National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)

There are numerous government initiatives that are there to provide financial help to the low-income section of society. One such initiative is the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), offering financial aid to the vulnerable population in the country. Launched in 1995, this scheme aims to support elderly individuals, widows and disabled persons by offering them pensions and other financial assistance. The main goal of NSAP is to make sure people below the poverty line (BPL) get the necessary support to lead a dignified life. In this blog, we will learn about NSAP history, its key components, eligibility criteria to avail benefits, the application process, challenges and recent developments. Scroll down to learn more.

NSAP Full Form and Purpose

Before we get into details, let’s first understand what is NSAP!

As mentioned earlier in the introduction, NSAP stands for National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) and it is a government-backed pension scheme that provides financial aid to people who do not have a steady income. It looks after senior citizens who have no source of income and widows who need financial support. It also helps disabled individuals who are unable to work and families who have lost their primary earning members.

But what is the need for NSAP? Or why was it introduced?

Well, many people in India, especially in rural areas, struggle to earn money due to old age or disabilities. Hence, the Government of India introduced NSAP in 1995 to help these individuals by providing them with a small monthly pension or financial assistance.

The key objectives of NSAP include reducing poverty, providing a basic source of income to those who cannot work, offering food security to elderly individuals without pensions and helping widows and disabled people live independently.

Now that you understand why NSAP exists, let’s take a look at its history.

Historical Background of NSAP

The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) was introduced on August 15, 1995, by the Government of India under the Ministry of Rural Development to help the poor and needy by providing financial assistance in the form of pensions. Before NSAP, there were only state-level social security schemes in India. However, when the central government decided to create a national program, it ensured that elderly individuals, widows and disabled people received financial support on time. Over the years, NSAP has grown multifold and increased its reach. Today, it includes multiple pension schemes to help different sections of society.

Key Components of NSAP: Schemes and Beneficiaries

There are 5 major schemes NSAP consists of. These schemes provide pensions and financial support to different groups of people. The list includes:

1. Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS)

IGNOAPS provides a monthly pension to people aged 60 years or above who live below the poverty line (BPL). The pension amount elderly people receive under this scheme is ₹200 per month (between 60-79 years) and ₹500 per month for those above 80 years.

2. Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS)

This scheme supports widows aged 40 years or above who belong to the BPL category. The pension amount here is ₹300 per month per person. However, it has been increased to ₹500 for those above 80 years.

3. Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS)

Another major scheme is IGNDPS. It helps disabled persons aged 18 years or above with 40% or more disability. However, you need to be from the BPL category if you need to avail its benefits. Under the scheme, the pension amount is ₹300 per month, which has been increased to ₹500 for those above 80 years.

4. National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS)

National Family Benefit Scheme provides a one-time assistance of ₹20,000 to families where the main earning member (aged 18-60 years) has died. However, the family must belong to the BPL category.

5. Annapurna Scheme

Under this national social assistance scheme, the government offers 10 kg of free food grains per month to elderly individuals who haven’t been covered by the National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS).

Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Avail Benefits Under NSAP?

You cannot avail benefits under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) until you meet the following criteria:

• You must belong to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category.
• Be a resident of India.
• Must meet the age and disability requirements for different schemes, like the person must be 60 years & above for an old-age pension and 40 years & above for a widow pension.
• For family benefits, the deceased person should have been the primary earner, aged between 18-60 years.

How to Apply for National Pension Scheme Benefits?

There are two ways you can apply for the NSAP pension benefits: online and offline. Here’s the process for both:

Offline Application

Step 1: Visit your nearest Gram Panchayat, Block Office or District Social Welfare Office.

Step 2: Collect the application form for the scheme.

Step 3: Fill in the required details such as name, age, income, BPL card details, etc.

Step 4: Attach the necessary documents.

Step 5: Submit the form at the office.

Step 6: Post verification, the pension will be credited to your bank account.

Online Application

Step 1: Visit the official NSAP website: www.nsap.nic.in

Step 2: Select the pension scheme you wish to apply for.

Step 3: Fill out the online application form with personal and financial details.

Step 4: Upload the necessary documents and submit the form.

Step 5: Once approved, start receiving benefits in your bank account or post office account.

Challenges and Criticisms: Areas for Improvement in NSAP

Irrespective of how NSAP has grown over time and has helped millions of people, there is always some room for improvement. So, here’s what can be tackled:

• The financial assistance provided is very low and does not match the rising cost of living.
• Many people experience delays in receiving their pensions due to administrative issues.
• There is a lack of awareness and many eligible people do not know about NSAP benefits.
• Some states still follow a complicated paperwork system, making it hard for illiterate and elderly people to apply.
• The scheme does not cover all poor people.

Recent Developments: Updates and Changes in NSAP Policies

Here are some significant improvements to NSAP made by the government:

• Pensions are now directly transferred to bank accounts or post office accounts, thereby, reducing fraud.
• Linking Aadhaar with pension accounts helps in avoiding duplication and ensuring the right people get the benefits.
• The government has increased funding to improve coverage.
• More people are now eligible for free food grains under the Annapurna Scheme.

Conclusion

There is no doubt that the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) is a big help for elderly, widows and disabled poor people. Though it has helped millions, there are still many challenges that need to be addressed. The government should look at increasing pension amounts, improving awareness, and simplifying the application process.

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