RMEWF-Financial Assistance For Ex-Servicemen In Penury

The scheme "Financial Assistance for Ex-Servicemen in Penury" has been implemented by the Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB), Government of India. It is aims to provide a measure of relief to destitute non-pensioner Ex-Servicemen (ESM) up to the rank of Havildar/equivalent and their widows. Through this scheme, financial assistance in the form of a monthly grant is provided to eligible beneficiaries. The scheme is implemented by the Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB) through Zila Sainik Welfare Offices (ZSWO).

1. Financial Assistance

• ₹4,000/- per month per beneficiary.
• Paid annually.
• Provided for a lifetime.

1. Historical Benefit Structure (For Context)

• ₹100/- per month for 2 years (introduced in 1981).
• ₹500/- per month for 2 years (revised in 2007).
• One-time grant of ₹30,000/- at age 70/75 years (2007 revision).
• ₹1,000/- per month for lifetime (October 2011 revision).

1. Conditions Associated with Benefits

• Applicable only to non-pensioner ESM up to the rank of Havildar/equivalent.
• Continued for the widow after the death of the ESM (subject to a fresh application in some cases).
• Non-transferable.
• Ceases upon the death of the beneficiary (ESM or widow).

1. Must be a non-pensioner ESM or his widow.
2. Should be of rank Havildar/equivalent from the Navy/AF and below.
3. The ESM/widow should be 65 years of age on 01 Apr of the Financial Year in which applying.
4. After the demise of ESM who was already availing the Penury Grant, his widow is eligible for Penury grant irrespective of her age at the time of the death of ESM. Therefore, in such cases, the condition of a widow attaining the age of 65 years is not applicable.

Ex-Servicemen receiving Pension are not covered under this scheme.

Online

Fresh Application:

• Eligible Ex-Servicemen/widows can apply online between 01 Apr to 01 Mar (every year) Link - https://ksb.gov.in/ex-servicemen-penury.htm- Scanned Copies of the supporting documents must be uploaded with the online application.
• Once the online application is submitted successfully, the individual will be given a system-generated application number, which he/she should note down for future reference.
• Thereafter, all the uploaded documents and certificates shall be verified by ZSWO. During verification, ZSWO shall certify that the Penury certificate uploaded by the applicant

1. Does not have income/ pension from any other source.
2. He has not been provided any financial assistance from the State Govt or any other source.
3. Confirm that the information furnished by the applicant online is correct as per the original documents uploaded with the application.

• Once this verification process is over, the submitted online application is recommended by ZWSO.

Processing at KSB Secretariat:

• Once the application reaches the Kendriya Sainik Board, the Section-in-charge verify the same and uploads the printed list for the approval of JD (Welfare).
• Such applications for approval are then moved for the sanction of the competent authority in one lot, preferably every quarter.

Payment Procedure:

• After approval of Secretary KSB, the application is processed for payment by the Welfare Section.
• The welfare section verifies the Ex-servicemen's service number, name, banker's IFS Code and bank account number & forwards the list of approved cases to the Accounts Section for payment.
• The Accounts Section then processes the list for payment directly to beneficiaries via ECS, to the beneficiaries as applicable.

Track Application Status:

• The applicant has to revisit the same portal https://ksb.gov.in/index.htm- Click on the “Status of application” link on the homepage of the portal.
• Now enter your DAK ID and verification code. Click on the “Search” button.

For Subsequent Grant:

• For subsequent years, after the initial penury grant has been awarded, the beneficiary must submit a life certificate online, duly countersigned by the respective ZSWO between 01 Dec and 31 Mar of the current financial year.
• A life certificate signed by any other person/ authority other than the concerned ZSWO and Digital Life Certificate will not be accepted.
• Submission of Life Certificate will be accepted online on the KSB website only and not by any other means.
• Online application for renewal of the Penury grant will not be accepted by the website after 01 Mar of the financial year. The beneficiary will not be paid the grant for the year for which he/ she fails to upload the life certificate within the period specified above.