RMEWF - Financial Assistance to 100% Disabled Child of Ex-Servicemen

What is RMEWF Financial Assistance to a 100% Disabled Child of Ex-Servicemen?

RMEWF Financial Assistance to a 100% Disabled Child of Ex-Servicemen is a welfare grant under the Raksha Mantri Ex-Servicemen Welfare Fund (RMEWF), run by the Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB) in the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defence. It provides lifelong monthly support for a fully disabled child of a former soldier of low or middle rank, recognising that such a child will usually never be able to earn a living and will remain dependent for life.

According to the Kendriya Sainik Board, the assistance is paid from the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFDF). The fund built from public donations on Armed Forces Flag Day. The grant is one of several AFFDF welfare measures under RMEWF, alongside the penury grant, medical treatment assistance and education grants for children of ex-servicemen.

How much is paid?

According to the KSB, "Financial Assistance to 100% disabled child of ESM will be provided out of AFFD Fund at the increased rate of Rs 3,000/- per month (paid annually) with effect from 1 August 2021." That works out to Rs 36,000 a year per eligible child. The rate was last revised in 2021; the payment is made as an annual disbursement into the beneficiary's bank account.

The grant continues throughout the life of the disabled child and stops only on the child's death. To keep it running, the family must submit an annual life certificate online between 1 December and 31 March each year.

Who is eligible for this assistance?

You can apply if:

• You are an ex-serviceman or the widow of an ex-serviceman up to the rank of Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) or equivalent in the Navy and Air Force, and below.
• The child is a legitimate offspring of the ex-serviceman or widow.
• The child is certified 100% disabled by a military or government hospital.
• The child is not already receiving a disability benefit from any other official agency.
• Your application is recommended by your Zila Sainik Board (ZSB).

You cannot apply if:

• The ex-serviceman held a rank above JCO (commissioned officers are not covered by this grant).
• The child's disability is less than 100%.
• The child already draws a disability benefit from another government source.
• The child is not a legitimate dependent of the ex-serviceman or widow.

What documents are required?

How to apply for RMEWF disabled-child assistance

1. Obtain the 100% disability certificate for your child from a military hospital or a government hospital, if you do not already have one.
2. Visit the Kendriya Sainik Board portal at ksb.gov.in (the scheme page is at ksb.gov.in/disabled-child-of-esm.htm), register or log in, and fill the prescribed application form.
3. Upload the documents — discharge book photocopy, ESM and dependent identity cards, the disability certificate, and your PNB or SBI bank account details with IFSC code.
4. Submit the form to your Zila Sainik Board by 31 December. The ZSB verifies the case and forwards complete applications through the Rajya Sainik Board to the Kendriya Sainik Board by 31 January.
5. On approval, the Rs 3,000 per month grant is disbursed annually to your bank account. Submit the online life certificate every year between 1 December and 31 March to continue the payment.

Because the grant is applied for and recommended through the Zila Sainik Board, your local ZSB office is the key point of contact for filling the form, verifying documents and tracking the case.

Help and grievance redressal

• Kendriya Sainik Board, West Block-IV, Wing-VII, RK Puram, New Delhi-110066
• General inquiry: 011-25777049 / 9667647016
• Scheme page: ksb.gov.in/disabled-child-of-esm.htm
• Your local Zila Sainik Board / Zila Sainik Welfare Office for in-person help

The grant is funded from public donations to the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund, and no agent should charge you to apply. Missing the annual application window (31 December) or the yearly life certificate window (1 December to 31 March) can interrupt the payment, so note both dates carefully.