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Social welfare & Empowerment

RMEWF-Financial Assistance For Ex-Servicemen In Penury

A scheme to provide financial assistance to non-pensioner Ex-Servicemen up to rank of Havildar /equivalent and their widows who are living in extreme poverty.

Authority

Central

Region

Central Government

Status

Verified 2026

Updated

March 2026

What you get

A financial assistance of Rs.4000/- per month is paid Annually to the eligible Ex-Servicemen or their widows . | Note | The financial assistance is non-transferable and will cease automatically upon death of the ESM or widow. After expiry of ESM, his widow will have to apply afresh for financial assistance under penury.

Who can apply

Must be a non-pensioner ESM or his widow.; Should be of rank Havildar/equivalent from the Navy/AF and below.; The ESM/widow should be 65 years of age on 01 Apr of the Financial Year in which applying.; After 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 Widow to have attained the age of 65 years in not applicable .

Required Paperwork

  • Aadhaar Card
  • PAN Card
  • Income Certificate
  • Residence Proof (Domicile)

Common Questions

Who is eligible for the Penury Grant under this scheme?

Only non-pensioner Ex-Servicemen (ESM) up to the rank of Havildar/equivalent and their widows who are living in extreme poverty are eligible. The ESM/widow should be 65 years or older as of 01 April of the financial year in which they are applying. (In case of widows of deceased beneficiaries, the age criterion does not apply.)

What is the amount of financial assistance provided under the scheme?

The scheme provides ₹4,000 per month, paid annually (i.e., ₹48,000 per year) to the eligible Ex-Servicemen or their widows.

Is the assistance under this scheme transferable to other family members after the death of the ESM or widow?

No. The assistance is non-transferable. After the death of an ESM, the widow must apply afresh to receive the benefit.

What are the exclusion criteria for this scheme?

Any Ex-Serviceman receiving a pension is not eligible for this scheme. The scheme is strictly meant for non-pensioners.

What documents are required to apply for the scheme?

The applicant must upload: | - Complete Service Document/Discharge Book (all pages) | - Identity Card issued by ZSWO- Age proof (if not in service document) | - Aadhaar Card | - Bank Passbook (first page) and Cancelled Cheque | - Certificate of Penury (in prescribed format) | Specimen Format here

What is the verification process after application submission?

The Zila Sainik Welfare Office (ZSWO) will: | - Verify all uploaded documents | - Certify that the applicant has no income or pension- Ensure that no financial aid has been taken from other government sources | - Recommend the case to the Kendriya Sainik Board

What is the timeline for processing and payment of the assistance?

Once approved by the Secretary of KSB, the payment is processed by the Accounts Section and directly transferred to the beneficiary’s bank account via ECS. Applications are typically processed quarterly.

How can applicants track their application status?

Visit: https://ksb.gov.in/index.htm | Click on “Status of application”, then enter your DAK ID and verification code.

What is the process for receiving the grant in subsequent years?

Beneficiaries must submit a Life Certificate online, countersigned by the ZSWO, between 01 December and 31 March every year. | - Digital Life Certificates or certificates signed by any other authority are not accepted.- Failure to submit on time will result in non-payment for that year.