Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens: Benefits & Eligibility Explained

The Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens was launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to improve the lives of senior citizens. It was launched in 1992 to provide basic help such as home, food, medical care and entertainment facilities to the elderly. Support under the programme is provided to local bodies and eligible non-governmental and voluntary organisations. The programme is designed to be flexible and meet the diverse needs of older people.

What Is An Integrated Programme For Senior Citizens?

Not only is India's population growing, but life expectancy is increasing and fertility is falling. The recent pandemic has changed the lives of older people in several ways and increased their problems. Isolation and loneliness make them more susceptible to worry and other mental disorders. This situation is often exacerbated when sons, daughters and daughters-in-law show pervasive and violent tendencies towards them.

As of 1 April 2016, the Ministry has revised the IPOP scheme by including the following components:-

• Awareness on Care and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act (MWPSC) Act, 2007
• Establishment of a counselling centre for senior citizens at the national level.
• Establishment of a helpline for senior citizens at the district level.
• Programme for the implementation of the new National Policy on Senior Citizens Policy.

Also read: Learning About The Sagarmala Project (सागरमाला परियोजना): Steering India’s Maritime Sector

Benefits

Old age is the time when a person's productive contribution diminishes and he/she becomes economically dependent. Here are the benefits of the Integrated Programme for Sr Citizens:

• Meeting the basic needs of the elderly people, including food, adequate housing and timely health care.
• Building and improving relationships between younger and older people.
• Promoting an active and productive lifestyle for older people.

Other Schemes Related To Older Person Benefits

Other relevant schemes include the Atal Pension Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Senior Citizen Saving Plan, all aimed at enhancing the quality of life for older adults.

Atal Pension Yojana

Atal Pension Yojana is a pension scheme for 18 to 40-year-olds who do not pay income tax. This scheme reduces the risk of longevity of workers in the unorganised sector. The scheme is primarily aimed at poor or underprivileged workers.

Benefits Of This Scheme

• Poor and underprivileged people can contribute.
• Guaranteed minimum pension depending on contributions.
• Guaranteed pension for spouse in case of death of subscriber.
• Contributions to Atal Pension Yojana (APY) are eligible for tax favoured under Section 80CCD(1)

Pradhan Mantri Senior Citizen Savings Plan

Pradhan Mantri Senior Citizen Saving Scheme is a government-sponsored pension scheme. Indian senior citizens can invest a lump sum amount in this scheme to get regular income and tax benefits. It is a postal savings scheme. You need to open a SCSS account to avail the benefits of SCSS.

Benefits Of This Scheme

• People who open an SCSS account can have interest paid into their account.
• From 01.01.2024, interest will be paid for the first time from the date of deposit until 31 March/30 June/30 September/31 December.
• Thereafter, you will receive interest on the amount deposited quarterly.