Scheme Of Assistance To Disabled Persons For Purchase/Fitting Of Aids/Appliances 2026

Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana is a government-backed accident insurance scheme offering financial support in case of Read More... accidental death or disability. Read less

Details

Life can be unpredictable, and accidents can happen to anyone. To ensure financial security for families in such unfortunate events, the Indian government launched the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY).

This scheme acts as a safety net, providing a crucial layer of protection against financial distress caused by accidents.

What Is Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana?

PMSBY is a simple accident insurance plan designed to cover death and disability resulting from accidents. It's an affordable way for individuals to secure themselves and their loved ones against unexpected events.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

The scheme is open to all individuals who hold a bank or post office account in India. It's particularly useful for those who may not have access to other forms of insurance or are looking for an economical add-on cover.

Why This Scheme Is Important

Accidents can lead to immediate financial burdens for families. PMSBY aims to alleviate this by providing a sum of money to the nominee or the insured in case of accidental death or disability. This support can help families manage immediate expenses and maintain stability during difficult times.

Objective

Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana is a government-backed accident insurance scheme offering financial support in case of accidental death or disability.

Benefits

QUANTUM OF ASSISTANCE(i) For aids /appliances costing up to Rs. 15,000: Full financial assistance under the scheme.(ii) For aids /appliances costing between Rs. 15,001/- to Rs. 30000/-: Financial assistance up to Rs 15000/-(iii) Further, all expensive items costing above Rs. 30,001/, except Cochlear Implant and Motorized Tricycle, eligible for assistance under the scheme, subject to income ceiling, would be listed out. The government of India shall bear 50% of the cost of these items thus listed by the Committee and the remainder shall be contributed by either the State Govt. or the NGO or any other agency or by the beneficiary concerned subject to prior approval of the Ministry on case to case basis; limited to 20% of the Budget under the Scheme.Note:For providing modern assistive devices to all categories of PWDs, the items will be decided by Expert Committees constituted in the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.(iv) Cochlear Implant and post-operative therapy and rehabilitation for children with Hearing Impairment with a ceiling of Rs. 7.00 lakh per unit (to be borne by the Government) in case of children with pre-lingual hearing loss between 1 to 5 years of age and Rs.6.00 Lakh in case of children with acquired hearing loss between 5 to 18 years. The financial support will cover the cost of the implant, surgery, therapy, mapping, travel, and pre-implant assessment in both cases.Ali Yavar Jung National Institute of Speech & Hearing Disabilities (Divyangjan), (AYJNISHD) Mumbai, will be the nodal agency for Cochlear Implant Surgery. Surgery will be done at the hospitals empaneled by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. The Cochlear Implant devices will be procured by Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO), as per the specification recommended by the core committee.Note:Beneficiaries will be linked with Aadhar numbers. The amount of assistance will be as follows:-a) Total Income: Upto Rs. 22,500/- per month; Amount of Assistance: Full cost of aid/applianceb) Total Income: Rs.22,501/- to Rs. 30,000/- per month; Amount of Assistance: 50% of the cost of aid/applianceTraveling Costs -Traveling Costs in terms of rail fare or bus fare would be admissible separately to the PwD and one escort fare, subject to a limit of Rs. 250/- per person, irrespective of the number of visits to the center and for attending the distribution camp for aids & assistive devices. The beneficiary should attend the Rehabilitation Centre nearest to his/her place of residence except in the North-Eastern Region where he may be allowed travel costs for traveling outside the Region till such facilities become available within the North-Eastern Region.Boarding and Lodging Expenses -Boarding and lodging expenses at the rate of Rs.100/- per day for a maximum duration of 15 days would be admissible, only for those patients whose total income is up to Rs.22,500/- per month and the same will be allowed to attendant/escort. Boarding and lodging expenses will be admissible for the following:-i. To attend the camp for receiving aids and assistive devices.ii. Persons with Locomotor disability:a. Corrective/reconstructive surgeryb. Cases requiring stay for fitment of artificial limb/caliperiii. Person with Hearing disability: Cases requiring stay for earmould fabrication/fitment Implementing agencies will, as far as possible, avail the facilities of boarding and lodging available