Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) Benefits Eligibility and Documents

Janani Suraksha Yojana

Empowering mothers and ensuring the well-being of newborns is a national priority, and Janani Suraksha Yojana, also known as JSY, is a government initiative designed to make that a reality. Let's delve deeper and understand how JSY empowers expecting mothers in India.

Features of Pradhan Mantri Janani Suraksha Yojana

Launched in 2005 under the National Health Mission, the Pradhan Mantri Janani Suraksha Yojana focuses on promoting institutional deliveries among pregnant women, particularly those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. It integrates cash assistance with delivery and post-natal care, making quality healthcare accessible and affordable.

The JSY scheme categorises states based on their institutional delivery rates, providing focused support to low-performing states. Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) acts as a crucial bridge between pregnant women and the Janani Suraksha Yojana benefits.

There are four factors that make JSY stand out. They are as follows:

• Focus on institutional deliveries: JSY heavily incentivises institutional deliveries by providing cash assistance specifically for births at government health facilities or accredited private institutions. This focus is stronger compared to some schemes that might offer broader support for prenatal care or child health.
• State categorisation: JSY acknowledges the disparity in healthcare infrastructure across India. By categorizing states based on institutional delivery rates (Low-Performing States and High-Performing States), it provides targeted support to states needing the most improvement. This feature might not be present in nationwide schemes with a uniform approach.
• ASHA workers, a bridging force: JSY leverages the extensive network of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) workers to reach expecting mothers, particularly in rural areas. This grassroots approach might be absent in schemes relying solely on government hospitals or online registration.
• Combined cash assistance and care: JSY goes beyond just financial aid. It integrates cash assistance with access to antenatal checkups, post-natal care, and emergency obstetric services. This comprehensive approach ensures expecting mothers receive not just financial support but also vital healthcare throughout pregnancy and childbirth.
• Focus on women's empowerment: JSY indirectly promotes women's empowerment by providing financial assistance directly to mothers. This empowers them to make informed choices regarding their healthcare and gives them more control over the resources they receive.

Benefits of Janani Suraksha Yojana

JSY offers many benefits to expecting mothers. It encourages institutional deliveries by providing cash assistance, which varies depending on the state category (Low-Performing State or High-Performing State) and the mother's location (rural or urban).

JSY also covers essential antenatal checkups and ensures access to emergency obstetric services. Financial assistance is provided for caesarean sections if government specialists are unavailable. The yojana also promotes breastfeeding and facilitates post-natal care for both mother and child.

The benefits offered by Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) set it apart from other similar schemes in a few key ways, as mentioned below:

• Cash assistance targeting: Unlike schemes that offer generic healthcare benefits, JSY specifically provides cash assistance directly to mothers who deliver in government or accredited private institutions. This financial incentive tackles a major barrier to institutional deliveries, particularly for women from underprivileged backgrounds.
• Differentiated cash amounts: JSY recognises the variations in living costs and healthcare needs across different regions. It offers higher cash assistance in rural areas compared to urban areas. Additionally, the scheme provides increased financial support in Low Performing States (LPS) with lower institutional delivery rates, further incentivising mothers in these regions to choose safe deliveries.

For instance, expecting mothers in a rural village might have higher costs for transportation or childcare compared to someone living in a city. JSY acknowledges this by offering a higher cash benefit in rural areas to help manage these expenses. Similarly, a state like Uttar Pradesh, which might have a lower number of hospital deliveries compared to Tamil Nadu, would get a higher amount of cash assistance per mother under JSY.

This extra money is meant to encourage mothers in Uttar Pradesh to choose hospitals for delivery. The exact amount of cash assistance can change depending on the specific state and year. You can find the latest information on the official JSY website or other government health department websites.

• Comprehensive care coverage: JSY goes beyond just cash disbursement. The scheme covers essential antenatal checkups, ensuring mothers receive proper monitoring throughout pregnancy. It also facilitates access to emergency obstetric services, which can be crucial during childbirth complications. This comprehensive approach ensures mothers receive not just financial aid but also vital healthcare throughout the process.
• Post-natal care support: JSY doesn't stop at childbirth. It promotes breastfeeding and provides support for post-natal care for both mother and child. This holistic approach fosters a healthy recovery for the mother and ensures a good start for the newborn.
• Focus on empowerment: By directly providing cash assistance to mothers, JSY empowers them to make informed decisions about their healthcare and manage the resources they receive.
• Reduced maternal mortality: The emphasis on institutional deliveries, along with access to quality care, contributes significantly to lowering maternal mortality rates, especially among vulnerable populations.

