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| 📢 IMPORTANT UPDATE , June 2026After the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, the state government announced theAnnapurna Bhandar Scheme as the successor to Lakshmir Bhandar. Key changes from June 2026: • Monthly benefit raised to ₹3,000 flat for all categories (was ₹1,500–₹1,700) • Minimum age reduced from 25 years to 21 years • Existing beneficiaries may need a simple e-KYC update for auto-migration • New applications expected to open soon , watch official portals for updates |
What is the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme?
Lakshmir Bhandar is a monthly financial assistance programme run by the West Bengal government for women from economically weaker households. Every month, eligible women receive a fixed amount straight into their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The scheme goes by several names , Laxmi Bhandar, Lakshmi Bhandar, Lakshmibhandar , but they all refer to the same programme. It is one of the largest women-focused welfare schemes in India, designed to give women a steady monthly income they can rely on. Women from SC and ST categories receive a slightly higher monthly amount than those from General and OBC categories. Banglar Yuva Sathi Scheme 2026: Eligibility, Benefits, Status Check & Latest UpdateLakshmir Bhandar Monthly Amount (2025–2026)
The West Bengal government revised the payment amounts upward. Below is the current structure:| Category | Monthly Amount | Annual Amount |
| SC / ST Women | ₹1,700 | ₹20,400 |
| General & OBC Women | ₹1,500 | ₹18,000 |
How to Check Lakshmir Bhandar Status Online
If you have already applied, tracking your Laxmi Bhandar status online takes less than two minutes. Here is how to do it:Step-by-Step: Laxmi Bhandar Status Check
- Open the official website , https://socialsecurity.wb.gov.in/login , or the dedicated beneficiary portal.
- On the status check page, enter one of the following: Application ID, registered mobile number, Aadhaar number, or Swasthya Sathi card number.
- Type the CAPTCHA code shown on the screen.
- Click 'Search' or 'Check Status'.
- Your application status appears on the screen right away.
Status Showing 'Pending'? Here Is Why
If your status has been pending for more than 60 days after applying, one of these reasons is usually behind it:- Your Aadhaar is not yet linked to your bank account
- There is a name mismatch between your Aadhaar and bank records
- Your Swasthya Sathi card details are incorrect or not yet verified
- Document verification is still in progress at the BDO or SDO office
Lakshmir Bhandar Payment Status Check
Apart from the application status, you can also view your month-by-month payment history on the same portal. The payment section shows:- Month-wise list of all payments made
- Exact amount credited each month
- Date of the last transaction
- Bank account details where the amount was sent
Laxmi Bhandar Helpline Number
For payment delays, application issues, status queries, or anything related to the scheme transition , reach out through the official helpline:| Laxmi Bhandar / Lakshmir Bhandar HelplinePhone: 033-22143526Email: [email protected] Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM You can call this number to ask about: • Payment delays or missing credits • Reasons for application rejection • e-KYC update process for the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme • Requests to update address or bank account |
Lakshmir Bhandar Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the monthly benefit, an applicant must satisfy all of the conditions listed below:- Must be a permanent female resident of West Bengal
- Age between 25 years and 60 years at the time of application
- Must be enrolled under the Swasthya Sathi health insurance scheme
- Should NOT be a permanent or retired government employee (central or state), or work in any government undertaking, statutory body, municipality, panchayat, or government-aided institution drawing a regular salary or pension
- For General category families: not eligible if any family member pays income tax, or if the family owns more than 2 hectares of agricultural land
Who is NOT Eligible?
| Category | Eligible? |
| Female permanent resident of West Bengal, aged 25–60 | Yes |
| Enrolled under Swasthya Sathi | Yes (mandatory) |
| Retired state government employee drawing pension | No |
| Employee in central government or PSU | No |
| General category family with an income tax payer | No |
| General category family with 2+ hectares of farmland | No |
| Women students above 25 years (meeting other criteria) | Yes |
| Employed woman in private sector (meeting other criteria) | Yes |
How to Apply for the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme
The application process is primarily offline. You can download the form online but must submit it in person. Here is how it works:Step-by-Step Application Process
- Collect the application form from your nearest Duare Sarkar camp, BDO office (rural areas), SDO office (urban areas), or KMC office (Kolkata). You can also download and print it from the official government website.
- Fill in all required details carefully , name, address, Aadhaar number, bank account information, Swasthya Sathi card number, and caste category if applicable.
- Attach self-attested photocopies of all required documents (see the list in the next section).
- Submit the complete form and documents at the Duare Sarkar camp, BDO, SDO, or KMC office.
- Officials will verify your details and enter them into the government portal.
- The BDO, SDO, or KMC will forward eligible applications to the District Magistrate or KMC Commissioner for final approval.
- Once approved, the monthly benefit is credited directly to your Aadhaar-linked bank account.
