Indian Central Government Announces Medical Allowance for Pensioners
On the occasion of the New Year, the Indian Central Government has gifted millions of pensioners and family pensioners with a medical allowance. This Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) will assist pensioners with their daily medical expenses. This allowance will be available to those pensioners living in areas that do not fall under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) or any other health scheme. The allowance will be paid alongside the pension.
Details of the Allowance
Under the direction of the Director of Personnel Department, Ravinder Kumar, the FMA will be given to retired employees under the National Pension System (NPS). The medical allowance will be given by the bank or pension department along with the pension. In May 2014, the Central Government increased the FMA for family pensioners from 100 rupees to 300 rupees. Defence pensioners were receiving 500 rupees FMA, which was increased to 1,000 rupees in August 2017.
Conditions for the Allowance
Retired employees under the NPS must have served for 10 years. In case of death or accidental disability, the years of service will not be considered. Pensioners receiving the FMA will issue a digital or physical life certificate each year in November. The medical allowance will commence in January once the life certificate is submitted by the pensioner in November. In case of death of the pensioner or family pensioner, the family members will inform the bank or pension office with the death certificate.
Payment Procedure and Purpose of the Allowance
The bank will pay three months’ allowance in the first week of March, June, September, and December. The Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) is available to those pensioners who live outside the area covered by the Central Government Health Service. In other words, there are no hospitals or nursing homes under the CGHS service. The central government provides this allowance to its employees after retirement for daily treatment. It can be used to treat illnesses that do not require hospital admission. This is why the government provides this allowance.
- The Indian Central Government has announced a medical allowance for pensioners and family pensioners.
- The allowance will assist with daily medical expenses and will be paid alongside the pension.
- The allowance is available to those who do not fall under the Central Government Health Scheme or any other health scheme.
- The bank will pay three months’ allowance in the first week of March, June, September, and December.
