Don’t Forget to Submit the Annual Life Certificate: Ensuring Uninterrupted Pension Payments
For pensioners, maintaining a steady flow of income is crucial, and one of the most important steps to ensure this is the timely submission of the Annual Life Certificate, also known as the Digital Life Certificate (DLC). This certificate is essential for verifying the continued eligibility of pensioners to receive their monthly payments.
Submission Periods for Pensioners
Pensioners aged 60 and above must submit their life certificates between November 1 and November 30 each year. However, super senior citizens aged 80 and above have an extended window, allowing them to submit their certificates from October 1 to November 30 annually. This staggered timeline is designed to accommodate the needs of older pensioners, ensuring they have ample time to complete this important task.
What is Jeevan Pramaan?
Jeevan Pramaan is a revolutionary digital life certificate system for pensioners, utilizing biometric authentication linked to the individual’s Aadhaar number. Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2014, this online system simplifies the process of submitting life certificates, making it more accessible and efficient for pensioners across the country. The use of biometric data ensures that the identity of the pensioner is verified accurately, thus preventing any fraudulent claims.
Methods to File the Digital Life Certificate (DLC)
There are several methods available for pensioners to submit their DLC:
- Biometric Authentication: This method includes face, finger, and iris recognition, ensuring a secure and reliable verification process.
- Video-based Customer Identification Process (V-CIP): This method allows banks to verify the identity of pensioners through video calls, providing an alternative for those who may not have access to biometric devices.
Prerequisites for DLC Generation
Before submitting the DLC, pensioners need to ensure they have the following information and tools ready:
- Aadhaar Number: This must be registered with the pensioner’s account in the Pension Disbursing Agency (PDA), which could be a bank or post office.
- Type of Pension: Information about the pension type is necessary.
- Existing Mobile Number: The mobile number linked to the Aadhaar account.
- PPO Number: The Pension Payment Order number.
- Sanctioning Authority and Disbursing Agency: Details about who sanctioned the pension and where it is disbursed.
- Account Number (Pension): The bank account number where the pension is credited.
- Device Requirements: For fingerprint and iris authentication, a PC or laptop with Windows is required. For face authentication, an Android mobile or tablet with version 9 or above and internet connectivity is necessary.
Submitting the Digital Life Certificate through Aadhaar Face Authentication
Pensioners can conveniently submit their life certificates using the Face Authentication Technology based on the Aadhaar database. This process can be completed using an Android smartphone, making it accessible for many.
- Download the Required Applications: Pensioners should first download the “Aadhaar Face RD (Early Access) Application” from the Google Play Store. This app is essential for the background process of the Jeevan Pramaan Application.
- Access the Jeevan Pramaan App: After installing both applications, pensioners can access the “Jeevan Pramaan” app from the Google Play Store.
- Operator Authentication: The pensioner or a family member must enter their Aadhaar number, phone number, and email address. An OTP will be sent to the registered mobile number and email, which must be submitted to proceed.
- Face Scan Process: After OTP verification, the app will prompt the user to provide their name as per Aadhaar and initiate the face scan. The app will guide the user through the scanning process, ensuring that the camera used has a resolution of 13 MP or higher.
- Pensioner Authentication: Once the operator authentication is complete, the pensioner will fill in their details, including full name, type of pension, PPO number, and account number. The face scanning process will then begin again.
- Completion and Download: After successful face scanning, the DLC submission will be confirmed on the mobile screen, along with the Pramaan ID and PPO number. Pensioners can download a PDF copy of the certificate from the Jeevan Pramaan website by entering the Pramaan ID.
Important Points to Note
- The operator authentication is a one-time process, meaning that once completed, the same operator can generate DLCs for multiple pensioners.
- The pensioner can also act as the operator, simplifying the process for families.
- It is crucial to ensure that all information provided is accurate to avoid any delays in the pension payment process.
By adhering to these guidelines and ensuring timely submission of the Annual Life Certificate, pensioners can enjoy uninterrupted access to their hard-earned pensions, allowing them to live with dignity and security in their golden years.