Extension of PM Cares for Children Scheme

Extension of PM Cares for Children Scheme

Part of: Prelims

Under:  The Ministry of Women and Child Development

• The objective of the scheme is to ensure comprehensive care and protection of children who have lost their parent(s) to COVID pandemic, in a sustained manner, enable their wellbeing through health insurance, empower them through education and equip them for self-sufficient existence with financial support on reaching 23 years of age.  
• The scheme inter-alia provides support to these children through convergent approach, gap funding for ensuring education, health, monthly stipend from the age of 18 years, and lump sum amount of Rs. 10 lakhs on attaining 23 years of age.
• The scheme covers all children who have lost: 

1. Both parents
2. Or Surviving parent 
3. or legal guardian/adoptive parents/single adoptive parent due to COVID 19 pandemic, starting from 11.03.2020 the date on which WHO has declared and characterized COVID-19 as pandemic till 28.02.2022. 

To be entitled to benefits under this scheme Child should not have completed 18 years of age on the date of death of parents.

News Source: PIB