Assistance Scheme for Handicraft Artisans 2026

The Assam Arogya Nidhi Scheme offers yearly financial aid, up to ₹3 Lakhs, for families in Assam Read More... with an annual income below ₹5 Lakhs to cover treatments for critical illnesses and accident-related medical emergencies. Read less

Details

The Assam Arogya Nidhi (AAN) Scheme, rolled out by the Health & Family Welfare Department of Assam, is designed to offer a financial safety net for families facing critical health crises.

What Is This Scheme?

Assam Arogya Nidhi is a government initiative aimed at providing crucial financial support to families in Assam. It helps cover the costs of treating life-threatening diseases and injuries stemming from natural or man-made disasters, including accidents like industrial mishaps, farm accidents, road or rail incidents, and bomb blasts.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

This scheme is primarily for families residing in Assam who are below the poverty line or have an annual income of less than ₹5.00 Lakhs. It specifically addresses the financial burden of treating serious conditions such as heart diseases, cancer, kidney problems, thalassemia, bone marrow transplants, AIDS, and severe mental illnesses requiring surgical intervention.

Why This Scheme Is Important

In times of severe illness or accidents, medical expenses can become overwhelming. Assam Arogya Nidhi ensures that eligible families do not have to compromise on essential medical treatment due to financial constraints. The scheme covers a wide range of critical ailments and emergencies, ensuring access to necessary healthcare across both government and empanelled private facilities.

Objective

The Assam Arogya Nidhi Scheme offers yearly financial aid, up to ₹3 Lakhs, for families in Assam with an annual income below ₹5 Lakhs to cover treatments for critical illnesses and accident-related medical emergencies.

Benefits

Provides assistance for the Fixed Capital Investment, i.e. construction of Work shed/Workshop, cost of tools, equipment, machinery and accessories, electrification, Technology support/product/Design development.
For General Category artisans, assistance is 40% of the Fixed Capital Investment limited to ₹2.00 lakh.
For Young (18 to 45 years), Women, and SC/ST artisans, the assistance is 50% limited to ₹3.00 lakh.

Note:The assistance under the ‘ASHA’ shall be released to the eligible artisan in one installment.

Sources and references

Official Website

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must be Indian citizens ordinarily residing in Assam.
The annual family income of the applicant must be less than ₹5.00 Lakhs.
There is no age limit to apply for the scheme.
Government employees, government pensioners, and their family members are not eligible.
Treatment must be sought in government hospitals (including Medical Colleges) or reputed private hospitals registered under the Clinical Establishment Act, anywhere in India.

How To Apply

Download the application form from the official website of National Health Assam.
Fill out the application form completely.
Submit the completed form to NHM, Assam, or the Joint Director of Health Services of your district.
The district office will forward the application to NHM, Assam for consideration.

Financial assistance is disbursed directly to the beneficiary or reimbursed to the hospital via bank transfer. Advance payments to hospitals are capped at ₹3.00 Lakh.

Documents Required

Patient's photograph (attested by a doctor)
Attested photocopy of Income Certificate issued by the Revenue Circle Officer.
Attested photocopy of Identity & Address Proof (Voter ID, Aadhaar Card, Driving License).
Original bills, vouchers, and receipts for medical expenses.
Copy of medical documents related to the treatment, certified by the treating doctor/hospital.
Discharge Summary/Prescription (attested).
Attested photocopy of the first page of the Bank Pass Book.
Attested Photocopy of Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogyua Yojana (PMJAY)/Atal Amrit Abhiyan (AAA) Card.

FAQ’s

What is the Assam Arogya Nidhi Scheme all about?

The Assam Arogya Nidhi Scheme is a yearly financial assistance program that reimburses families whose annual income is below ₹5.00 Lakhs for treatments of serious diseases and accident-related medical needs.

What's the maximum financial aid I can get from this scheme?

Under the Assam Arogya Nidhi Scheme, you can receive financial assistance up to a maximum of ₹3.00 Lakhs.

Which kinds of illnesses are covered by the scheme?

The scheme covers any critical illness that needs surgery, implants, or specialized procedures like Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT). It also includes other severe health conditions and serious accident cases.

Where can I get my treatment to be eligible for the financial aid?

Financial assistance is available for treatment at all Government hospitals, including Medical Colleges and Tertiary Health Care facilities. It's also valid at reputed private hospitals registered under the Clinical Establishment Act, and hospitals empanelled under the Government of Assam's Atal Amrit Abhiyan (AAA) and Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (PMJAY).

Who decides who gets the benefit under this scheme?

A specially notified Selection Committee, constituted by the Government of Assam, is responsible for selecting the beneficiaries.

Can I apply if I am a government employee or a pensioner?

No, government employees, government pensioners, and their family members are not eligible to apply for this scheme.

Is this scheme funded entirely by the Assam state government?

No, it's not solely state-funded. The Government of India contributes 50% of the funds that the State Government sanctions for the scheme.

Who is eligible to apply for this scheme?

You are eligible if your family's annual income is below ₹5.00 Lakhs.

Am I eligible if I am not originally from Assam, but live here?

Yes, the scheme is open to all Indian citizens who are ordinarily residents of the State of Assam.

Is there any age restriction to apply for the Assam Arogya Nidhi Scheme?

No, there is no age limit for individuals wishing to apply for benefits under this scheme.

How do I get the application form for this scheme?

You can obtain the application form by visiting the official website of National Health Assam and downloading it from there.

What's the process to apply for the scheme?

You need to fill out the application form completely and submit it to NHM, Assam, or to the Joint Director of Health Services in your district. They will then forward it to NHM, Assam for further processing.

How will the financial help be given to me if I am selected?

Financial assistance is typically provided to eligible beneficiaries through Direct Bank Transfer. In some cases, especially for advance payments to hospitals, the amount is capped at ₹3.00 Lakhs.