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Social welfare & Empowerment

Distress Relief Scheme

The "Distress Relief Scheme" was launched by the Social Welfare and Nutritious Meal Programme Department, Government of Tamil Nadu. The scheme's objective is to provide financial assistance of ₹20,000/- to the BPL households on the death of their primary breadwinner (male or female).

Authority

State/ UT

Region

Tamil Nadu

Status

Verified 2026

Updated

March 2026

What you get

Financial Assistance of ₹20,000/-.

Who can apply

The applicant should be the legal heir of the deceased primary breadwinner.; The family of the applicant should be solely dependent on agriculture (agricultural labourers/ small and marginal farmers).; The family should be from the "Below Poverty Line" category.

Required Paperwork

  • Aadhaar Card
  • PAN Card
  • Income Certificate
  • Residence Proof (Domicile)

Common Questions

What is the objective of the Distress Relief Scheme?

The objective of the scheme is to provide financial assistance upon the death of the "Primary breadwinner" (male or female).

How much financial assistance is provided upon the death of the primary breadwinner?

A sum of [?]20,000 is paid to households below the poverty line upon the death of the primary breadwinner.

Who are the eligible persons to receive assistance under this scheme?

Eligible persons include legal heirs of the deceased primary breadwinner, families solely dependent on agriculture, agricultural laborers, small and marginal farmers, and individuals with an annual income not exceeding [?]24,000.

What documents need to be submitted along with the application?

Applicants need to submit a copy of the Ration card or Aadhaar Card, along with a copy of the Death Certificate.

Where should the application be sent?

The application should be sent to the District Collector, Special Deputy Collector (Social Security Scheme), or Special Tahsildar (Social Security Scheme).

Who is the sanctioning authority for the scheme?

The sanctioning authority for the Distress Relief Scheme is the Special Tahsildar (Social Security Scheme).

Who should be contacted in case of delays or deficiencies in service?

In case of delays or deficiencies in service, individuals can contact the Special Deputy Collector (Social Security Scheme), Sub Collector, Revenue Divisional Officers, or the District Collector.

Is there a specific income limit for eligibility?

Yes, an annual income not exceeding [?]24,000/-, is eligible to apply.

Are legal heirs the only ones eligible to apply for assistance under this scheme?

No, legal heirs of the deceased primary breadwinner, as well as individuals solely dependent on agriculture, agricultural laborers, small and marginal farmers.

Are there any additional benefits or support provided to families who qualify for distress relief?

Apart from the financial assistance of [?]20,000, no additional benefits or support are mentioned under the scheme.