in the Dharamshalas attached to Hospitals.Types of Aids/AppliancesThe following aids and appliances may be allowed for each type of disability. However, any other item as notified from time to time by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities for the purpose will also be allowed.PERSONS WITH LOCOMOTOR DISABILITYa) All prosthetic and orthotic devices, mobility aids, surgical foot wears, MCR chappals, and all types of devices for ADL (activity of daily living) as recommended by an expert committee from time to time.b) HIGH-END PROSTHESIS:-High-end Prosthesis (Below Knee, Above Knee, Below elbow, and Above elbow) to Persons with disabilities having 80% and above disability. The extent of the subsidy would be Rs.30,000/-.c) Motorized tricycles and Motorized wheelchairs for persons with severe locomotor disability, Stroke, Cerebral Palsy, Hemiplegia, and any other person with similar conditions, where either three/four limbs or one-half of the body are severely impaired. Persons with Disabilities 80% and above disability would be eligible for assistance with a Motorized tricycle and a Motorized wheelchair. The extent of the subsidy would be Rs.50,000/-. This will be provided to persons aged 16 years and above, once in five years. Persons with severe disabilities of 16 years and above age having mental impairment shall not be eligible for Motorized tricycles and wheelchairs since it puts them at risk of serious accident/physical harm. Within the maximum subsidy to be provided for the distribution of motorized tricycles, the year's specific limit would be decided by a Committee having representation of DEPWD, ALIMCO and if required, other concerned agencies.PERSONS WITH VISUAL DISABILITIES INCLUDING DEAF-BLIND AND WITH OTHER DISABILITIES.a. Accessible Mobile Phone to visually impaired students aged 18 years and above, once in five years, and Laptop, Braille Note Taker andBrallier to school-going students with disability (class 10th and above), once in 10 years. However, the extent of financial support under the scheme would be in accordance with the provisions contained in para7.0.b. Learning equipment.c. Communication equipment.d. Low vision aids.e. Special mobility aids for persons with visual disabilities with muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy like adapted walkers.f. Any suitable aids & assistive devices as recommended by the Expert committee from time to time.PERSONS WITH HEARING DISABILITYa. Various types of hearing aids, including BTE, etc.b. Educational kits.c. Assistive and Alarm devices.d. Any suitable aids & assistive devices as recommended by Expert Committee from time to time.Persons With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilitiesa. Teaching and Learning Material (TLM) Kits.b. Multi Sensory Inclusive Education Development (MSIED) Kit.c. Any suitable device/kit/learning material as advised by Expert Committee from time to time.MULTIPLE DISABILITYAny suitable device as advised by Expert Committee from time to time.LEPROSY CURED PERSONSi. Assistive Daily Living Kits (ADL) for Leprosy cured persons.ii. Any suitable device as advised by Expert Committee from time to time.NEW DISABILITIES ADDED IN THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES RPWD ACT, 2016Any suitable aids and assistive devices as may be specified by Expert Committee from time to time for new disabilities added in the PWD Act, 2016.Periodic revision of aids/appliancesThe list of assistive devices may be revised periodically by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), without seeking the approval of the Expenditure Finance Committee/Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, within the financial ceiling prescribed by the Expert committee constituted in the Department. Department may also issue further guidelines in pursuance of the aims & objectives of the Scheme.

Sources and references

Guidelines

Who Can Apply for PMSBY?

To be eligible for the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, you must:

Be an individual account holder in a participating bank or post office.
Be between 18 years (completed) and 70 years (age nearest birthday) old.
Give your consent to join the scheme and enable the auto-debit facility for premium payment.

How to Enroll in PMSBY

Enrolling in PMSBY is straightforward and can be done through your bank or post office:

Visit your bank or post office branch.
Fill out the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana enrolment form.
Give your consent for the annual premium of Rs. 20/- to be auto-debited from your bank/post office account. The debit usually happens on or before June 1st each year for the coverage period of June 1st to May 31st.

You can also check with your bank for online application options if available.

Documents Needed for PMSBY

The primary requirement is a valid bank or post office account. You will need to provide:

Completed Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana enrolment form.
Consent for auto-debit of premium from your account.

Your bank or post office may ask for standard KYC documents if not already updated in your account.

