Losing a spouse can bring financial and emotional challenges. To provide support to widows who may be in vulnerable economic situations, the Government of Uttar Pradesh runs a Widow Pension Scheme. Under this scheme, eligible widows receive monthly financial assistance to help meet their living expenses and reduce economic hardship. So, let’s learn about the Uttar Pradesh Widow Pension Certificate.
What is the Uttar Pradesh Widow Pension Certificate?
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The Widow Pension Scheme in Uttar Pradesh is a welfare initiative aimed at widowed women (and/or destitute women) who meet certain eligibility criteria. The scheme provides a monthly pension payment, subject to verification and compliance with rules. For example:
- For the year 2024-25, the scheme provides a monthly pension amount of ₹ 1,000 for eligible widows.
- The scheme is administered through the portal SSPY Portal (Integrated Social Pension Portal) of Uttar Pradesh for online registration/application.
- It aims to cover widows who are economically weak, do not get other pensions, and satisfy the residency, income and other eligibility criteria.
Eligibility Criteria for Uttar Pradesh Widow Pension Certificate:
To apply for and receive the pension under Uttar Pradesh Widow Pension Certificate, you must satisfy the following key eligibility conditions:
Widow status: The applicant must be a widow (i.e., her husband has passed away). She should not have remarried.
Age: The minimum age is typically 18 years or older. Some sources mention the upper age as around 60 years, though many simply say “18 years or older”.
Residency: The applicant must be a permanent resident of Uttar Pradesh and have proof of residence.
Income / economic status:
- The family’s annual income must be below a specified threshold; for example, some sources mention up to ₹ 2 lakh per annum.
- She must not already be receiving another pension benefit under certain state/central pension schemes.
Other conditions:
- She should not be receiving a pension under many other government welfare pension schemes.
- The scheme is often meant for “destitute” or economically disadvantaged widows. There may be additional rules (e.g., about landholding, vehicle ownership, etc) depending on the district.
If you satisfy these conditions, you may be eligible to apply for the Widow Pension Certificate (i.e., apply for inclusion in the scheme).
Documents Required for Uttar Pradesh Widow Pension Certificate Application:
When you apply, you will need to submit a number of supporting documents. These typically include:
- Proof of identity (e.g., Aadhaar card, Voter ID) of the widow.
- Husband’s Death Certificate. This is crucial to prove the widow’s status.
- Proof of residence/domicile in Uttar Pradesh (e.g., ration card, domicile certificate, address proof).
- Bank passbook or bank account details (so that pension amount can be transferred via DBT).
- Income certificate of the family (to verify that the income falls under the allowable limit).
- A recent passport-size photograph of the applicant.
- Age proof/birth certificate / any certificate indicating the age of the applicant.
You may also be asked for additional documents depending on your district, such as verification by the Gram Sabha, land or asset declaration, etc. It is advisable to keep originals plus self-attested photocopies for submission.
How to Apply for a Uttar Pradesh Widow Pension Certificate?
Here is the step-by-step process to apply for the Uttar Pradesh Widow Pension Certificate:
Check your eligibility:
Before applying, verify that you meet all eligibility criteria: widow status, residence in UP, age requirement, income threshold, no duplicate pension, etc.
Gather required documents:
Collect all the required documents listed above: identity proof, death certificate of husband, bank passbook, income certificate, residence proof, photo, age proof.
How to Apply – Online or Offline:
The scheme allows both online and offline application routes.
Online mode:
- Go to the official SSPY portal of UP (Integrated Social Pension Portal): https://sspy-up.gov.in (Select the “Widow Pension” section).
- Click on “Apply Online” under the Widow Pension category.
- Fill in the online application form carefully: district, name, address, husband’s death date, bank details, income, etc.
- Upload the scanned copies of your documents.
- Apply and note down the application number/reference for future tracking.
Offline mode:
- Visit your local Block Development Office / Tehsil / District Social Welfare Office or the Women Welfare Department office in your district.
- Obtain the physical application form for the Widow Pension Scheme.
- Fill out the form, attach all required documents (self-attested copies), and submit them at the designated office.
- The office will issue an acknowledgment and tell you about verification.
Verification and Approval:
Once you submit your application (online or offline), the department will carry out verification of your documents and eligibility. This may involve field verification by Gram Sabha or Block officials, checking your bank account, etc.
Receipt of Pension:
After successful verification and sanctioning, the monthly pension amount (₹ 1,000 per month as the current guideline) will be credited directly into your bank account via DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer).
Make sure your bank account remains active, your details are correct, and you monitor your credit of pension.
Renewal of Uttar Pradesh Widow Pension Certificate:
- Once you are a beneficiary, you will need to comply with periodic verification or renewal formalities as prescribed by the state or district welfare department.
- You may be required to submit a “life certificate” or proof of continued eligibility (income has not increased above the limit, no remarriage, still resident in UP, etc).
- If your situation changes (for example, if you remarry, your income rises above the threshold, you move out of UP, or you start getting another pension), you must inform the department, as you may become ineligible.
- If you stop receiving pension or believe it has been discontinued, you should check your application status on the portal, contact your district office, or check the pensioner list for your area.
Conclusion:
The Widow Pension Scheme in Uttar Pradesh is a valuable support mechanism for widows facing economic hardship. By providing a monthly pension of ₹ 1,000, the scheme contributes to financial security and dignity. To benefit, ensure you meet eligibility criteria, carefully prepare your documents, apply either online or offline, track your application status, and comply with renewal or verification requirements. If you need help, your local women welfare or social welfare department office in your district is the best point of contact.
FAQ:
Q. How much pension will I receive under the scheme?
A. Currently, eligible widows receive a monthly pension of ₹ 1,000 under the scheme in Uttar Pradesh.
Q. Can I apply if I’m over 60 years of age?
A. Yes, the scheme broadly mentions the minimum age as 18 years (or older). While some older documents mentioned upper age limits (like 60 years), the more recent information simply states “widows aged 18 years or older”. It is advisable to check with your local district office for exact age criteria.
Q. What if I am already receiving another pension scheme?
A. If you are already receiving a pension from another state/central scheme, you are typically not eligible for this Widow Pension Scheme (or might have to forego the other scheme). Always check your eligibility and status of other pensions.