The Army Group Insurance Fund (AGIF) provides an important welfare benefit for specially abled children of Army personnel who die while in service. Under the Sustenance Allowance Scheme, eligible specially abled children can receive ₹12,000 per month per child, subject to the conditions of the scheme.
The benefit is particularly important for families where a serving Army personnel dies in harness and leaves behind a child who has a significant disability and is unable to earn a livelihood.
The Handbook for Veterans 2026 lists the scheme under AGIF and states that the allowance is ₹12,000 per month per child for up to two specially abled children of service personnel who died in harness, with the revised rate effective from 1 June 2023.
A December 2025 AGIF communication also confirms that the Sustenance Allowance provides ₹12,000 per month to specially abled children of service personnel who die on duty.
Key Points at a Glance
| Particular | Details |
| Scheme | AGIF Sustenance Allowance |
| Beneficiary | Specially abled child of an Army AGIF member |
| Death condition | Parent must die while in service / in harness |
| Amount | ₹12,000 per month per child |
| Maximum children | Up to two eligible children |
| Disability threshold | 40% or above, as supported by the available AGIF benefit documents |
| Earning condition | Child should be unable to earn a livelihood |
| Disability timing | Disability should have manifested before death of the serving parent |
| Administering organisation | Army Group Insurance Fund (AGIF) |
| Rate effective | 1 June 2023 |
The current AGIF material confirms the ₹12,000 monthly rate and the provision for specially abled children of personnel who die in service.
What is AGIF Sustenance Allowance?
The Sustenance Allowance is a welfare benefit administered through the Army Group Insurance Fund for specially abled children left behind after the death of an Army personnel while in service.
The scheme originated in 2007. Earlier versions of the scheme provided a lower monthly amount, which was subsequently revised. Historical AGIF material records that the scheme was initially introduced from 27 October 2007 and was subsequently expanded to cover up to two children.
The present rate reflected in recent AGIF material is ₹12,000 per month per eligible child.
How Much Allowance is Payable?
The present amount is:
₹12,000 per month per eligible child
The benefit can cover up to two specially abled children.
Therefore, where two children independently satisfy the eligibility conditions, the combined monthly assistance could be:
₹12,000 × 2 = ₹24,000 per month
This should not be understood as an automatic payment to every child of a deceased Army personnel. The child must satisfy the prescribed eligibility requirements and the claim has to be processed through the appropriate AGIF/Records mechanism.
An Army veterans’ benefit document hosted by the Records Office also specifies ₹12,000 per month per child for up to two specially abled children with 40% disability or above.
Who Can Get the Sustenance Allowance?
Based on the available AGIF material, the principal conditions include the following.
1. Parent must have died while in service
The scheme is applicable where an Army personnel dies while serving, commonly described as a death “in harness.”
The December 2025 AGIF publication describes the benefit as ₹12,000 per month for specially abled children of service personnel who die on duty.
2. Disability should be 40% or above
Available AGIF benefit documentation specifies a minimum disability level of 40%.
The disability must be certified by the competent medical authority.
3. The child should be unable to earn a livelihood
The available AGIF claim documentation requires a non-earning certificate, indicating that the child is not able to earn a living.
This is an important condition because the allowance is intended as continuing sustenance support for a specially abled dependent.
4. Disability should have manifested before the parent’s death
The AGIF scheme material indicates that the disability of the child should have manifested before the death of the serving parent.
Therefore, families should preserve appropriate medical records and disability certification establishing the relevant date/onset of disability.
5. Maximum two children
The benefit is available for up to two eligible specially abled children of the deceased AGIF member.
What Disabilities Are Covered?
Available AGIF scheme material identifies categories including:
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Cerebral Palsy
- Intellectual disability/mental retardation
- Multiple disabilities
- Blindness
- Low vision
- Leprosy cured
- Hearing impairment
- Locomotor disability
- Mental illness
The precise determination of eligibility depends upon the applicable AGIF rules and medical certification. Therefore, a family should not assume that a particular diagnosis automatically guarantees the allowance.
Important Documents for Claim
The available AGIF benefit documentation indicates that the following documents may be required:
- Application to AGIF
- Non-earning certificate duly signed by the Secretary, District Sainik Board/Sainik Welfare Board, as applicable
- Medical certificate of disability
- Part II Order relating to the child’s birth
- Part II documentation relating to the disability and death of the serving Army personnel
- Bank details of the natural/legal guardian
- Evidence regarding the date of onset of disability
- Where necessary, a certificate from the Commanding Officer of the present unit, with appropriate Part II Order publication for the specially abled child where the disability/record is incorporated after the father’s death.
The exact documents and format should be verified with the concerned Records Office/AGIF before submitting a claim.
How to Apply for AGIF Sustenance Allowance?
The available AGIF documentation indicates that cases are to be processed through the concerned Records Office.
A practical course for the family is:
Step 1: Obtain the child’s valid disability certificate from the competent medical authority.
