Details

The Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFDF) has launched a vital scheme to support our nation's heroes and their families during medical emergencies. This initiative is designed to ease the financial burden on non-pensioner ex-servicemen and widows who are facing treatment for serious illnesses.

What Is This Scheme?

This is a financial assistance program aimed at helping non-pensioner ex-servicemen of all ranks and their widows cover medical expenses for severe diseases. It covers a range of critical ailments and procedures, ensuring that financial constraints don't stand in the way of necessary medical care.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

The primary beneficiaries of this scheme are ex-servicemen who do not receive a pension, and their widows. The aim is to provide a safety net for those who have served the country and might require significant financial backing for advanced medical treatments.

Why This Scheme Is Important

Access to timely and quality medical treatment for serious diseases can be incredibly expensive. This scheme addresses that challenge by providing crucial financial aid, allowing ex-servicemen and their widows to seek treatment at approved government facilities without undue financial stress. It's a way to honour their service by ensuring their well-being.

Objective

This scheme offers financial support to non-pensioner ex-servicemen and their widows for treating serious medical conditions.

Benefits

Educational Stipends₹2,250 per studentIncentive Award (in addition to ₹2,250/- Educational Stipend)For Boys: ₹1,000; For Girls: ₹1,500Financial AssistanceTraditional Courses (Arts, Science, Commerce, etc.)(a) Graduation: ₹3,750 per student(b) Post-Graduation: ₹7,500 per studentProfessional Courses(a) Medical Sciences: ₹7,500 per student(b) Agriculture and allied Sciences / Animal Husbandry / Engineering / Pharmacy / Nursing / Other Equivalent Professional Degree Courses: ₹7,500 per student

Sources and references

Guidelines

Eligibility Criteria

The applicant must be a non-pensioner Ex-Serviceman (ESM) or the widow of a non-pensioner ESM.
The applicant should not be a member of the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) or currently availing Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) facilities.
The application must be recommended by the respective Zila Sainik Board (ZSB).
Treatment expenses must be incurred at an approved government hospital, adhering to CGHS / ECHS rates.

How To Apply

To apply for financial assistance under this scheme, follow these steps:

Gather all the required documents as listed below.
Ensure all copies are duly attested by the Zila Sainik Welfare Officer (ZSWO).
Submit your application along with the attested documents to the concerned authorities.
The expenditure must be incurred at an approved government hospital at rates applicable under CGHS/ECHS.

Important Note: Application details and submission are managed through designated channels, often involving the Zila Sainik Boards.

Documents Required

Please ensure you have the following documents, duly attested by the Zila Sainik Welfare Officer (ZSWO), to accompany your application:

Complete Service Discharge Book or equivalent service documents.
A photocopy of your Ex-Serviceman (ESM) or widow Identity Card.
Original medical bills, countersigned by the attending doctor.
Hospital admission and discharge reports, countersigned by the hospital authority.
A sworn affidavit confirming that you have not received any financial aid or reimbursement for the medical expenses from any State Government or your current employer in the form of reimbursement or medical allowance.
Your Bank Account details, including the Account Number and IFSC Code. The account must be in either Punjab National Bank (PNB) or State Bank of India (SBI) only.

FAQ’s

Which hospitals are approved for treatment under this scheme?

Financial assistance is only provided for expenses incurred at approved government hospitals. The treatment costs must be within the rates set by CGHS (Central Government Health Scheme) or ECHS (Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme).

Can I use any bank account for receiving the funds?

No, the scheme requires that the bank account details provided must be for either the State Bank of India (SBI) or the Punjab National Bank (PNB) only.

What is the maximum financial help I can get for cancer treatment?

For the treatment of cancer, financial assistance is provided up to a maximum of ₹75,000 per annum.

Does this scheme cover ex-servicemen who are already receiving a pension?

No, this scheme is specifically for ex-servicemen who are 'non-pensioner'. Pensioner ex-servicemen are not eligible.

What if my serious illness isn't on the list? Can I still get help?

If the treatment is for a serious disease not listed in the scheme, your application will be sent to the Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS) for their comment and recommendation. They will decide if financial assistance can be provided for that specific disease.

Is there a limit to the financial assistance for other serious diseases?

Yes, for approved serious diseases (other than cancer/dialysis), the financial assistance is limited to a maximum of ₹1,25,000/- on a one-time basis.

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