How to Apply For Bihar Widow Pension Certificate

Bihar Widow Pension Certificate

The Bihar Widow Pension Certificate allows widowed women in Bihar to receive monthly financial assistance under state and central social security schemes. This pillar-style guide covers how to apply online and offline, eligibility, documents required, pension amounts, tracking, renewal, common problems and fixes.

Official portals:

Bihar Social Security Pension Portal: https://sspmis.bihar.gov.in/ (e-Labharthi / SSPMIS).
e-Labharthi / Service Portal (apply online): https://serviceonline.bihar.gov.in/.

A Widow Pension Certificate confirms eligibility and is required to receive pension payments under schemes such as the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) and state-level pensions. In Bihar, the state government recently revised the monthly social security pension rate for elders, the disabled, and widows. Please verify exact credit dates on the official portal.

What is the Widow Pension Scheme in Bihar?

Table of Contents

Bihar provides widow pension support through both central and state programs:

IGNWPS (Central) — administered under the National Social Assistance Programme; targets BPL widows in a specified age band.

State Social Security / Lakshmi Bai or Laxmi Bai Pension (Bihar) — state-level top-up/coverage that extends support to widows outside the central scheme age or income brackets. Many districts also run welfare disbursements via SSPMIS / e-Labharthi.

Administering department: Department of Social Welfare / Social Security Pension Wing, Government of Bihar. Official beneficiary registration and status is handled via SSPMIS and e-Labharthi portals.

Eligibility Criteria:

To apply for a widow’s pension in Bihar, you generally must satisfy:

Age requirement
- For IGNWPS (central): typically 40–59 years (check current NSAP guidance).
- For state schemes (e.g., Lakshmi Bai), state rules often cover widows 18 years and above (varies by scheme/district).
Income / BPL requirement
- Many central pensions require BPL household status; state schemes may accept an income certificate instead (annual/family income thresholds vary).
Residential requirement
- Must be a permanent resident of Bihar (PRC / local residence proof accepted).
Marital / Remarriage rules
- Applicant must be a widow. Remarriage generally disqualifies continued pension receipt.
Special categories
- Priority or relaxed norms often apply for widows with disabilities, destitute widows, SC/ST beneficiaries and widows with dependent minor children. District rules may add concessions.

Verification note: Age and income cut-offs may be updated — confirm exact eligibility on SSPMIS or the Bihar service portal before applying.

Documents Required

Keep these ready before applying:

Husband’s Death Certificate (original + copy)
Aadhaar Card (can be mandatory for authentication)
Residence proof (Ration Card / Voter ID / PRC / Utility bill)
Bank passbook (first page) or cancelled cheque (for DBT)
BPL Card or Income Certificate (if BPL not available)
Recent passport-size photograph
Mobile number for OTP/communication
Any self-declaration forms required by the district office

Pension Amount in Bihar

Latest update (June–July 2025): The Bihar government announced an increase in social security pension (old age, widow, disability) from ₹400 to ₹1,100 per month with the revised disbursal schedule starting July 2025 — confirm on the SSPMIS / government press releases for your district.

Central IGNWPS rate (reference): Historically the central component has been ₹300–₹500 depending on age slabs; states often add a top-up. Always verify on NSAP / MyScheme pages.

Comparison Table — Bihar vs Nearby States

State	Approx. Monthly Widow Pension (typical 2025 rates)	Scheme
Bihar	₹1,100 (state social security pension revised June–July 2025).	SSPMIS / State Pension
Jharkhand	₹500–₹600 (district-level figures show ~₹600 in some districts).	State Social Security / District pensions
Uttar Pradesh	~₹1,000 (varies by scheme; destitute women pension commonly reported at ~₹1,000).

Note: These amounts change by state budget decisions and district rules — always confirm the current rate on official state portals.

