The National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) is a welfare initiative implemented under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) to provide immediate financial support to eligible Below Poverty Line (BPL) households after the death of their primary breadwinner. Instead of offering recurring monthly assistance, the scheme provides a one-time Central financial assistance of ₹20,000 to help families manage the financial difficulties that arise after losing their main earning member.
National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) Highlights | |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) |
| Implemented By | Department of Rural Development, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India |
| Introduced In | 1995 |
| Parent Programme | National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) |
| Eligible Household | Below Poverty Line (BPL) household after the death of a primary breadwinner aged 18 years or above and below 60 years |
| Central Financial Assistance | ₹20,000 (One-Time Assistance) |
| Death Covered | Natural as well as accidental death, subject to fulfilment of the prescribed conditions |
| Application Mode | Online through the UMANG Portal (where available) or through the offline process prescribed by the concerned State Government/UT |
| Payment Mode | Bank Account or Post Office Savings Account |
| Official Website | nsap.dord.gov.in |
Introduction of National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS): A Brief Insight
The sudden death of a family’s primary breadwinner often creates an immediate financial crisis, especially for households that depend on a single source of income. To provide timely financial support in such situations, the Government of India introduced the National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP). The scheme has been in operation since 1995 and is implemented by the Department of Rural Development, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India.
Unlike social assistance programmes that provide recurring monthly pensions, the National Family Benefit Scheme extends one-time Central financial assistance of ₹20,000 to an eligible Below Poverty Line (BPL) household after the death of its primary breadwinner. Under the scheme, the primary breadwinner refers to the family member whose earnings contributed substantially to the total household income before death.
To receive this benefit, the deceased primary breadwinner should have been 18 years of age or above and below 60 years at the time of death, and the household must satisfy the prescribed eligibility conditions under the scheme. Eligible claims are considered irrespective of whether the death occurred due to natural causes or an accident.
Depending on the facilities made available by the concerned State Government or Union Territory, eligible applicants may submit their claim online through the UMANG Portal or through the UMANG App (Android) or the UMANG App (iOS) mobile app. Applicants can also monitor the progress of their claim through the official NSAP Application Status portal.
NFBS is one of the welfare components implemented under NSAP. The programme also includes the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS), the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS), and the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS), each designed to support different categories of eligible beneficiaries through monthly financial assistance.
If you are looking for more verified welfare programmes launched by the Government of India, you can also explore our collection of List of Welfare Schemes of Central Government, where we regularly publish fact-checked guides based on official government sources.
Benefits Provided to Eligible Beneficiaries
The National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) offers immediate financial relief to Below Poverty Line (BPL) households that lose their primary breadwinner. Instead of providing monthly assistance, the scheme extends a one-time financial benefit to help the family cope with the sudden economic hardship caused by the loss of its main earning member.
- An eligible household receives a one-time Central financial assistance of ₹20,000 after the death of its primary breadwinner.
- The amount remains the same irrespective of whether the death occurred due to natural causes or an accident, provided all eligibility conditions are fulfilled.
- The financial assistance is intended to support the family’s immediate needs during a difficult period and should not be treated as a recurring pension or regular source of income.
- After approval of the claim, the sanctioned amount is transferred to the applicant’s bank account or Post Office savings account as per the applicable implementation process.
Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled
The National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) is meant to support Below Poverty Line (BPL) households that have lost their primary breadwinner. Before submitting a claim, applicants should ensure that the conditions prescribed under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) are satisfied.
- The deceased should have been the primary breadwinner of the household, meaning the family member whose earnings contributed substantially to the total household income.
- The deceased should have been 18 years of age or above and below 60 years at the time of death.
- The household should belong to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category in accordance with the applicable guidelines.
- The benefit is available irrespective of whether the death occurred due to natural causes or an accident.
- The applicant should satisfy any additional eligibility conditions prescribed by the concerned State Government or Union Territory for processing the claim.
Documents Required to be Attached
Since the National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) provides one-time financial assistance after the death of a family’s primary breadwinner, the verification process mainly focuses on confirming the death, the family’s eligibility, and the claimant’s relationship with the deceased. Applicants should keep all the necessary documents ready before submitting the application, as the concerned authority may verify them before sanctioning the benefit.
- Death certificate of the deceased primary breadwinner issued by the competent authority.
- Below Poverty Line (BPL) card or any other document accepted for establishing the household’s BPL status.
- Identity proof of the applicant, such as an Aadhaar Card, Voter ID Card, or any other government-recognised identity document.
- Document establishing the applicant’s relationship with the deceased, wherever required.
- Bank account or Post Office savings account passbook for receiving the one-time financial assistance.
- Recent passport-size photographs of the applicant, if required during the application process.
- Any additional document prescribed by the concerned State Government or Union Territory for processing the claim.
How Beneficiaries Can Apply to Avail the Benefit of this Scheme
Eligible families can submit a claim under the National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) either through the UMANG Portal, the UMANG mobile application, or by visiting the authority designated by the concerned State Government or Union Territory. Before applying, applicants should keep the required documents ready so that the verification process can be completed without unnecessary delays.
