The eligibility criteria for the Women’s Security Scheme, which provides a monthly pension of ₹1,000 to eligible women, have been finalised. Applicants must submit their forms to the secretary of the respective local self-government institution. The pension amount will be directly transferred to beneficiaries’ bank accounts, following the existing welfare pension distribution model by the Social Security Pension Company.
Women aged between 35 and 60 who are not enrolled in any other welfare schemes and belong to the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (yellow ration card) or priority category (pink ration card) are eligible. Trans women in these categories may also apply.
Applicants must submit an affidavit confirming their eligibility. Age can be verified using documents such as a birth certificate, school certificate, driving licence, or passport. In the absence of these, a doctor’s certificate will be accepted. If the pension is obtained fraudulently, the amount will be recovered with 18 per cent interest.
Other key conditions
- Applicants must be permanent residents of Kerala.
- Individuals already receiving widow, single, disability, social welfare, service, family, or welfare board pensions, or an EPF pension, are not eligible. Beneficiaries who move out of Kerala or secure a permanent or temporary job in any central, state, autonomous, or grant-in-aid institution or scheme will lose eligibility.
- Employment in private institutions, however, does not disqualify applicants.
- Pension will not be granted if ration cards are reclassified as blue or white. Those remanded or imprisoned for more than a month will forfeit eligibility. The scheme aims to enhance the financial security of women from economically disadvantaged backgrounds while ensuring transparency and accountability in its implementation.