Documents Required
- Aadhaar Card (original + self-attested copy)
- Swasthya Sathi Card (mandatory)
- Caste certificate , required only for SC and ST applicants
- Bank passbook , first page showing account holder name, account number, bank name, IFSC code, and MICR number
- Passport-size colour photograph of the applicant
- Self-declaration form (duly signed) confirming you are a female citizen of West Bengal and not employed in any government-aided body
Laxmi Bhandar vs Annapurna Bhandar: What Is Changing in 2026?
The West Bengal government has announced that the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme will gradually take over from Lakshmir Bhandar starting June 2026. Here is a side-by-side comparison:| Feature | Lakshmir Bhandar | Annapurna Bhandar (Upcoming) |
| Monthly Benefit | ₹1,500 – ₹1,700 | ₹3,000 (flat) |
| Annual Benefit | ₹18,000 – ₹20,400 | ₹36,000 |
| Age Eligibility | 25–60 years | Expected 21–60 years |
| Benefit Type | Category-wise | Flat (all categories) |
| Transfer Mode | DBT (Aadhaar-linked) | DBT (Aadhaar-linked) |
| Current Status | Active | Rollout from June 2026 |
| Existing Beneficiaries | Currently receiving payments | Auto-migration / e-KYC update likely required |
| Application Mode | Download + offline submission | To be announced |
Common Problems and Solutions
1. Payment Not Received This Month
Before raising a complaint, go through this checklist:- Check that your application status shows 'Approved' and not 'Pending' or 'Rejected'
- Make sure your Aadhaar is linked to your active bank account , confirm this with your bank if unsure
- Payments go out in the first week of the month , wait until the 15th before acting
- If there is still no credit after the 15th, call the helpline: 033-22143526
2. Application Rejected
The portal usually shows the rejection reason. The most common ones are:- Applicant is ineligible under government employment rules
- Swasthya Sathi enrollment not found or has expired
- Name on the Aadhaar does not match the application form
- A duplicate application was found in the system
3. Need to Update Name or Bank Account
If you have changed your bank account or need to correct your name or Aadhaar details, visit your BDO or SDO office in person with updated documents. Do not delay , any mismatch in bank details will cause all future payments to fail.Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I check my Laxmi Bhandar status using my phone number? Yes. The official portal lets you search using your registered mobile number, along with your Application ID, Aadhaar number, or Swasthya Sathi card number. Q2. What is the Laxmi Bhandar helpline number? The official helpline is 033-22143526. You can also write to [email protected] for status and payment queries. Q3. How much money do I get under Lakshmir Bhandar? SC/ST women receive ₹1,700 per month (₹20,400 per year). Women from General and OBC categories receive ₹1,500 per month (₹18,000 per year). The amount is transferred via Direct Benefit Transfer. Q4. Is the application process online or offline? You can download the form online from the official website, but submission must happen in person at a Duare Sarkar camp, BDO, SDO, or KMC office. There is no fully online application process at present. Q5. What happens to my benefits when I turn 60? Payments under Lakshmir Bhandar stop once you turn 60. At that point, you may become eligible for the Old Age Pension Scheme, subject to applicable government rules. Q6. I am a 27-year-old student. Can I apply? Yes, as long as you meet all other eligibility criteria , Swasthya Sathi enrollment, the income conditions, and the government employment rules , students above 25 can apply. Q7. Can I use the monthly benefit for any purpose? Yes. There are no conditions on how you spend the money. You can use it for household needs, health, education, savings, or anything else. Q8. Is there any fee to apply? No. The application is completely free. If anyone asks for money to submit your form, report it to the authorities at once. Q9. When does the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme begin? The rollout is expected from June 2026. Existing beneficiaries are likely to be migrated automatically, though an e-KYC update may be needed. Keep checking the Duare Sarkar portal and local offices for updates. Q10. My status shows 'Approved' but I am not getting paid. What should I do? First, check that your Aadhaar is correctly linked to your bank account. If it is linked but payment is still missing, call 033-22143526 or email [email protected] with your application ID and registered mobile number.Summary
Lakshmir Bhandar continues to be one of West Bengal's most significant welfare programmes for women, giving eligible beneficiaries a monthly income of ₹1,500 to ₹1,700. With the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme set to take over from June 2026 and the monthly benefit doubling to ₹3,000, millions of women stand to gain substantially. To stay on top of your payment status and the upcoming transition, check the official West Bengal government portals regularly and keep your Aadhaar, bank account, and Swasthya Sathi details current.| Quick Reference , Lakshmir Bhandar Key InformationHelpline Number: 033-22143526Email: [email protected] SC/ST Monthly: ₹1,700 General Monthly: ₹1,500 Age Eligibility: 25–60 years (21–60 under new scheme) Transfer Mode: Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Application: Offline , BDO / SDO / KMC / Duare Sarkar camp |
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