Losing one’s spouse can create a heavy emotional and financial burden. To support widowed women who are without adequate means of independent support in the state of West Bengal, the state government runs a pension scheme aimed at providing a regular monthly assistance. This article will explain what the scheme is, who is eligible, what documents are required, how to apply, and how to renew the renewal about West Bengal Widow Pension Certificate.
What is the West Bengal Widow Pension Certificate Scheme?
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The scheme, commonly referred to as the West Bengal Widow Pension Certificate Scheme (also under the broader West Bengal Pension Scheme for widows), is a social security initiative by the Government of West Bengal, through its Department of Women & Child Development & Social Welfare. Its objective is to provide monthly financial assistance to widowed women who meet specified eligibility criteria, thereby helping them meet basic needs and maintain a dignified life.
As per the current publicly available information, the monthly pension amount under this scheme is ₹ 1,000 per month. Some sources indicate a range of ₹ 1,000 – ₹ 1,200 per month or a possible variation depending on category and updates.
Eligibility Criteria for West Bengal Widow Pension Certificate:
To qualify for the widow pension scheme in West Bengal, a widowed woman must satisfy several conditions. Key eligibility criteria include:
- The applicant must be a widow (i.e., her spouse is deceased).
- She must be a resident of West Bengal, typically having lived in the state for at least 10 years.
- Her family income (or in some interpretations her own income or household income) must be less than or up to ₹ 1,000 per month.
- She should not be maintained by any of her relatives, meaning she does not have someone legally obligated or able to support her.
- She should not be drawing another pension for the same purpose from the government (for example, an old-age pension or disability pension) in many cases.
Documents Required for West Bengal Widow Pension Certificate Application:
When applying for the pension certificate (or the application form) under the West Bengal Widow Pension Scheme, the applicant will need to submit several documents to support identity, residence, income, marital status, etc. The typical list includes:
- Aadhaar Card of the applicant.
- Identity proof (such as Voter ID, Passport, or PAN card).
- Residence proof in West Bengal / proof of 10-year residence. (Ration Card, Voter ID, etc).
- Death certificate of the husband (in case of a widow).
- Identity proof of the deceased husband (some guidelines specify).
- Non-marriage certificate or certificate of not having remarried (depending on the local requirement) for the widow.
- An income certificate showing that the family income is below the scheme limit.
- Bank account details/passbook of beneficiary (for direct benefit transfer).
- A passport-sized photograph of the applicant.
How to Apply for a West Bengal Widow Pension Certificate?
Here is a step-by-step guide to how widowed women in West Bengal can apply for the West Bengal Widow Pension Certificate under the scheme:
Obtain the Application Form:
The application form (commonly referred to as Form-P or relevant pension form) is available free of cost from certain designated offices:
For rural areas: the Office of the Block Development Officer (BDO) or Executive Officer of the concerned Panchayat Samiti.
For urban/municipal areas (outside Kolkata): the Sub-Divisional Officer’s office.
For Kolkata / KMC area: the Office of the Controller of Vagrancy, West Bengal (Purta Bhawan, Bidhannagar) for residents in Kolkata Municipal Corporation area.
Fill in the Application Form:
Provide all required personal details: name of applicant, father/husband’s name, husband’s death date, residential address, bank account details, income details, etc.
Attach the required documents (listed above).
Ensure that the bank account is active and ideally linked with Aadhaar and in the name of the applicant.
Submit the Form:
Submit the completed application along with self-attested photocopies of documents to the concerned office (BDO or Sub-Divisional Officer) as per your area.
Address the application to the District Magistrate of the concerned district and submit it through the local office.
Verification and Approval:
The application is forwarded for verification of eligibility (residence, income, marital status, bank account etc).
Upon approval, the pension amount will be credited monthly into the beneficiary’s bank account via direct benefit transfer (DBT).
Check Status / Follow-up:
The beneficiary may check the status of her application (in districts where online lists are maintained) or follow up with the local Block/Office if there is delay.
Renewal of West Bengal Widow Pension Certificate:
Since this scheme provides ongoing monthly assistance, renewal or continuation of eligibility is important. Here are key points regarding renewal:
- Once the application is approved, the pension continues monthly unless the beneficiary becomes ineligible (for example, if her income goes above the ceiling, she remarries (if prohibited), or moves residence out of West Bengal).
- The beneficiary must keep her bank account active and should inform the authorities of any change in bank details or Aadhaar linkage.
- The department may conduct periodic verification drives to ensure the beneficiary continues to meet eligibility criteria (residence, income, marital status etc). Failure in verification may lead to discontinuation.
- If there are updates in government policy (for example an increase in pension amount or change in criteria), the beneficiary should check the official circulars and see whether a fresh form or declaration is needed.
- Though explicit “renewal form” may not always be required every year, staying compliant and up-to-date with documents is advisable to avoid stoppage of payments.
Conclusion:
The West Bengal Widow Pension Certificate is an important social safety net for widowed women who are living without adequate support. By offering a monthly pension (currently around ₹ 1,000 per month) to eligible beneficiaries, the state government aims to provide some financial stability. To benefit from the scheme, a widow must meet the residence, income, marital-status and other eligibility criteria; must submit the correct documents; complete and submit the application form; and maintain compliance for continuation.
FAQ:
Q. What is the amount of pension under the West Bengal Widow Pension Scheme?
A. The scheme provides a monthly pension of ₹ 1,000 per month to eligible widows. There are some indications of amounts up to ₹ 1,200 for certain categories or updates.
Q. Who can apply for the West Bengal Widow Pension Certificate scheme?
A. A widow residing in West Bengal (typically at least 10 years of residence) whose family income is below the prescribed limit and who is not maintained by a relative. She should not be receiving another pension for the same purpose.
Q. Can a woman who has remarried apply?
A. Generally, the scheme is for widows who are not remarried. Some guidelines require a non-marriage certificate or non-remarriage declaration.
Q. Is there an online application option?
A. The scheme is primarily offline via District/B-Block offices. Some districts may have online status checking.