Applying Through the UMANG Portal
Step 1: Visit the official NFBS page on the UMANG Portal and sign in using your existing UMANG account. New users should complete the registration process first.
Step 2: Open the National Family Benefit Scheme service and carefully enter the applicant’s personal details along with the information relating to the deceased primary breadwinner.
Step 3: Upload the required supporting documents, such as the death certificate, identity proof, BPL-related document, bank or Post Office account details, and any other document requested during the application process.
Step 4: Review all the information entered in the application form to ensure that every detail is correct before submitting the claim.
Step 5: After successful submission, save the acknowledgement or reference number safely, as it may be required to check the status of the application later.
Applying Through the UMANG Mobile App
Step 1: Install the UMANG App for Android or the UMANG App for iPhone (iOS) and log in using your registered mobile number.
Step 2: Search for the National Family Benefit Scheme available under the National Social Assistance Programme and open the online application.
Step 3: Fill in the required information, upload clear copies of the necessary documents, and verify that all the details entered are accurate.
Step 4: Submit the completed application through the app after reviewing the information carefully.
Step 5: Keep the acknowledgement details for future reference until the application is processed by the concerned authority.
Applying Through the Offline Mode
Step 1: Visit the office or local authority designated by your State Government or Union Territory for accepting applications under the National Family Benefit Scheme.
Step 2: Obtain the prescribed application form, complete it carefully, and attach all the required supporting documents.
Step 3: Submit the completed application to the concerned office and collect the acknowledgement or receipt, wherever issued.
Step 4: The competent authority verifies the eligibility of the household and examines the documents submitted with the application before taking a decision on the claim.
Step 5: Once the claim is approved, the sanctioned one-time financial assistance is released to the applicant’s eligible bank account or Post Office savings account in accordance with the applicable procedure.
Applicants who wish to know the progress of their claim can use the official NSAP Application Status portal by entering the required details to check the latest status of their application.
Important Links Available
The following official resources can help applicants learn more about the National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS), submit an application where available, and track the progress of their claim.
- National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) Official Portal
- National Family Benefit Scheme on the UMANG Portal
- UMANG App for Android and UMANG App for iPhone (iOS)
- NSAP Application Status
Contact Details in Case of Help Needed
If you need assistance regarding the National Family Benefit Scheme or wish to seek clarification about the scheme, you may contact the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) Division using the details below.
- Department: National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) Division, Department of Rural Development, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India
- Office Address: Kartavya Bhavan-3, New Delhi – 110114
- Email: mis-nsap@nic.in
Applicants may also approach the authority designated by their respective State Government or Union Territory for assistance with the application process or document verification, wherever required.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What is the National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS)?
Ans. The National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) is a welfare scheme under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP). It provides financial assistance to eligible Below Poverty Line (BPL) households after the death of their primary breadwinner.
Q. How much financial assistance is available under NFBS?
Ans. Eligible households receive a one-time Central financial assistance of ₹20,000 after fulfilling the conditions prescribed under the scheme.
Q. Who is treated as the primary breadwinner?
Ans. Under the scheme, the primary breadwinner is the household member whose earnings contributed substantially to the total household income before death.
Q. What is the age requirement for the deceased primary breadwinner?
Ans. At the time of death, the primary breadwinner should have been 18 years of age or above and below 60 years.
Q. Is the benefit available if the death occurred in an accident?
Ans. Yes. The scheme covers eligible cases involving both natural deaths and accidental deaths, subject to fulfilment of the prescribed eligibility conditions.
Q. Which documents are generally required while applying?
Ans. Applicants are generally required to submit the death certificate, BPL-related document, identity proof, relationship proof, bank or Post Office account details, and any other document prescribed by the concerned authority.
Q. Can the application be submitted online?
Ans. Online application facilities may be available through the UMANG Portal, wherever the service has been enabled. Applicants may also apply through the offline process prescribed by their State Government or Union Territory.
Q. How can I check the status of my application?
Ans. Applicants can track their application through the official NSAP Application Status portal using the required application details.
Q. Is there any application fee for NFBS?
Ans. No. The Central Government does not charge any application fee for submitting a claim under the National Family Benefit Scheme.
Q. How is NFBS different from the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS)?
Ans. NFBS provides financial assistance after the death of an eligible family’s primary breadwinner, whereas IGNOAPS offers monthly pension support to eligible senior citizens.
Q. How is NFBS different from the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS)?
Ans. NFBS supports an eligible household after the loss of its primary breadwinner, while IGNWPS provides monthly pension assistance to eligible widows who satisfy the prescribed conditions.
Q. How is NFBS different from the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS)?
Ans. NFBS provides financial assistance following the death of the family’s primary breadwinner, whereas IGNDPS offers monthly pension support to eligible persons with severe disabilities.
Tabassum is a government schemes researcher and writer with 5 years of experience tracking Central and State welfare scheme programmes across India. She has covered 500+ schemes spanning agriculture, women welfare, education, and housing, helping lakhs of beneficiaries understand their entitlements in simple language.