Government schemes in West Bengal
পশ্চিমবঙ্গ
West Bengal’s own schemes covered here are Swasthya Sathi and Lakshmir Bhandar. Residents can also apply for the 7 central government schemes listed below, which are open in every state.
- Type
- State
- Capital
- Kolkata
- Region
- East India
- Official portal
- wb.gov.in ↗
West Bengal schemes at a glance: who runs them and where to get help
Each West Bengal scheme is run by its own department, with its own portal and helpline. Use these rather than an agent — applying is handled by the government, not by this site.
| Scheme | Run by | Helpline | Official portal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swasthya Sathi | Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of West Bengal | 1800-345-5384 (toll-free, 24×7) · WhatsApp 9073313211 | swasthyasathi.gov.in ↗ |
| Lakshmir Bhandar | Social Welfare Department, Government of West Bengal | — | socialsecurity.wb.gov.in ↗ |
What each West Bengal scheme pays and who qualifies
Swasthya Sathi
What you get. Cashless hospital treatment up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care, at any empanelled hospital. There is no cap on family size, parents from both spouses are covered, dependent persons with disabilities in the family are covered, and every pre-existing disease is covered from day one. The entire premium is paid by the state government — the beneficiary pays nothing, then or later.
Who it is for. Families resident in West Bengal who hold a Swasthya Sathi smart card, issued free on the day of enrolment through a camp or a permanent enrolment centre.
Eligibility conditions
- You must be a permanent resident of West Bengal.
- You must not already be insured under another government-sponsored health insurance scheme.
- You must not be receiving a medical allowance along with your salary.
Who is not eligible
- You are already covered by a government-sponsored health insurance scheme — this scheme is not layered on top of another one.
- You draw a medical allowance with your salary, which is treated as your employer's own health cover.
How to check your application status
- Find your name in the beneficiary records. Search the official records by your details to confirm your family is enrolled.
- Verify your card. Check that your smart card is active and correctly linked to your family record.
- Download your e-card. You will need your Aadhaar number and the last four digits of your registered mobile number.
Full Swasthya Sathi guide, with sources and the official portal
Lakshmir Bhandar
What you get. ₹1,200 per month for a woman from a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe household, and ₹1,000 per month for a woman of any other category. It is credited every month by Direct Benefit Transfer to an Aadhaar-linked bank account held solely by the eligible adult female member of the household.
Who it is for. Women resident in West Bengal aged 25 to 60 whose household is enrolled under Swasthya Sathi, and who do not draw a regular salary or pension from government service.
Eligibility conditions
- You must be a resident of West Bengal.
- You must be a woman aged between 25 and 60 years.
- Your household must be enrolled under the Swasthya Sathi scheme.
- You must have your own Aadhaar and a single-holder bank account in your own name.
Who is not eligible
- You are in permanent government employment, or are a retired government employee, of the Central or State Government, a statutory body, a government undertaking, a panchayat, a municipal corporation or municipality, or any other local body, and receive a regular salary or pension.
- You are a teaching or non-teaching employee of a government-aided educational institution drawing a regular salary or pension.
How to check your application status
- Open the citizen portal. The department's site at socialsecurity.wb.gov.in now opens the Family Level Data Collection Portal. Choose Citizen / Family Login.
- Log in with the mobile number you applied with. Sign in using the mobile number given on your application and the OTP sent to it. The portal shows your application status and lets you file a claim or grievance if something is wrong.
Full Lakshmir Bhandar guide, with sources and the official portal
Which schemes does the West Bengal government run?
Swasthya Sathi
West Bengal's own cashless health cover gives an eligible family up to ₹5 lakh a year for secondary and tertiary hospital care, on a paperless smart card the state issues free. Over 2.42 crore families are covered and treatment is cashless at more than 2,800 empanelled hospitals.
Lakshmir Bhandar
West Bengal pays ₹1,200 a month to women from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe households and ₹1,000 a month to women of other categories, aged 25 to 60, whose household is enrolled in Swasthya Sathi. The money is credited by Direct Benefit Transfer to a single bank account in the woman's own name.
Which central schemes are available in West Bengal?
These are funded by the Government of India and open to eligible residents of every state and union territory, including West Bengal.
How do you apply from West Bengal?
Swasthya Sathi
4 steps, starting with “Get Form B and fill it in”. Keep these documents ready:
- Aadhaar card
- An additional identity proof — voter ID, ration card or similar
- Proof that you are a permanent resident of West Bengal
- Filled Form B, the scheme's enrolment form
Lakshmir Bhandar
5 steps, starting with “Collect the form at a Duare Sarkar camp, or at the BDO or municipality office”. Keep these documents ready:
- Swasthya Sathi card of the household
- Aadhaar card
- Caste certificate, if you are claiming the ₹1,200 Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe rate
- Self-attested photocopy of the bank passbook page showing the account holder's name, account number, bank address, IFSC and MICR. It must be a single account in the name of the eligible woman only
- A colour passport-size photograph
- A signed self-declaration that you live in West Bengal, that you draw no salary or pension from a regular government job, and that the information in the form is true
For central schemes, apply on the national portal linked in each guide.
Frequently asked questions
Who can get Swasthya Sathi in West Bengal?
Families resident in West Bengal who hold a Swasthya Sathi smart card, issued free on the day of enrolment through a camp or a permanent enrolment centre.
What does Swasthya Sathi pay?
Cashless hospital treatment up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care, at any empanelled hospital. There is no cap on family size, parents from both spouses are covered, dependent persons with disabilities in the family are covered, and every pre-existing disease is covered from day one. The entire premium is paid by the state government — the beneficiary pays nothing, then or later.
Where do I apply for Swasthya Sathi?
On the official portal, swasthyasathi.gov.in. Applying is free: do not pay an agent. The guide sets out all 4 steps, starting with "Get Form B and fill it in".
What is the Swasthya Sathi helpline?
1800-345-5384 (toll-free, 24×7); WhatsApp 9073313211.
Who can get Lakshmir Bhandar in West Bengal?
Women resident in West Bengal aged 25 to 60 whose household is enrolled under Swasthya Sathi, and who do not draw a regular salary or pension from government service.
What does Lakshmir Bhandar pay?
₹1,200 per month for a woman from a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe household, and ₹1,000 per month for a woman of any other category. It is credited every month by Direct Benefit Transfer to an Aadhaar-linked bank account held solely by the eligible adult female member of the household.
Where do I apply for Lakshmir Bhandar?
On the official portal, socialsecurity.wb.gov.in. Applying is free: do not pay an agent. The guide sets out all 5 steps, starting with "Collect the form at a Duare Sarkar camp, or at the BDO or municipality office".
Can West Bengal residents apply for central government schemes?
Yes. PM-KISAN, Ayushman card, e-Shram card, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, PM Surya Ghar, PM Vishwakarma and Atal Pension Yojana are central schemes open in every state and union territory, including West Bengal. Each has its own eligibility rules, set out in its guide.