FAQ’s

Can I join PMSBY from more than one bank account?

No, you can only be enrolled in the scheme through one bank or post office account. If you have multiple accounts, you must choose just one for PMSBY enrollment. The scheme will only cover Rs. 2 Lakhs even if premiums are mistakenly debited from multiple accounts.

What happens if the insured person goes missing and their death cannot be confirmed?

The PMSBY scheme covers deaths that are confirmed and supported by documentary evidence, proving they were caused by an accident. If death cannot be confirmed, legal heirs may not be able to claim the insurance benefit.

Does PMSBY cover accidents caused by natural disasters like floods or earthquakes?

Yes, death or disability resulting from natural calamities like earthquakes, floods, or other similar events is covered under PMSBY, as these are considered accidents.

Is there a specific age limit to join PMSBY?

Yes, individuals aged between 18 years (completed) and 70 years (age nearest birthday) are eligible to join the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana.

How is the premium paid for the scheme?

The annual premium of Rs. 20/- is paid through an 'auto debit' facility. This amount is automatically deducted from your bank or post office account, usually on or before June 1st each year, as per the consent you provide during enrollment.

Will my family receive the insurance benefit if I commit suicide?

No, the scheme does not cover death due to suicide.

If an accident leads to death or disability, do I need to file a police report or FIR to claim benefits?

For incidents involving vehicles, drowning, or any crime, reporting the accident to the police and obtaining an FIR is necessary. For other types of accidents like snake bites or falls, immediate hospital records will be needed to support the claim.

What if I have a joint bank account? Can all account holders join PMSBY?

Yes, if you have a joint bank account, all account holders can join the scheme individually, provided they meet the eligibility criteria. Each person will need to pay Rs. 20 per annum, and the premium will be auto-debited from the account.

What are the specific benefits for accidental disability under PMSBY?

In case of total and irrecoverable loss of sight of both eyes, or loss of use of both hands or feet, or loss of sight of one eye and use of a hand or foot due to an accident, you will receive Rs. 2 Lakhs. For total and irrecoverable loss of sight of one eye or loss of use of one hand or foot, the benefit is Rs. 1 Lakh.

Can someone who was not enrolled initially join PMSBY later?

Yes, individuals who are eligible but did not join in the initial year can join in subsequent years by paying the annual premium through auto-debit. New eligible individuals can also join in the future years.

What is the amount provided in case of accidental death?

In the unfortunate event of accidental death, the nominee or legal heir(s) of the insured will receive Rs. 2 Lakhs.

Who can claim the insurance money if the account holder passes away?

If the account holder who enrolled in the scheme dies, the claim can be filed by the nominee or appointee named in the enrolment form. If there's no nomination, the legal heir(s) can file the claim.

Is hospitalization expense reimbursement covered under PMSBY after an accident?

No, the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana only covers accidental death and disability. It does not provide reimbursement for hospitalization expenses incurred due to an accident.

What happens if a person has a partial disability that doesn't fit the defined categories for full or partial loss?

If the disability is partial and does not meet the criteria for 'total and irrecoverable loss of sight of one eye or loss of use of one hand or foot', then no benefit will be payable under the scheme.

What types of bank accounts are eligible for PMSBY?

All individual bank accounts and post office accounts are eligible. However, institutional accounts are not covered under this scheme.

Does PMSBY cover death or disability from murder?

Yes, death or disability resulting from murder is covered under the scheme as it is considered an accident.

Can NRIs enroll in PMSBY?

Yes, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) are eligible to enroll in PMSBY if they have an eligible bank account in India. However, any claim amount will be paid to the beneficiary or nominee only in Indian currency.

Can I get benefits from multiple insurance schemes if I am covered under other policies as well?

Yes, the coverage provided by PMSBY is in addition to any other insurance cover you may have. You can claim from PMSBY separately if the conditions are met.

How is the claim amount paid to the beneficiary?

Disability claim amounts will be credited directly to the bank account of the insured individual. For death claims, the amount will be transferred to the bank account of the nominee or legal heir(s).

What if I leave the scheme and want to rejoin later?

Yes, individuals who exit the scheme can re-join in future years by paying the annual premium. This is subject to any conditions that may be specified by the scheme at that time.