Janashree Bima Yojana (JBY) Scheme in India

The Janashree Bima Yojana scheme is a life insurance scheme for people below the poverty line. This article discusses Janashree Bima Yojana coverage and the different specialised perks offered through Janashree Bima Yojana.

The scheme is called JBY in short. However, JBY full form stands for Janashree Bima Yojana. If you are considering this scheme or want to provide someone else with details, this article is the perfect place to clarify your doubts! We have thoroughly examined the whole scheme.

The Government of India and the Life Insurance Corporation of India started the Janashree Bima Yojana in 2000. This scheme provides life insurance for both rural and urban people. Most importantly, this programme targets individuals who are below or marginally above the poverty line.

At present, the scheme covers forty-five different occupational groups. It now encompasses two previously prevalent systems – the Social Security Group Insurance Scheme and the Rural Group Life Insurance Scheme.

We hope this cleared your understanding of what is Janashree Bima Yojana!

Some of the important features of the Janashree Bima Yojana are as follows:

• It is a government insurance scheme started in association with the LIC.
• This program targets people marginally above or below the poverty line.
• Premium per person is Rs. 200.
• An applicant, state government, or nodal agency pays around 50% of the premium.
• The Social Security Fund pays the remaining 50%.
• Self-help groups, NGOs, panchayats, or other institutional agencies can be considered as nodal agencies.
• Janashree Bima Yojana Scheme offers a unique service to female self-help group members. This scheme assists them in their children’s education, providing Rs. 30,000 for one year.
• There is also a provision for children whose parents are participants in the JBY. Two children per household studying in classes 11 or 12 can claim a scholarship of Rs. 600 every six months.

Before opting for any scheme, people always like to know the benefits of signing up. 

Here are some of the benefits of Janashree Bima Yojana:

• A beneficiary (legal heir) will receive Rs. 30,000 in the case of natural death.
• In the case of death or permanent disability due to an accident, the compensation offered is equal to Rs. 75,000 to the legal heir.
• For a partial disability due to an accident, the amount provided is Rs. 37,500.
• Loss of both eyes, hands, legs, or one eye and one limb due to an accident Rs. 50,000/- is provided.
• Loss of one eye or one limb due to an accident Rs. 25,000/- is provided.
• Educational support for children studying in grades 9 to 12 or ITI courses: Rs. 3600/- every six months is provided for up to 2 children for 4 years only.

The Female Critical Illness (FCI) benefit under the Janashree Bima Yojana provides specific financial assistance to female participants in Self-Help Groups (SHGs) who are diagnosed with certain critical illnesses. The key benefits include:

• Female participants diagnosed with invasive malignancies, such as malignant tumours in the breast, cervix uteri, ovaries, fallopian tubes, vulva, and vagina, are eligible to receive Rs. 20,000 for treatment.
• The scheme also offers registered domestic workers a maternity benefit of Rs. 5,000, applicable for up to two deliveries.

These benefits aim to provide financial support to women from economically vulnerable backgrounds, ensuring they have access to necessary medical care without the burden of overwhelming costs.​

These are the benefits of signing up for the JBY or the Janashree Bima Yojana coverage.

Apart from insurance coverage, the JBY programme also offers some special concessions. They are as follows:

Essential Details about Women SHG (Self-Help Groups)

This scheme offers several benefits to women participants. It helps them with their children’s education. There is a term insurance plan offering coverage of Rs. 30,000. This amount is provided for a year. Beneficiaries will need to pay Rs. 200 as an annual premium. The woman member pays Rs. 100 and LIC pays the remaining Rs. 100.

Essential Details about Shiksha Sahyog Yojana

This plan covers certain children only. Their parents should be members of the JBY. A scholarship of Rs. 600 is paid every six months to those in classes 11 and 12. This scholarship is provided to only two children per household. Scholarship is paid every January and July.

NOTE: Students who fail and are detained in the same class will not be eligible for a scholarship for the year they are repeating in the same class.

While the Janashree Bima Yojana (JBY) provides valuable insurance coverage to many individuals, certain groups are not eligible for this scheme:

• Individuals above the age of 59 years.
• People not belonging to approved occupational groups.
• Non-members of registered organisations like SHGs or NGOs.
• Individuals without proper documentation (identity, age, or occupation proof).
• Persons with certain high-risk health conditions.

