PM CARES for Children Scheme
Scholarship Amount
About This Scholarship
The PM CARES for Children Scheme is a significant initiative designed to provide comprehensive support to children who have tragically lost their parents, a surviving parent, legal guardian, or adoptive parents due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, children who suffered such losses since March 11, 2020, are eligible for this scheme. The primary objective is to secure the future of these vulnerable children by offering robust financial, health, and educational assistance.
The scheme aims to ensure that every child affected by these unprecedented circumstances receives adequate care and opportunities to grow and thrive. It addresses various critical aspects of a child's development, from immediate financial stability to long-term educational and health needs.
Key benefits provided under this scheme include:
Financial Assistance: A substantial lump sum amount of ₹10,00,000 is disbursed directly to the child or their guardian. This fund offers a crucial financial safety net, allowing flexibility for utilization towards essential needs such as education, healthcare expenses, or daily living costs. It provides significant relief and stability for the child's well-being.
Health Insurance Coverage: To safeguard the child's health, a comprehensive health insurance cover of ₹5,00,000 is provided for a continuous period of five years. This insurance package is designed to cover critical medical requirements, including hospitalization charges, surgical procedures, and other necessary medical treatments. It guarantees access to quality healthcare without imposing a financial burden on the child or their caregivers.
School Education Scholarship: Recognizing the importance of education, the scheme offers a dedicated scholarship of ₹20,000 per year for school education. This scholarship is consistently provided until the child successfully completes Class 12. It aims to support their foundational learning journey and ensures continuity in their academic pursuits.
Boarding and Lodging Assistance: For children who are unable to reside with their immediate family, the scheme extends assistance for boarding and lodging. This support is available until the child attains 18 years of age, ensuring a stable and secure living environment during their formative years.
Higher Education Support: The scheme is committed to fostering academic and professional growth by offering assistance for higher education. Children who wish to pursue further studies can receive support in the form of scholarships or educational loans. This provision helps in facilitating their advanced academic endeavors and career development.
Rehabilitation Support: Understanding that some children may require specialized care, the scheme includes provisions for rehabilitation support. This can encompass a range of services such as counselling, tailored training programs, or placement assistance. These supports are designed to address individual needs, promoting overall development, emotional well-being, and successful integration into society.
Through these multifaceted benefits, the PM CARES for Children Scheme strives to offer a holistic support system, ensuring that children impacted by the pandemic can build a secure and promising future.
Eligibility Criteria
The applicant must fulfil the below-mentioned criteria:
Applicants must be Indian citizens and residing in India at the time of application.
Children must be under 18 years old at the time of application.
Children who have lost both parents, a surviving parent, a legal guardian, adoptive parent(s), or a single adoptive parent due to COVID-19 since 11th March 2020, are eligible.
Required Documents
Death certificates of the parents
Proof of age of the child
Proof of the relationship of the child with the deceased parents
Proof of income of the family
A statement from the Child Welfare Committee (CWC)
How to Apply
Eligible children or their guardian(s) must first register on the official portal managed by the Ministry of Women and Child Development to apply for the PM CARES for Children Scheme.
The registration process requires the submission of an online application form, along with supporting documents such as a death certificate, proof of identity, and proof of guardianship.
Once submitted, the application undergoes a verification process conducted by the District Magistrate or District Child Protection Unit to ensure eligibility.
Upon successful verification, the child is enrolled in the scheme, and the PM CARES Fund disburses the specified benefits directly to the child's bank account. These benefits include a lump sum amount, monthly stipends, educational scholarships, and health insurance coverage.
For official communication and further details regarding the application process, please refer to the designated government website for the scheme.