National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)

Launched in 1995, the National Social Assistance Program is a collection of five different schemes started to ensure the financial welfare of the elderly, widows, and persons with disability.The NSAP schemes were started to abide by the Article 41 of the Indian constitution, which states that it is the responsibility of the state government to provide public assistance in the case of unemployment, old age, sickness and disabilities. The National Social Assistance Program helps those in need by paying them every month in the form of social pensions.

Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme

The Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme or the IGNOAPS allows a person who is above the age of 60 years and living below the poverty line to avail monthly pensions. The state and central government together pay a pension amount of Rs 300/- every month for persons aged between 60 to 79 years. For people who are 80 years and above, the pension amount is Rs 500/-.

Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme

The IGNWPS is the second scheme under the National Social Assistance Program that was launched in 2009. Under this scheme, widows falling between the age of 40 to 59 who live below the poverty line are eligible for a monthly pension of Rs. 200/-. After they cross the age of 60 years, they qualify for the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme.

Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme

Under the IGNDPS, persons with 80 percent disability who are 18 years and older are eligible for a monthly pension of Rs 300/-. This pension will increase to Rs 500/- per month after they attain an age of 80 years.

National Family Benefit Scheme

The National Family Benefit Scheme, the fourth scheme that falls under the National Social Assistance Program, provides a death benefit of Rs 40,000/- to families where the sole breadwinner of the family has passed away. The criterion is that the breadwinner should have been between 18 to 64 years old.

Annapurna Scheme

The Annapurna Scheme has been devised to make sure that those in need have adequate supply of food. The people who are eligible for the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme but you have not signed up for it can avail the Annapurna Scheme. The scheme allows the government to provide 10 kg of food grain, either wheat or rice to the beneficiary every month.Thus, the National Social Assistance Program is a great social welfare scheme to help those in dire need of financial stability as well as food.

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