Big hike in family pension: Who is eligible
Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Sunday said that disabled children of deceased government employees and pensioners will get a “major hike” in family pension. He said that this historic decision has been taken keeping in mind the special emphasis of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the dignity and care of such children.
He said that the decision seeks better economic conditions and better economic conditions for the handicapped or handicapped who require more medical care and financial assistance.
eligibility
Minister of State for Personnel Singh said that directions have been issued to liberalize the income criteria for eligibility of a deceased Government servant and child or sibling of the pensioner for grant of family pension under the CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972.
Singh said that the government is of the view that the income criteria for eligibility of family pension, as applicable in the case of other family members, may not be applicable in the case of a disabled child or sibling.
Accordingly, Singh said, the Government has reviewed the income criteria for eligibility of family pension in respect of disabled child or sibling and has decided that it will be commensurate with the amount of family pension entitled in their case.
The Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare, the minister said, has issued directions that a deceased government employee and a child or brother of the pensioner, who is suffering from mental or physical disability, will be eligible for family pension for life.
Provided that his total income, other than family pension, is less than the family pension entitled at the normal rate, i.e. 30 per cent of the last salary drawn by the deceased Government servant or pensioner and dearness relief admissible thereon, he said.
As per Rule 54(6) of the CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972, the child or sibling of a deceased Government servant or pensioner suffering from mental or physical disability is eligible for family pension for life, if he is suffering or not on a Sunday. A disability that makes him unable to earn a livelihood, according to a statement issued by the Personnel Ministry.
At present, any member of the family, including children or siblings who are disabled, is considered to be earning his livelihood if his income from sources other than family pension is equal to or more than the minimum family pension i.e. Rs 9,000. higher and dearness relief admissible thereon, it said.
In the case of a child or sibling suffering from mental or physical disability, who is not currently receiving family pension due to non-fulfillment of the earlier income criteria, he will be given family pension, if he fulfills the statement The new income norms and other conditions for grant of family pension at the time of death of Government servant or pensioner or previous family pensioner have also been fulfilled, it said.
“In such cases, the financial benefits, however, will likely accrue and there will be no arrears for the period from the date of death of the Government servant/pensioner/previous family pensioner,” it said.
(with PTI inputs)
.