How to Apply for Bihar Widow Pension Certificate (Online Method)

Step-by-step (Online / e-Labharthi / SSPMIS):

Visit the Official Portal — SSPMIS / e-Labharthi: https://sspmis.bihar.gov.in/ or serviceonline.bihar.gov.in.
Register / Login — create an account with mobile number and OTP (or login if already registered).
Choose Service — select “Widow Pension” / Social Security Pension service (IGNWPS / Laxmi Bai / MVPY as applicable).
Fill Application Form — enter personal, family, income and bank details accurately.
Upload Documents — scan and upload death certificate, Aadhaar, bank passbook, income/BPL proof, photo. Keep file sizes reasonable (200–300 KB recommended).
Submit & Save Acknowledgment — submit the application and note the Application ID or acknowledgment receipt.
Track Application — use the portal’s Track Status feature (enter Application ID) or contact the local Block/District Social Welfare office.

How to Apply Offline

Offline steps:

Visit your Gram Panchayat / Block Development Office / Municipal Office / District Social Welfare Office.
Collect the printed Widow Pension Application Form (or get it through the Panchayat secretary).
Fill the form carefully (use black ink; fill every mandatory field).
Attach photocopies of required documents (death certificate, Aadhaar, bank passbook, income proof, photo).
Submit to the designated officer and collect the receipt/acknowledgement number.
Follow up with the local office or track online using the acknowledgment number.

Track Application Status

Use the SSPMIS “Beneficiary Status / Track Application” tool (enter application number / Aadhaar as per portal instructions).
Alternatively, visit the District Social Welfare Office or contact your Block / Panchayat for updates.

Renewal / Re-Verification Process

Frequency: Periodic re-verification may be required (commonly every 1–3 years or as per state notification).
Documents for re-verification: Aadhaar, updated bank info, photograph, income certificate and any forms requested by the district.
Where to do it: SSPMIS portal (online) or at the Block/District Social Welfare Office or MeeSeva / CSC where available.

Common Issues & Solutions

Problem: Aadhaar mismatch or authentication failure.
Solution: Update Aadhaar data via UIDAI or visit linkage center; re-run authentication on SSPMIS.
Problem: Document upload errors / file too large.
Solution: Compress files or convert to optimized PDF/JPG (200–300 KB). Use a scanner app and crop margins.
Problem: Application rejected for missing info.
Solution: Check mandatory fields, ensure death certificate and income/BPL proof are legible; re-submit or visit local office.
Problem: Pension not credited even after approval.
Solution: Verify bank account details (Aadhaar seeding), contact bank and local welfare office, and check disbursal schedule on SSPMIS.

Important Government Links

SSPMIS / Bihar Social Security Pension Portal (apply / status): https://sspmis.bihar.gov.in/.
Bihar Service Portal / e-Labharthi (apply online): https://serviceonline.bihar.gov.in/.
NSAP / Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension (Govt. of India): NSAP / MyScheme pages.

FAQ:

Q. How much is widow pension in Bihar?

A. Recent state notification increased the social security pension to ₹1,100 per month (from June/July 2025); confirm on SSPMIS.

Q. How to apply for widow pension online in Bihar?

A. Apply via SSPMIS / e-Labharthi portal — register, choose Widow Pension, upload documents, submit.

Q. Can I apply without a BPL card?

A. Yes — provide a valid Income Certificate where state schemes accept income proof in place of a BPL card.

Q. What is the age limit for widow pension in Bihar?

A. Central IGNWPS typically covers 40–59 years; state schemes may cover women 18+. Confirm per-scheme ages before applying.

Q. What documents are required?

A. Death certificate, Aadhaar, residence proof, bank details, income/BPL proof, photo.

Q. How long does approval take?

A. Processing typically takes 15–60 days depending on verification; local delays may occur.

Q. How do I track my application?

A. Use the SSPMIS / e-Labharthi Track Status feature with your application ID.

Q. Will pension stop after remarriage?

A. Yes; remarriage generally disqualifies the pension — inform authorities to avoid irregular payments.

Q. Can CSC / MeeSeva centers help apply?

A. Yes — many districts provide assistance at Common Service Centres (CSC) for online submission.

Q. Who to contact for grievance or follow-up?

A. Local District Social Welfare Office, Panchayat Secretary or SSPMIS helpdesk (see portal for contact numbers).

Conclusion:

The Bihar Widow Pension Certificate ensures widows access vital monthly cash support. Apply through the SSPMIS / e-Labharthi portals or your local Gram Panchayat / District Social Welfare office, keep documents ready, and track your application online. For policy changes, always rely on official Bihar portals and government press releases.