Step 2: Ensure that the disability percentage and nature of disability are properly recorded.
Step 3: Obtain the required non-earning certificate.
Step 4: Ensure that the relevant birth, disability and death details are correctly reflected in the service records/Part II Orders.
Step 5: Keep the natural/legal guardian’s bank account details ready.
Step 6: Submit the prescribed application and supporting documents through the concerned Army Records Office/appropriate AGIF channel.
Step 7: Follow up with the Records Office/AGIF if any document or clarification is required.
A Special Point About Part II Order
Families should pay particular attention to Part II Order documentation.
The AGIF benefit documents specifically refer to Part II Orders concerning the child’s birth, disability and death of the service personnel. They also refer to a certificate from the Commanding Officer where the record concerning the differently abled child is published after the father’s death.
Therefore, if the disability or other relevant information has not been properly incorporated into service records, the family should approach the appropriate Records Office rather than assuming that the claim will be processed automatically.
Is This the Same as Disability Pension?
No.
AGIF Sustenance Allowance is an AGIF welfare benefit. It should not automatically be treated as disability pension or family pension.
Defence pensionary benefits are governed by separate pensionary rules. The Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare separately publishes information on casualty pensionary awards and the applicable entitlement rules.
Similarly, the Government’s welfare schemes include several other benefits for eligible families of deceased or disabled service personnel, which have separate eligibility conditions.
Therefore, a family should examine family pension, AGIF benefits, ECHS, education benefits, grants and other applicable welfare measures separately.
AGIF Sustenance Allowance vs Other Benefits
The death of a serving Army personnel can result in several different entitlements. The Sustenance Allowance is only one component.
For example, AGIF itself provides insurance and other benefits, while Government and Army welfare organisations provide additional schemes depending upon the circumstances of death and the status of the family. The Ministry of Defence’s Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare lists various benefits available in applicable casualty cases.
This distinction is important because receiving family pension or another welfare benefit does not, by itself, establish or disprove eligibility for the AGIF Sustenance Allowance. Eligibility should be examined under the specific AGIF scheme conditions.
What Families Should Do After the Death of a Serving Soldier
Where a serving Army personnel dies and a specially abled child is dependent on the family, the NoK/legal guardian should ensure that the following matters are examined:
- AGIF insurance claim
- AGIF Sustenance Allowance
- Family pension
- ECHS entitlement, where applicable
- Education benefits
- Applicable Army/AWWA welfare assistance
- State Government benefits
- Other applicable Government compensation/grants
The Ministry of Defence’s welfare information also records separate assistance for certain categories of children and families of deceased service personnel.
Important: Do Not Confuse AGIF and KSB Schemes
The Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB) also operates welfare schemes for eligible ex-servicemen and their dependants.
For example, the KSB’s published welfare-scheme information includes a separate scheme for 100% disabled children of eligible ESM, with its own eligibility conditions and financial assistance.
That is different from the AGIF Sustenance Allowance for specially abled children of an Army AGIF member who dies while in service.
Therefore, families should check both the AGIF entitlement and any KSB/other welfare entitlement applicable to their particular circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current AGIF Sustenance Allowance for specially abled children?
The current amount reflected in recent AGIF material is ₹12,000 per month per eligible child, for up to two specially abled children.
What is the maximum number of children covered?
The scheme provides for up to two eligible specially abled children.
What is the minimum disability percentage?
Available AGIF benefit documentation specifies 40% disability or above.
Is a non-earning certificate required?
Yes. The available AGIF claim documentation specifically lists a non-earning certificate among the documents required.
Does the parent have to die while in service?
Yes. The scheme is specifically intended for specially abled children of service personnel who die while in service/in harness.
Where should the claim be processed?
Available AGIF documentation indicates processing through the concerned Army Records Office/AGIF channel.
Is ₹12,000 paid for each eligible child?
Yes. The scheme is stated as ₹12,000 per month per child, subject to the eligibility conditions and maximum of two eligible children.
Can a family claim other welfare benefits as well?
Other benefits may be available depending upon the circumstances. AGIF Sustenance Allowance should be examined separately from family pension, ECHS, KSB schemes and other Army/Government welfare benefits.
Conclusion
The AGIF Sustenance Allowance is an important long-term welfare provision for specially abled children of Army personnel who die while serving. The current published AGIF material confirms an allowance of ₹12,000 per month per eligible child, with provision for up to two children.
For families of deceased serving personnel, timely documentation is particularly important. Disability certification, non-earning certification, Part II Orders, death records and bank details should be carefully maintained and submitted through the appropriate Records Office/AGIF channel.
Important: Welfare schemes and administrative procedures can be amended from time to time. The amount and conditions stated above are based on the available AGIF/Army material and the 2026 Handbook information shown in the supplied document. Before making a claim, the family should confirm the latest requirements with the concerned Records Office/AGIF.