Old Age Pension: The Uttar Pradesh government is rolling out significant changes to the pension process for seniors. In a recent cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, a proposal was approved to digitally overhaul the old-age pension system. The government claims that this new system will make it easier to identify eligible beneficiaries and ensure pensions are paid directly to them.
No separate application for pension now
With the new digital approach, senior citizens won’t have to fill out separate applications for their pensions anymore. Beneficiaries will be identified using their family IDs. The government will reach out to those receiving pensions for their consent. Once they give their approval, the pension will be granted, as stated by Social Welfare Minister (Independent Charge) Asim Arun to the media.
What is Family ID?
The state government introduced the Family ID scheme as part of the “One Family, One Identity” initiative back in July 2022. This initiative aims to establish a reliable database of families throughout the state, allowing everyone to access government benefits without any complications.
Family ID is a unique 12-digit number.
It connects the family’s ration card with other government databases.
This simplifies the process of identifying eligible families and their individual beneficiaries.
The family includes the earning member, their spouse, children, parents, siblings, and dependents.
This is how the elderly will be identified
Using the family ID system, the government will monitor individuals approaching the age of 60. Those nearing 60 will be contacted for consent via SMS, WhatsApp, or phone call. If there’s no response through these channels, local officials and assistants will visit their homes to obtain consent. Once consent is received, either digitally or in person, the pension approval process will be finalized within 15 days. After approval, the funds will be transferred directly to the Aadhaar-linked bank account.
What does the old age pension in Uttar Pradesh offer?
The Old Age Pension is a government initiative aimed at helping economically disadvantaged seniors. Through this program, the state government deposits a monthly pension of Rs 1,000 directly into the bank accounts of eligible senior citizens. Both men and women can take advantage of this scheme.
Who qualifies for the old age pension?
To be eligible for the pension, the applicant must be between 60 and 150 years old. They should also be below the poverty line, with an annual income that does not exceed the specified limit. This limit is set at a maximum of Rs 46,080 for rural areas and Rs 56,460 for urban areas.
Currently, beneficiaries can apply online by filling out a form. They need to provide documents that verify their age, income, and identity. Once submitted, their pension application will be reviewed and approved.
Why will the new system be more convenient for the elderly?
The new digital system will automatically recognize eligible seniors, which means they won’t have to fill out forms, submit documents, or go to offices. This change will significantly simplify and speed up the pension process, especially for senior citizens who often find the application process challenging.