Eligibility Criteria of Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)

Certain Janani Suraksha Yojana eligibility criteria must be met in order to be eligible for JSY benefits. Pregnant women above 19 years of age are encouraged to register. JSY offers cash assistance for up to two live births. Eligibility for the cash benefit amount depends on the state category (LPS or HPS), residency (rural or urban), and economic background (Below Poverty Line or not). Pregnant women delivering in government hospitals or accredited private institutions are entitled to the benefits.

Note that there are some relevant points that you should understand about the eligibility criteria:

• Type of delivery: JSY covers normal deliveries. However, it's advisable to check with local authorities or healthcare providers for specific guidelines regarding eligibility for caesarean sections under JSY.
• Time of registration: While there's no specific deadline, registering early in pregnancy is recommended. Early registration allows for the timely completion of required antenatal checkups, which is sometimes a prerequisite for receiving full benefits.
• Previous history of institutional deliveries: JSY doesn't restrict eligibility based on a history of deliveries. It aims to encourage institutional deliveries even for women who might have had home births previously.
• Double registrations: JSY discourages registering for the scheme multiple times for the same pregnancy. It's best to register at one designated centre to avoid complications during claim processing.
• Government employee status: Pregnant women who are government employees might have separate healthcare schemes offered by their employers. It's advisable to check if they can avail of benefits under both JSY and their employer's scheme.

Documents required For Janani Suraksha Yojana

Applying for JSY is a straightforward process. Here's what you'll need:

• Aadhaar card (mandatory)
• Ration card (if Below the Poverty Line)
• Caste certificate (if applicable)
• Hospital discharge slip or birth certificate (after delivery)

The preceding JSY documents can be submitted during registration at designated centres. In case an Aadhaar card is unavailable, some states might accept alternative identification documents like voter ID cards or photo identity cards issued by government departments. It's best to check with local authorities for accepted alternatives.

While submitting photocopies is sufficient, some registration centres might require original documents for verification. For a smooth process, it's advisable to carry both originals and photocopies. While not always mandatory, providing bank account details can expedite the cash assistance disbursement process. Pregnant women can inquire about this option during registration.

JSY rarely requires documents from the expecting mother's husband. However, some states might have specific requirements, so it's best to check beforehand.

What work has been done on JSY by PACS?

PACS (Primary Agricultural Credit Societies) collaborates with JSY to raise awareness about the scheme and its benefits. They work alongside self-help groups to educate expecting mothers on the importance of JSY for their health and the well-being of their newborns. This network allows PACs to reach expecting mothers and encourage them to register for JSY. They can also assist with the registration process by providing guidance on required documents and designated registration centres.

PACS also strive for increased representation of women, especially from socially excluded groups, in health committees. This empowers women to voice their concerns and advocate for better healthcare services. Additionally, PACS collaborate with local service providers to improve healthcare facilities and address issues like discrimination and malpractice.

How to Apply for Janani Suraksha Yojana

You can register for JSY online or offline. Visit the official JSY website and click on "Apply Online" to access the e-registration form. Alternatively, download the form by clicking "Download Offline Form" and choose your preferred language. Fill out the form accurately with details like your name, age, address, and expected delivery date. Attach the required documents and submit the form online or take a printout for offline submission at an ASHA or Anganwadi centre.

FAQs - Janani Suraksha Yojana

Let's address some common questions about JSY.

Is there any age limit to apply for Janani Suraksha Yojana?

Yes, expecting mothers must be 19 years of age or older to apply for JSY.

When will the cash benefit be provided under Janani Suraksha Yojana?

The cash benefit is typically disbursed at the healthcare facility where the delivery takes place. In some cases, ANMs, ASHAs, or other link workers might provide the benefit during delivery or around seven days prior.

What is the main aim of JSY?

The primary aim of JSY is to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rates by promoting safe institutional deliveries, particularly among underprivileged women. Imagine a world where expecting mothers don't have to worry about the safety of themselves and their newborns during childbirth. This is the vision behind Janani Suraksha Yojana, a government programme that empowers women in India to choose safe hospital deliveries.

Which states are termed Low Performing States under Janani Suraksha Yojana?

Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan are classified as Low Performing States under JSY.

Can the mother's monetary benefit be given to the institution for the services rendered?

No, the cash assistance provided under JSY cannot be given to the institution for the services rendered. The money is meant to directly benefit the mother, empowering her to make informed choices about her healthcare and recovery. JSY understands the crucial role hospitals play in safe deliveries. However, by giving cash assistance directly to the mother, the program prioritises her well-being and empowers her to navigate the post-partum period with greater financial security and autonomy.

What is the JSY scheme amount?

There isn't a universal "JSY scheme amount," as the cash assistance provided varies depending on several factors. These include the state category (Low-Performing State or High-Performing State), the mother's residency (rural or urban), and her economic background (Below the Poverty Line or not).