Kerala govt raises caregiver assistance under Aswasakiranam to ₹1,000 per month
The Kerala government has issued an order increasing the monthly assistance for caregivers under the Aswasakiranam Scheme from ₹600 to ₹1,000, with immediate effect. The decision, announced in the 2026-27 State Budget, marks a ₹400 hike for those who care for chronically bedridden individuals, persons with disabilities, those suffering from terminal or chronic illnesses, and the elderly.
The Aswasakiranam Scheme, launched in 2011, is implemented by the Kerala Social Security Mission (KSSM). It provides financial support to caregivers—often family members—who dedicate their time and effort to looking after patients who require constant attention. The assistance amount was last revised in 2016, when it was fixed at ₹600 per month. With this latest increase, the benefit has been enhanced after a gap of nearly a decade.
According to officials, the Executive Director of the Kerala Social Security Mission had written to the government last month, requesting that the budget announcement be operationalised without delay. The government's order now formalises the revised amount, ensuring that beneficiaries receive the enhanced payment from the current month itself.
The scheme is part of the state's broader social welfare framework, aimed at reducing the financial burden on families that often have to forgo regular income to attend to ailing members at home. Caregivers under this scheme are typically relatives who are not professionally trained but provide essential day-to-day assistance, including feeding, bathing, mobility support, and administering medication.
The ₹400 increase, while modest, is seen as a recognition of the rising cost of living and the essential nature of caregiving. For many households, even this additional amount can make a meaningful difference in meeting basic needs. The state government has said that the revised assistance will be disbursed through the existing mechanisms of the Social Security Mission, which already has a network of district and block-level offices to handle such payments.
The Aswasakiranam Scheme covers individuals who are permanently bedridden or require constant care due to severe illnesses, including those with advanced cancer, neurological disorders, and age-related frailty. Applications are typically submitted through local self-government bodies, and beneficiaries are identified based on medical certificates and assessments by designated authorities.
Social welfare experts have welcomed the hike, though some have noted that the amount still remains modest compared to the actual economic value of caregiving labour. However, the government's decision is being viewed as a positive step, particularly because it comes after a prolonged period of stagnation.
The Kerala government has been expanding its social security net in recent years, with schemes targeting vulnerable groups such as pensioners, persons with disabilities, and those affected by chronic illnesses. The enhancement of the Aswasakiranam assistance aligns with this broader approach, aiming to provide some measure of financial relief to families who sacrifice so much to care for their loved ones.
The order takes effect immediately, meaning that caregivers who are already enrolled in the scheme will see the higher amount in their next payment cycle. Those who have applied and are awaiting approval will also benefit once their cases are processed.
For now, the state government has not indicated any further revision in the near future. But the latest increase underscores a growing awareness of the crucial role caregivers play in the healthcare ecosystem—a role that is often invisible and undercompensated. With this measure, Kerala has taken a small but significant step towards acknowledging that contribution.
