Widow Pension Scheme
বিধবা ভাতা (বিধবা পেনশন / জয় বাংলা সামাজিক পেনশন)
Quick Summary & Overview
The Widow Pension Scheme in West Bengal provides social security and monthly financial assistance of ₹1,000 per month to eligible widows facing economic hardship in the state. West Bengal's social pension schemes operate under the Jai Bangla umbrella system, with Widow Pension being one of the key pension categories represented in the Jai Bangla portal. The Department of Women & Child Development and Social Welfare administers the state Widow Pension Scheme. Additionally, West Bengal implements the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) for eligible rural beneficiaries. Approved pension benefits are transferred directly to beneficiary bank accounts through the Government payment system upon official eligibility verification and sanctioning.
Scheme Benefits
- Social security and financial assistance of ₹1,000 per month provided to eligible widows in West Bengal.
- Administered by the Department of Women & Child Development and Social Welfare under the Jai Bangla umbrella framework.
- Implementation of Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) for eligible rural BPL beneficiaries under NSAP.
- Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) directly into beneficiary bank accounts upon official verification and sanctioning.
Scheme Components Breakdown
This scheme operates under distinct components with separate eligibility criteria and benefit structures.
State Women & Child Development Widow Pension Scheme
Target / Age: Eligible Widows in West Bengal
- •Administered by the Department of Women & Child Development and Social Welfare, Government of West Bengal.
- •Provides ₹1,000 per month financial assistance to eligible widows facing economic hardship.
- •Operated through the official Jai Bangla umbrella pension framework.
Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS)
Target / Age: Age 40 to 79 Years (Widows, BPL)
- •Applicable to rural eligible beneficiaries under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP).
- •As described by the West Bengal Panchayat & Rural Development Department: Widows belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) households in the age group of 40–79 years.
- •Pension amount: ₹1,000 per month (Central Share: ₹300, State Share: ₹700).
- •Note: These IGNWPS/NSAP criteria do not apply automatically to every state Widow Pension beneficiary.
Other Social Pension Schemes in West Bengal
West Bengal operates separate pension schemes with dedicated eligibility criteria for specific beneficiary groups under the Jai Bangla umbrella framework.
Old Age Pension
Monthly social security financial support provided to eligible elderly persons in West Bengal.
Disability Pension (Manabik)
Monthly financial assistance provided to eligible persons with benchmark disabilities in West Bengal.
Jai Johar Scheme
Dedicated social pension scheme for eligible elderly persons belonging to Scheduled Tribe (ST) community in West Bengal.
Taposili Bandhu Scheme
Dedicated social pension scheme for eligible elderly persons belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) community in West Bengal.
Eligibility Requirements
Additional Eligibility Conditions:
- State WCD Widow Pension: Eligibility depends on the applicable West Bengal Widow Pension scheme and current Government guidelines. Applicants should verify the latest requirements through the official Government pension service before applying.
- IGNWPS (NSAP Rural): Widows belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) households aged 40–79 years as per West Bengal Panchayat & Rural Development Department implementation.
- Application approval and pension payment remain subject to official Government verification and sanctioning.
Required Documents Checklist
How to Apply
Access Official Government Pension Services
Widow Pension services and information are available through official West Bengal Government channels, including applicable Jai Bangla portal (jaibangla.wb.gov.in) and Bangla Sahayata Kendra (BSK) services.
Visit PortalVerify Category-Specific Requirements
Identify whether applying for the State WCD Widow Pension or IGNWPS, and confirm specific eligibility criteria with local block / municipal or BSK officials.
Visit PortalSubmit Application for Verification
Submit the application along with required scheme documents through designated official Government channels for verification and sanction.
Track Applicant Status
Check applicant status using the official Jai Bangla system (jaibangla.wb.gov.in). Approved pension benefits are credited directly via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Visit PortalApplication Status Check
Check Applicant Status through the official Jai Bangla portal at jaibangla.wb.gov.in.
Track Application StatusOfficial Sources & References
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Scheme Guides
Old Age Pension
বার্ধক্য ভাতা (ওভার এজ পেনশন / জয় বাংলা সামাজিক পেনশন)
Financial assistance provided to eligible elderly persons in West Bengal to support their social and economic security through the Jai Bangla system and NSAP/IGNOAPS.
Manabik Pension Scheme
মানবিক পেনশন প্রকল্প (মানবিক স্কিম / WCD Manabik)
Financial support and social security of ₹1,000 per month provided to eligible persons with disabilities (18 years and above, 40%+ disability) in West Bengal.
Jai Johar Scheme
জয় জোহার প্রকল্প (জয় জোহার বৃদ্ধ ভাতা / Jai Johar Pension)
Social security and monthly old age pension of ₹1,000 per month for eligible senior citizens (60 years & above) belonging to Scheduled Tribe (ST) community in West Bengal.