Understanding these exclusions is important for applicants to determine their eligibility accurately.

The eligibility criteria for JBY are as follows:

• The age of the individual should be between 18 and 59 years.
• A person should be below or marginally above the poverty line.
• The membership size should be a minimum of 25.
• Should preferably be a member of any nodal agency or vocational group.

You can use this link to download and print the Janashree Bima Yojana online application form. Also, a person can apply through the nodal agency or the self-help group he/she is a part of. Another way to apply would be through any LIC office:

Step 1: Eligibility Check: Ensure you belong to one of the covered occupational groups and meet the age criteria (18 to 59 years).

Step 2: Contact a Nodal Agency: Approach the nearest nodal agency, such as Self-Help Groups (SHGs), NGOs, Panchayats, or other institutions associated with JBY. These agencies assist in the application process.

Step 3: Fill Out the Application Form: Obtain the JBY application form from the nodal agency or the nearest Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) office. Fill in all required personal and occupational details.

Step 4: Submit Required Documents: As per the nodal agency's instructions, provide necessary documents such as an Aadhaar card, proof of occupation, age proof, and other relevant documents.

Step 5: Pay the Premium: The annual premium for JBY is Rs. 200, out of which the applicant and the remaining Rs pay Rs. 100. 100 is subsidised by the Social Security Fund (SSF).

Step 6: Verification and Approval: The nodal agency will verify your application and forward it to LIC for approval. Once approved, you will receive an insurance certificate confirming your coverage under JBY.

The Janashree Bima Yojana aims to extend insurance policies to economically marginalised workers and their children. This scheme also benefits women and children by providing them with financial assistance.

To claim the benefits of the Janashree Bima Yojana, follow these steps:

Step 1: Contact the Nodal Agency: The first step is to reach out to your affiliated nodal agency, which could be a Self-Help Group (SHG), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), or your local Gram Panchayat, all of which are connected with the JBY scheme.

Step 2: Submit the Claim Form: Obtain the Janashree Bima Yojana (JBY) Claim Form from your affiliated nodal agency or download it from the official website. Carefully fill out the form with all required details, ensuring accurate information. 

Step 3: Attach Required Documents: Along with the claim form, you must submit supporting documents like a medical report (in case of disability claims). The exact documents required may vary depending on the claim type.

Step 4: Verification by Nodal Agency: The nodal agency will verify your documents and the claim's authenticity. Once verified, the nodal agency will forward the claim to the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC).

Step 5: Processing by LIC: LIC will review and process the claim. If all submitted documents and details are in order, the claim amount will be disbursed directly to the nominee or the beneficiary’s designated bank account.

It is essential to submit all claims within six months of the incident to ensure timely processing by LIC.​

Know about:

• Digit's Cashless Medical Insurance Policy
• Digit's Reimbursement Claim

You must follow a structured application procedure to process a death claim under the Janashree Bima Yojana. Ensuring all documentation is accurate and complete will facilitate a smooth claim process:

Step 1: Apply for Claim Application: Apply for the claim payment through the nominee to the Nodal Agency, providing all required documentation. The Nodal Agency will review the claim papers and necessary documentation.

Step 2: Complete the Claim Form: Fill out all sections of the claim form, including Parts "A," "B," "C," and "D." Ensure Part "C" includes a revenue stamp of Rs. 1.

Step 3: Provide Nomination Details:

• Submit the original Application and Nomination Form (Annexure III) or a certificate from the DPO or CDPO of the ICDS Cell or Project.
• The certificate must include the deceased member’s nomination details (e.g., the nominee’s name, relationship, and the date joined as an AWW or AWH).

Step 5: Verify Age: Include proof of age through documents such as a school transcript, birth certificate from a primary health centre, ration card, voter identification card, or a copy of the voter list.

Step 6: Submit Death Certificate: Provide the death certificate from a physician. Attach a copy of the death registration certificate, attested by a Pradhan, Class-I LIC officer, or a Nationalised Bank officer.

Step 7: Include Bank Details: Provide a copy of the beneficiary's or nominee’s bank passbook for the bank details.