The Union Cabinet approved the continuation of NSAP until 2031, reducing the minimum disability requirement for pension eligibility to 40 per cent and removing the minimum age limit.
The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved continuation of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) until 2031 with an outlay of ₹53,428 crore, while relaxing eligibility norms for disability pensions.
The programme, benefiting about 3.2 crore people, will be renamed Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana.
Under the revised norms, the minimum disability requirement for pension eligibility has been reduced from 80 to 40 per cent, while the minimum age restriction has been removed.
Monthly assistance for persons with disabilities will be ₹375 up to the age of 79 and ₹625 for those aged 80 and above.
The changes will be implemented within three months of the issuance of guidelines.
Pension schemes for senior citizens and widows, along with the National Family Benefit Scheme, will continue in their existing form, though they will be renamed.
Launched in 1995, the NSAP provides financial assistance to economically vulnerable households through centrally funded social security schemes.
