here “relation” means: Son / Grand Son / Husband / Wife / Unmarried daughter / Parents). The income of the applicant should not exceed ₹ 1,000/- per month. The applicant should not be a recipient of any other Government pension. The applicant should be residing in the State for not less than ten years on the date of making the application. Professional beggars and mendicants of urban areas (cities and towns) are not eligible for pension under this scheme. Persons receiving “Disability Pension”, “Widow Pension”, “Farmers’ Pension”, “Political Sufferers”, or any other pension of any State Government or the Central Government shall not be eligible for pension under this scheme.
Central / State Scheme	State Level Scheme, Women and Child Development and Social Welfare Department
Implementing Agencies	Women and Child Development and Social Welfare Department
Scheme Details	A monthly pension of ₹1,000/- is transferred directly to the individual bank account of the beneficiary.
Documents Required	Copy of Aadhaar self-attested. Copy of Ration Card.
Further Information / Process	Office of the Block Development Officer or the Executive Officer of the concerned Panchayat Samity in case of the applicant resides in the rural areas under the said Panchayat Samity.