Objectives and Institutional Framework
The Department of Social Welfare in Bihar operates the Laxmibai Samajik Suraksha Pension Scheme through the Social Security Pension Management Information System (SSPMIS). The scheme provides social security safety nets to vulnerable women following the demise of their spouse.
Pensions are disbursed directly through the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) and the Bihar State Electronic Direct Benefit Transfer platform into the beneficiary's Aadhaar-linked savings account.
- Social Welfare Mandate: Safeguards widows without financial family support against poverty and destitution.
- Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): Monthly pension funds are transferred directly into verified bank accounts, eliminating middleman leakages.
- SSPMIS Integration: End-to-end digital tracking of pension sanctioning, monthly disbursement, and annual life verification.
Eligibility Criteria and Category Guidelines
Applicants must be permanent residents of Bihar aged 18 years or above who are legally recognized widows. The applicant's annual family income must fall below the poverty threshold defined under state social welfare guidelines.
Widows receiving other government social pensions (such as Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension or central employee family pensions) are not eligible to receive concurrent dual pension benefits.
- Residency & Age: Permanent resident of Bihar aged 18 years and above.
- Income Ceiling: Annual household income must be certified below the prescribed state poverty ceiling by the Circle Officer (CO).
- Death Verification: Must furnish a valid municipal or rural death certificate of the deceased husband.
Application Steps and Verification via RTPS / SSPMIS
Eligible widows can submit applications online through the Right to Public Services (RTPS Bihar) portal (serviceonline.bihar.gov.in) or offline at their local Block Development Office (BDO) / RTPS counter.
Following documentary verification by the Block Social Security Cell and approval by the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), the pension order is generated. Beneficiaries must complete annual physical or biometric life certification (jeevan praman) to maintain continuous monthly credits.
- Required Documentation: Husband's death certificate, applicant's Aadhaar card, Bihar residential certificate, income certificate, and bank passbook.
- Aadhaar Bank Linkage: Savings account must be seeded with Aadhaar on the NPCI mapper for DBT transfers.
- Annual Life Verification: Annual digital life certification via biometric or facial recognition through the SSPMIS portal.
Official source
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Social Welfare Department, Government of Bihar - SSPMIS ↗Related on KisanPe
Common questions
What is the official name of the widow pension scheme in Bihar?
It is officially known as the Laxmibai Samajik Suraksha Pension Scheme, managed under the SSPMIS portal by the Social Welfare Department, Bihar.
Where can widows apply for the pension in Bihar?
Applications can be submitted online via the Bihar RTPS portal (serviceonline.bihar.gov.in) or offline at local Block Development Office (BDO) RTPS counters.
Is annual life verification required for Bihar widow pensions?
Yes, beneficiaries must complete annual digital life verification (jeevan praman) through SSPMIS or designated kiosks to ensure uninterrupted pension credits.
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