FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR CRITICAL / TERMINAL ILLNESS SCHEME

• Assistance amount: ₹2,00,000 (one-time)
• Applicable only to Indian CDC holder seafarers (not family members).
• Minimum 6 months qualifying sea service as prescribed.
• Mandatory medical certificate from a Central/State Government Hospital (not older than 6 months).
• Application to be submitted within 6 months from date of medical certificate.
• Benefit is admissible only once in a lifetime.

DETAILS / RULES FOR THE WELFARE SCHEME FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR CRITICAL / TERMINAL ILLNESS SCHEME

These rules may be called “One-time Financial Assistance for Critical / Terminal Illness Scheme, 2026” of the Seafarers’ Welfare Fund Society (SWFS).

1. Commencement

• The scheme shall come into force with effect from 01 January 2026.

2. Objective

• To provide one-time financial assistance to eligible Indian seafarers suffering from critical / terminal illness, as approved by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) as per their list.

3. Eligibility

• 3.1 The scheme is applicable only to seafarers holding Indian CDC.
• 3.2 The scheme is not applicable to family members of the seafarer.

4. Quantum of Assistance

• Eligible seafarers shall be paid one-time financial assistance of ₹2,00,000/- (Rupees Two Lakhs only).

5. Sea Service Requirement

• (a) Active Seafarers (of any age):

  Must have completed a minimum cumulative sea service of six (6) months during the preceding five (5) years through Indian Shipping Company, or RPSL prior to the date of diagnosis of the critical / terminal illness, duly certified by the Central / State Government Hospital authority.

• (b) Seafarers above 50 years / Retired Seafarers:

  Must have completed minimum cumulative 6 months sea service after attaining the age of 50 years, through: Indian Shipping Company or RPSL.

6. Medical Certification

• The seafarer shall submit a Medical Certificate issued by a Central / State Government Hospital, which shall not be older than six (6) months prior to the date of submission of the application to the SWFS.
• The Medical Certificate must:

  Certify that the seafarer is suffering from a critical / terminal illness.

• Submission of the Medical Certificate is mandatory.

7. One-time Benefit Condition

If a seafarer has availed assistance once under this scheme for any critical / terminal illness, no further claim shall be entertained for any subsequent illness.

8.Time Limit for Application

Application under the scheme as per format only must be submitted within six (6) months from the date of issue of the Medical Certificate by the Central / State Government hospital.

9. Authority

The decision of the Competent Authority / Committee of Management (COM) of SWFS shall be final and binding.