Old-Age Pension Scheme In Uttar Pradesh: Government Automates Enrollment, No Application Required From Seniors

The Uttar Pradesh government is set to change the welfare pension-related process for old-age pension beneficiaries in the state. This week, the state cabinet approved a proposal related to reforming the old-age pension system by encompassing digital measures, in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The reform, as the government says, will be a new arrangement to identify eligible beneficiaries and disburse pensions directly to such people.

Under the new digital arrangement, applicants will not need to separately apply for the old-age pension. Instead, they will be identified through their family ID. Eligible beneficiaries will be asked for their consent to receive the pension, and once they give consent, the pension will be sanctioned, reported PTI, citing Asim Arun, Social Welfare Minister (Independent Charge) in the state.

What Is Family ID?

Notably, the state government has launched the Family ID initiative in July 2022 under the 'Ek Parivar, Ek Pahchan' system, to create a high-confidence database storing details of all families in the state and to ensure that they receive the welfare benefits efficiently. The Family ID is a unique 12-digit identification number given to each family. The number integrates the family’s ration card database with various government department databases. The integration makes the identification of eligible families and their individual beneficiaries easier. A family under this initiative includes the primary earner, spouse, children, parents, siblings, and other dependents.

Reportedly, Arun said that using this system, the government will digitally track individuals who are close to the age of 60 years. Upon identifying such ageing people, it will start the consent process by sending SMS, WhatsApp, or phone calls. However, if consent is not received through these measures, local officials and assistants will make contact in person with the beneficiaries.

After receiving their consent, whether through digital modes or in person, the approval processes will be completed within 15 days, and then the pension will be transferred directly to beneficiaries’ Aadhaar-linked bank accounts.

What Does The Old Age Pension Scheme In Uttar Pradesh Offer?

Old-age pension is a welfare pension that the government offers to senior citizens from the economically weaker section of society. It offers a monthly pension of Rs 1,000 to the beneficiaries in their bank account directly.  

Who Is Eligible For Old-Age Pension?

• An applicant should be aged between 60 and 150 years.

• Such an applicant should be below the poverty line or his/her annual income should not be more than the specified limit, that is, Rs 46,080 for rural area applicants and Rs 56,460 for urban area applicants.

Under the existing system, the applicants are required to apply for this pension online, fill out the form, submit the required documents to ascertain their age, income, and identity, and submit the form.

Compared to this, the automatic identification of eligible people will make the process much easier for the elderly.