PM CARES Fund — Apply for COVID Distress Aid

What is PM CARES Fund?

PM CARES Fund (Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund) is a public charitable trust set up in March 2020 to provide emergency relief during COVID-19 and other disaster situations. It is distinct from the PM National Relief Fund (PMNRF).

PM CARES has provided three major types of direct citizen benefits:

PM CARES — Three Main Benefit Programmes

1. PM CARES for Children (COVID Orphans)

Children who lost both parents or the sole breadwinner to COVID-19 (from March 2020 onwards):

Who applies: District Magistrate / Collector in each district identifies and enrolls eligible children. Parents/guardians can also approach DM office.

2. PM CARES Insurance for Health Workers

Health workers (ASHA, ANM, doctors, nurses, sanitation workers) who died due to COVID-19 while on duty:

3. PM CARES Oxygen & Equipment Support

PM CARES funded procurement of:

• 1.5 lakh oxygen concentrators for district hospitals
• Ventilators for government hospitals
• Vaccine purchase support

These are institutional benefits — directly available at government hospitals. Citizens access them by going to government hospitals.

PM CARES Scholarship for COVID Orphans — How to Apply

The most actionable benefit for families:

Step 1 — Identify Eligibility

Child must have lost parent(s) to COVID-19. Date of death should be on record.

Step 2 — Approach District Magistrate Office

Go to your District Collectorate and meet the DM or the Child Welfare Committee (CWC). They will:

• Verify the COVID death certificate of parent
• Register the child in the PM CARES Children scheme
• Initiate monthly support and school admission

Step 3 — Higher Education Scholarship

When the child reaches Class 11/12 or college age:

• Contact State Child Protection Society or the DM office
• Scholarship is processed through National Scholarships Portal (scholarships.gov.in)
• Course fees are paid directly to the college

PM CARES Fund — What It Doesn't Cover

PM CARES is NOT a general COVID relief fund for individuals. It does NOT provide:

• Cash grants to COVID-affected families (use state Chief Minister Relief Funds)
• Compensation for job loss
• Treatment cost for COVID patients (use PM-JAY / Ayushman Bharat)
• Support to migrant workers (use BOCW welfare boards)

For general hardship: approach your State CM Relief Fund or Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (food scheme).

Frequently Asked Questions

1. My father was a daily wage worker who died of COVID. Can I apply to PM CARES?

PM CARES for Children specifically covers loss of the sole earning parent to COVID. Approach your District Collector's office — they will assess eligibility and enroll your child in the scheme if eligible.

2. How do I donate to PM CARES Fund?

Donate at pmcares.gov.in via net banking, UPI, or credit/debit card. Donations qualify for 80G tax deduction.

3. I am a private hospital nurse who treated COVID patients. Am I covered by PM CARES insurance?

The ₹50L insurance under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package covered government and contractual health workers. Private hospital workers were generally not covered — check with your state health department.

4. Can I apply for PM CARES Children scheme now in 2025?

Yes, if the parent's COVID death occurred from March 2020 onwards and the child has not yet turned 23. Approach the DM office in your district.

5. Where can I check the status of PM CARES funds used?

PM CARES releases quarterly reports on pmcares.gov.in with details of fund utilization by category.

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