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Distress Relief Scheme

DRS

Published: Oct 2026

4 min read

Reviewed by Navin, Editor · First published: 2 Oct 2026

Distress Relief Scheme
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Written by Navin · Editor, tsmpb.inUpdated: 17 Oct 2026 · How we verify scheme facts

About this social welfare 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 Rs. 20,000/- to the BPL households on the death of their primary breadwinner (male or female).

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 Rs. 20,000/- to the BPL households on the death of their primary breadwinner (male or female).

Benefits at a glance

Scheme nameDistress Relief Scheme (DRS)
Launched bySocial Welfare and Nutritious Meal Programme Department
Benefit typeCash (money paid to your bank account)
CategorySocial welfare
Level / StateState ยท Tamil Nadu
Official portaltnsocialwelfare.tn.gov.in (link at the end of this page)

Key facts

Implementing agencyThe Revenue Department
Scheme forFamily
Application modeOffline
Last dateOngoing (no last date notified)
DBT (direct bank transfer)No
Family income limitUp to Rs. 24,000 per year

Who can apply (quick check)

  • ๐Ÿ‘คFemale / Male
  • ๐ŸŽ‚Age 18 to 80 years
  • ๐Ÿ˜๏ธRural
  • ๐Ÿ’ฐIncome Rs. 24,000 tak
  • ๐ŸšBPL only
  • ๐Ÿ“Offline

Quick check from official data. Full conditions are in the Eligibility section.

What you receive

Financial Assistance of Rs. 20,000/-.

Who qualifies

1. The applicant should be the legal heir of the deceased primary breadwinner.

2. The family of the applicant should be solely dependent on agriculture (agricultural labourers/ small and marginal farmers).

OR

The annual income of the family should not exceed Rs. 24,000/-.

3. The family should be from the "Below Poverty Line" category.

Papers to keep ready

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Registration walkthrough

Offline

Step 1: The interested applicant should visit (during office hours) the district office of the Tahsildars and request a hard copy of the prescribed format of the application form from the staff exclusively entrusted to issue and collect filled-in applications.

Step 2: In the application form, fill in all the mandatory fields, and attach copies of all the mandatory documents (self-attest, if required).

Step 3: Submit the duly filled and signed application form along with the documents to the District Collector/Special Deputy Collector/Special Tahsildar.

Step 4: Request a receipt or acknowledgement from the Tahsildars to whom the application has been submitted. Ensure that the receipt contains essential details such as the date and time of submission, and a unique identification number (if applicable).

Application Deadline:

Applications should be submitted within six months from the date of death of the breadwinner and will not be normally considered if delayed beyond this period.

Terms used in this scheme

Definition 1

Breadwinner:

  1. The breadwinner of the family, whether male or female, must be an earning member.
  2. Earnings from various sources such as wages, self-employment, profits, rent, interest income, etc., will be considered.
  3. If the head of the family cannot earn due to reasons like old age or incapacity, the prime earner of the family will be considered as the breadwinner.
  4. In case the head of the family is an earning member, the death of another earning member will not qualify the family for benefits.

Frequently asked 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 Rs. 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 Rs. 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 Rs. 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 Rs. 20,000, no additional benefits or support are mentioned under the scheme.

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