Centre announces financial assistance schemes to help families who have lost their earning members to Covid-19

In addition to the measures announced under PM CARES for Children — Empowerment of Covid affected children — the government has announced further measures to help families who have lost the earning member due to Covid. As part of measures, the government will provide pension to families of those who died due to Covid and an enhanced and liberalised insurance compensation.

The Prime Minister said that government stands in solidarity with their families. He also said that through these schemes, efforts are being made to mitigate financial difficulties



that may be faced by them.

To help family live a life of dignity and maintain a good standard of living, benefit of ESIC pension scheme for employment related death cases is being extended to even those who have died due to Covid.

Dependent family members of such persons will be entitled to the benefit of pension equivalent to 90% of average daily wage drawn by the worker as per the existing norms.

This benefit will be available retrospectively with effect from 24.03.2020 and for all such cases till 24.03.2022.