Details

The Re-employment of Ex-Servicemen Welfare Fund (RMEWF) provides crucial financial support to families of ex-servicemen. Specifically, this scheme aims to assist parents or guardians of children who are completely disabled.

What Is This Scheme?

The RMEWF offers monthly financial assistance to ex-servicemen or their widows to help with the care and needs of their child who has a 100% disability. This support is designed to ease the financial burden on families who are dedicated to caring for their specially-abled children.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

This scheme is for ex-servicemen or their widows. The ex-servicemen should hold ranks up to Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) or equivalent in the Navy or Air Force, and below. Crucially, the child must have a 100% disability and the family must not be receiving similar disability benefits from any other government source.

Why This Scheme Is Important

Caring for a child with a 100% disability requires significant resources. This scheme directly addresses that need by providing a monthly financial supplement. It ensures that the dedicated service of our ex-servicemen contributes to the well-being of their most vulnerable family members, offering a degree of financial security and support.

Objective

This scheme offers financial aid for the 100% disabled child of Ex-Servicemen or their widows.

Benefits

Basic Savings Bank Deposit Account (BSBDA)

Any Indian citizen eligible to open a regular bank account can open a BSBDA. Such an account does not require any minimum balance maintenance. The account holders can use both bank branches, ATMs and Banking Correspondents (BCs) for depositing and withdrawing cash. However, one cannot withdraw cash more than four times a month.

Small Account/Chota Khata

Under Jan Dhan Yojana, people can open small bank accounts without presenting legal documents. These accounts would be valid normally for a period of twelve months. Thereafter, such accounts would be allowed to a continue for a further period of twelve more months, if the account-holder provides a document showing that he/she has applied for any of the Officially Valid Document, within 12 months of opening the small account.

RuPay Debit Card with inbuilt accident insurance

Under PMJDY, a free Rupay debit card, with inbuilt accident insurance cover of Rs.2 lakhs (Rs 1 lakh for accounts opened before 28.08.2018), is issued to all beneficiaries.

Overdraft Facility

Under PMJDY, beneficiaries can avail OD facility upto Rs. 10,000/-.

Business Correspondents (BCs)/Bank Mitras

BCs/Bank Mitras are retail agents engaged by banks for providing banking services at locations other than a bank branch/ATM. It is mainly meant for the rural areas, where bank branches are far-flung. BCs/Bank Mitras connect with the residents and guide them with banking solutions such as savings accounts, deposits, payments and withdrawals, mini account statements, etc. Banks with their strong network of BCs/Bank Mitras are providing hassle free services to the customers in remote / rural areas.

Sources and references

Guidelines

Eligibility Criteria

The child must be the legal offspring of an Ex-Serviceman (ESM) or a widow.
The Ex-Serviceman must have served in a rank up to Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) or its equivalent in the Navy/Air Force, or below.
The child must be certified as 100% disabled.
The applicant family should not be receiving any disability benefits for the child from any other official government agency.
The application must be recommended by the respective Zila Sainik Board (ZSB).

How To Apply

To apply for this financial assistance, you need to submit your application along with the required documents. Ensure all copies are attested by the Zila Sainik Welfare Officer (ZSWO). The application process generally involves:

Gathering all the necessary documents as listed below.
Getting the copies of these documents attested by the Zila Sainik Welfare Officer (ZSWO).
Submitting the complete application package to the Zila Sainik Welfare Officer (ZSWO).

For any specific application submission details or forms, please consult your local Zila Sainik Board (ZSB) or their official website.

Documents Required

Make sure to attach attested copies of the following documents with your application:

A photocopy of the Discharge Book. This must clearly show an entry mentioning the child.
The Ex-Servicemen and Dependent Identity Card issued by the Zila Sainik Board (ZSB).
A 100% disability certificate issued by a Military Hospital or a Government Hospital.
Details of the Bank Account Number (only for accounts in Punjab National Bank (PNB) or State Bank of India (SBI)) and the IFSC Code.

FAQ’s

How long is the assistance valid?

The financial support under this scheme is available for the entire life of the child. However, to continue receiving the grant each financial year, you must submit a 'life certificate' and an updated 'Disability Certificate' in the government's prescribed format. This submission needs to be done through your Zila Sainik Board (ZSB) by January 15th.

When will I receive the financial aid?

The financial assistance provided under this scheme is given out once a year.

Can I get this benefit if I'm already receiving another disability allowance?

No, this scheme is specifically for those who are not currently receiving any disability benefit for their child from any other official government agency. You must not be in receipt of such benefits elsewhere to be eligible.

What if the ex-serviceman was an officer in the Navy or Air Force?

This scheme is for ex-servicemen whose rank was Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) or equivalent in the Navy/Air Force, and below. Higher-ranking officers' families may not be eligible under this specific provision.

What kind of disability certificate do I need?

You need a certificate confirming a 100% disability for your child. This certificate must be officially issued by a Military Hospital or a recognized Government Hospital.

Which bank accounts are accepted for the financial aid?

The financial assistance will be credited to your bank account only if it is held with either Punjab National Bank (PNB) or the State Bank of India (SBI). You will need to provide your account number and IFSC code for these banks.

Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana 2026