Old Age Pension Scheme Alert: Verify Details by May 25 or Risk Losing Benefits

In Moradabad, the Social Welfare Department has launched a major verification drive for beneficiaries under the National Old Age Pension Scheme. If you're currently receiving this pension or plan to apply, it's crucial to get your details verified before the deadline of May 25, 2025. Failure to do so could result in your name being removed from the list of beneficiaries.

Why the Verification Drive?

The state government has initiated the verification process to ensure that only eligible senior citizens continue to receive the pension benefits. As part of this effort, the Social Welfare Department is reviewing the records of 52,628 beneficiaries in Moradabad alone. The move comes in compliance with orders from the Chief Secretary to eliminate ineligible or deceased beneficiaries from the scheme.

Once ineligible names are removed, new deserving elderly individuals will be added to the list to receive support under the pension scheme.

What is the Old Age Pension Scheme?

This pension scheme is operated by the Social Welfare Department to support senior citizens from Below Poverty Line (BPL) households. Eligible individuals aged 60 years or older receive a quarterly pension of ₹1000, transferred directly into their bank accounts via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Eligibility Criteria:

To qualify for the old age pension, the applicant must:

• Be a resident of Uttar Pradesh

• Belong to a BPL household

• Be 60 years or older

• Have an annual income less than:

  • ₹46,080 (rural areas)

  • ₹56,460 (urban areas)

Who Will Verify the Beneficiaries?

• In rural areas, the verification is being conducted by the Block Development Officer (BDO).

• In urban areas, the task has been assigned to Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) or Executive Officers nominated by the District Magistrate.

Strict Action for False Verification

To ensure transparency, the Director of the Social Welfare Department has ordered a 10% cross-verification. Any official found guilty of misreporting—for instance, declaring a living pensioner as deceased—will face penalty action from the District Magistrate.

Zero Poverty Campaign Inclusion

As part of the Zero Poverty Abhiyan, the government has identified 25 underprivileged families from each village. During verification, eligible elderly members from these families will be added to the pension scheme. These new beneficiaries will receive their first pension installment in June 2025.

Final Word

If you or someone in your family is receiving benefits under the Old Age Pension Scheme, do not ignore the verification process. Ensure that all necessary documentation is completed before May 25, 2025, to continue receiving financial assistance. This timely step can secure your support for the coming financial year.