Quick answer: If your old-age, widow or disability pension (under NSAP or a state scheme) has stopped or never reached you, file an RTI to the Social Welfare / Rural Development department that runs it. Ask for your sanction status, the months paid and the account paid into, and the reason for any stoppage. The PIO must reply within 30 days.
Why a social-security pension stops
These pensions — for the elderly, widows and persons with disabilities — often stop without notice because a life certificate / verification was missed, the bank account or Aadhaar seeding stopped matching, the fund release was delayed, or the name was quietly dropped from the beneficiary list. The beneficiary is rarely told why.
How an RTI helps
An RTI forces the welfare office to confirm, on record, whether you are still a sanctioned beneficiary, which months were paid, the account the money went to, and the exact reason for any stoppage — so it can be restarted.
Who to send the RTI to
Send it to the PIO, District Social Welfare Office (or the Block / Panchayat office in rural areas, or the department that administers the scheme in your state).
What to ask in your RTI
- Whether I, [name], pension ID / application no. ________, am currently a sanctioned beneficiary of the [old-age / widow / disability] pension.
- The months for which the pension has been paid, with the amount and dates.
- The bank account (last four digits) to which it was paid.
- The reason for the stoppage or non-payment, if any.
- The steps and the date by which my pension will be restarted.
Ready-made format: adapt one from our Sample RTI Applications, or let us draft and file it for you.
If you get no reply in 30 days
No reply is a deemed refusal — file a First Appeal to a senior officer in the same office. For matters affecting livelihood, the RTI can also be marked as concerning life and liberty, which requires a reply within 48 hours.
Helping an elderly or vulnerable family member? FileMyRTI drafts and files the RTI for you from ₹399, to the correct welfare office.
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