Pravasi Pension Scheme

Read on to know more about the different aspects of the Pravasi Pension Scheme.

What is Pravasi Pension Scheme?

Pravasi Pension Scheme (PPS) is a post-retirement best pension plan for Non-Resident Keralites (NRKs) who wish to settle in the state after returning from a foreign country. Kerala Pravasi Welfare Board manages this scheme and is funded by the Pravasi Welfare Fund (Pravasi Kshemanidhi).

The NRKs can avail of the monthly pension and other welfare benefits on enrolment with this scheme.

Pravasi Welfare Fund/ Pravasi Kshemanidhi

Pravasi Welfare Fund or Pravasi Kshemanidhi is a social security fund for the welfare of NRKs, envisaged under the Keralites’ Welfare Act, 2008 by the State Government of Kerala. The fund aims to reach out to all eligible members and provide financial relief as well as other benefits.

Some of the major schemes offered under the Pravasi Welfare Fund (Pravasi Kshemanidhi) are as follows:

• Kerala Pravasi Pension Scheme

• Kerala Pravasi Family Pension Plan

• Kerala Pravasi Financial Assistance for Marriage

• Kerala Pension Plans for Invalids

• Kerala Pravasi Medical Aid Scheme

• Financial Assistance to Dependents of a Departed Participant

Features of Pravasi Pension Scheme 

Let us learn the key features of the Pravasi Pension Scheme from the table mentioned below:

Eligibility Criteria for Pravasi Pension Scheme 

The terms and conditions to become eligible to get a monthly pension provided by the Pravasi Kshemanidhi are as follows:

NRKs Ineligible under Kerala Pravasi Pension Scheme:

Kerala Pravasi Welfare Board does not offer this scheme to NRKs who are employed with Central or State Governments.

Documents Required

The NRKs must submit the following application forms to register with the Pravasi Welfare Fund:

How to Register for Pravasi Pension Scheme Online

Following is a step-to-step guide you can follow to register online under Pravasi Pension Scheme:

Step 1: Visit the official website of the Kerala Pravasi Welfare Board

Step 2: Click on a ‘Services’ option 

Step 3: Visit the menu of Online Registration and press on the tab ‘Online Apply’ tab

Step 4: This will forward you to the application form page of the Pravasi Pension Scheme

Step 5: Choose the type of registration according to your group i.e., Form 2A, 1A, and 1B 

Step 6: Enter your name, gender, age, address, and other basic details

Step 7: Upload the self-attested documents with your photo and a digital signature

Step 8: Submit the digital copies of your valid Visa Passport

Step 9: Pay the applicable monthly fee required to register with Pravasi Kshemanidhi/ Pravasi Welfare Fund

Step 10: Click on ‘Submit’. Note your application number shown on the screen.

Your registration process will get successful after document verification. You will get your Member ID for Pravasi Welfare Fund within 15 working days of registration.

List of Kerala Pravasi Welfare Board Schemes

Let us learn the features of the major schemes provided under Kerala Pravasi Welfare Board Schemes.

1. Kerala Pravasi Family Pension Scheme

   The key features of the Pravasi Family Pension Scheme are as follows:

   Features	Details
   Beneficiaries	Family of deceased NRK (member of Pravasi Kshemanidhi): Spouse of the NRK Children up to 21 years of age Unmarried daughter above the age of 18 years Dependent parents
   Monthly Pension Assured	50% of monthly pension entitled to the NRK
   Monetary Support if NRK passes away abroad	Sum of Rs. 50,000 to the dependent family
   Monetary Support if NRK settled in Kerala passes away	Sum of Rs. 30,000 to the dependent family

2. Pravasi Kshemanidhi- Financial Assistance for Medical Treatment Scheme

   The important features to note under Financial Assistance Programme for Medical Treatment by the Pravasi Welfare Fund are as follows:

   Features	Details
   Beneficiaries	NRKs suffering from a critical ailment
   Financial Support	Up to Rs. 50,000 per individual during membership in Pravasi Welfare Fund/ Pravasi Kshemanidhi
   No Monetary Support, if	If the NRK receives financial assistance from the Central or State Government

3. Pravasi Kshemanidhi- Financial Assistance for Marriage 

   Let us learn the key points of the plan to provide financial assistance for marriage.

   Features	Details
   Beneficiaries	NRKs who are a member of Pravasi Kshemanidhi/ Pravasi Welfare Fund, and Contributing regularly for a period of 3 years Maximum 1 NRK member in a family can claim this financial assistance
   Financial Support	Sum of Rs. 10,000 For marriage expenses of up to 2 daughters

4. Pravasi Kshemanidhi- Financial Assistance to Invalids

   The key features of the Pravasi Welfare Fund’s programme to provide financial assistance for Invalids are:

   Features	Details
   Beneficiaries	NRKs members of Kerala Pravasi Welfare Fund, and  Not able to pay due to any incapability or physical deformity Contributing regularly for 3 years to the Pravasi Kshemanidhi
   Documents Required	Valid doctor’s certificate who treated the NRK member Should not be able to perform any physical activity

5. Pravasi Welfare Fund- Scheme for Financial Assistance to Dependents of the Deceased Member 

   Following are the features to get financial Assistance to the Dependants of the deceased NRK member of the Pravasi Kshemanidhi:

   Features	Details
   Beneficiary	To the family of the deceased NRK who falls under Form 1A of the Pravasi Pension Scheme To the family of the deceased NRK u/Form 1B of the Pravasi Pension Scheme
   Financial Assistance	NRK u/Form 1A: Up to Rs. 50,000 NRK u/From 1B: Up to Rs. 30,000

6. Payment of Financial Assistance for Maternity Scheme

   The major features of the Pravasi Welfare Fund’s plan to provide financial assistance for maternity benefits are as follows:

   Features	Details
   Beneficiary	For female NRK member or female spouse of the NRK member, if  Contributing regularly for 2 years to the Pravasi Kshemanidhi Fund
   Financial Assistance	For maternity expenses: Up to Rs. 3,000 In case of abortion: Up to Rs. 2,000

7. Payment of Educational Grant Scheme

   To get access to grants for higher education under the scheme offered by the Pravasi Welfare Fund, the main features are as follows:

   Features	Details
   Beneficiary	NRK members of the Pravasi Welfare Board Contributing regularly for 2 years to the Pravasi Kshemanidhi Fund
   Financial Assistance Provided for	For Higher Education Expenses of Children Eligible Courses: PG Professional courses/ ITI/ ITC degrees

8. Housing Loan Payment Scheme

   The major criteria to avail house loan facility under the Pravasi Kshemanidhi scheme is as follows:

   Title	Details
   Beneficiaries	NRK members of the Pravasi Pension Scheme Contributing regularly for 5 years to the Pravasi Kshemanidhi Fund Approval of the Pravasi Welfare Board is required
   Loan Facility for House Loan	Credit provided for: Construction of house Land purchase for the construction of a house Land purchase with the building Reconstruction of the existing building

Wrapping It Up

Kerala Pravasi Pension Scheme is widely appreciated in the NRI community. The scheme has helped individuals who have returned to Kerala to live a dignified life. It has become a major success in addressing the issues of financial insecurity and social isolation faced by many returning NRIs.

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