Short answer: The simplest way to insure a domestic worker is through government schemes she can join with an Aadhaar-linked bank account: PMJJBY (₹2 lakh life cover for ₹436 a year), PMSBY (low-cost accident cover), PM-JAY (free hospital cover of up to ₹5 lakh per family a year for eligible families) and pension schemes such as PM-SYM or Atal Pension Yojana. Help her register on e-Shram, and if you can, pay the small annual premiums yourself as a benefit.
Last updated: 13 October 2026.
Domestic workers, drivers, cooks and other household help rarely have employer insurance or provident fund. A hospital stay or an accident can wipe out a family’s savings or push them to high-cost lenders. The good news is that a handful of government schemes give meaningful protection for a few hundred rupees a year. This guide explains each one, who qualifies, how to enrol, and how employers can help, with an honest look at costs.
The main schemes at a glance
| Scheme | What it gives | Who can join | Cost to the worker |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) | ₹2 lakh on death from any cause | Age 18–50 at enrolment (cover continues to 55) with a bank or post office savings account | ₹436 a year, auto-debited |
| Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) | Accident cover for death or disability | Adults with a savings account, within the scheme’s age band | ₹20 a year, auto-debited |
| Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY | Hospital cover up to ₹5 lakh per family per year | Eligible families listed under the scheme criteria; urban categories include domestic workers | Nil |
| PM Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) | Pension of ₹3,000 a month after 60 | Unorganised workers aged 18–40 earning up to ₹15,000 a month | Small monthly contribution, matched by the government |
| Atal Pension Yojana (APY) | Guaranteed pension from 60, in fixed slabs | Savings account holders aged 18–40 who are not income-tax payers | Monthly contribution based on age and pension chosen |
| e-Shram registration | A Universal Account Number and access to welfare schemes | Unorganised workers | Free |
Figures for PMJJBY are from the government’s scheme summary published by PIB. Scheme terms are revised from time to time, so confirm the current premium at the bank before enrolling.
1. Life cover: PMJJBY
PMJJBY is a one-year renewable term cover that runs from 1 June to 31 May. The ₹436 premium is auto-debited from the worker’s savings account each year, and if she dies from any cause during the cover period, the nominee gets ₹2 lakh. Enrolment is done at the bank branch, through net banking or the bank’s app. Make sure a nominee is recorded and that the account has enough balance in May each year, or the cover lapses.
2. Accident cover: PMSBY
PMSBY covers accidental death and disability for a very small annual premium, also auto-debited. Many domestic workers commute long distances, so accident cover is especially relevant. Enrol at the same bank as PMJJBY; both forms are short.
3. Hospital cover: Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY
PM-JAY provides cashless treatment of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year at empanelled hospitals for secondary and tertiary care. Eligibility is based on listed criteria, and the official PM-JAY page notes that urban categories include domestic workers, street vendors and construction workers. To check, use the “Am I eligible” facility on the PM-JAY website or call the national helpline 14555 with her Aadhaar or ration card. If she is eligible, help her get the Ayushman card made.
If she is not eligible, many states run their own health schemes. A low-cost individual health policy is another option; insurers offer a standard health product with uniform cover across companies, which is easier to compare.
4. Pension: PM-SYM and Atal Pension Yojana
For a worker in her twenties or thirties, a small monthly contribution now can secure an assured pension later. Under PM-SYM, unorganised workers aged 18–40 earning up to ₹15,000 a month contribute a small amount each month, the government matches it, and the worker gets ₹3,000 a month from age 60. Atal Pension Yojana offers fixed pension slabs and is open to savings account holders aged 18–40 who do not pay income tax. Both need regular contributions, so auto-debit is important.
5. e-Shram registration
Registering on the e-Shram portal gives an unorganised worker a Universal Account Number and makes it easier to reach welfare schemes, including the PM-SYM pension. Registration is free and can be done online with Aadhaar and a mobile number linked to it, or at a Common Service Centre.
Step-by-step: how an employer can help
- Make sure she has a savings account in her own name, linked to Aadhaar and a working mobile number. A zero-balance basic account is enough. See our Aadhaar hub for linking basics.
- Go with her to the branch, or use her bank app, to enrol in PMJJBY and PMSBY. Record a nominee.
- Check PM-JAY eligibility and, if eligible, get the Ayushman card made.
- Register her on e-Shram and, if she is 18–40, discuss PM-SYM or APY.
- Keep photocopies of the enrolment slips, and set a reminder for May each year to make sure the premium can be debited.
- Explain how to claim: the nominee approaches the bank with the death certificate and claim form.
What it costs: a worked example
Lakshmi is 34, works in three homes and earns about ₹12,000 a month. Her employer decides to cover the basics as a yearly benefit.
| Item | Yearly cost |
|---|---|
| PMJJBY premium | ₹436 |
| PMSBY premium | ₹20 |
| PM-JAY (if eligible) | ₹0 |
| Contribution towards her PM-SYM pension (example: employer gives ₹100 a month) | ₹1,200 |
| Total | about ₹1,656 |
For less than ₹140 a month, her family gets ₹2 lakh of life cover, accident cover, possible hospital cover and a start on a pension. If several households she works in share the cost, it is even smaller. Note that premiums you pay for domestic staff are a personal expense and are not deductible in your own tax return.
Facing a medical bill insurance does not cover? Compare offers from RBI-regulated lenders instead of informal moneylenders.
Beyond insurance: other money help
- Emergency fund: help her start a small recurring deposit for emergencies. Our simple savings calculator and emergency fund calculator show how small amounts grow.
- Avoid informal moneylenders and unknown apps: explain that loans should come only from RBI-regulated lenders; see why to borrow only from RBI-registered lenders.
- Digital safety: warn about UPI and QR code frauds; our guide to the QR code scam is a quick read.
- Written terms: agree wages, leave and any advances in writing, and pay through bank transfer so she builds a banking record that helps with future credit.
For a wider view of state-backed savings, pension and insurance options, see our government schemes hub and our insurance basics hub.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy insurance for my maid in my name?
Government schemes like PMJJBY and PMSBY are linked to the insured person’s own bank account, so they must be in her name. You can pay or reimburse the premium. Private health policies also need her to be the insured person.
Is my domestic worker eligible for Ayushman Bharat?
Eligibility depends on the scheme’s listed criteria; domestic workers are among the urban occupational categories. Check on the PM-JAY “Am I eligible” facility or call 14555 with her Aadhaar or ration card.
What documents are needed?
Usually an Aadhaar-linked savings account, a mobile number linked to Aadhaar and nominee details. For e-Shram, Aadhaar and the linked mobile number are the main requirements.
Can I claim tax deduction for premiums I pay for my maid?
No. Premiums paid for domestic staff are not deductible in your personal income tax return. Health insurance deductions cover only yourself, your family and your parents.
What if the premium is not debited in time?
The cover lapses for that year. Make sure the account has balance before the renewal date in May, and ask the bank about rejoining if it lapses.
Sources
- PIB: PMJJBY scheme summary (May 2025)
- PM Shram Yogi Maan-dhan
- e-Shram portal
- National Health Authority: PM-JAY
Disclosure: FundsTiger (Gatimaan Finance Advisors Pvt. Ltd.) is a loan marketplace and lending service provider for RBI-regulated lenders. Aparampaar Finance Pvt. Ltd. (Omozing), one of those lenders, is a related party of FundsTiger. This article is general information, not financial advice. Read your loan agreement and KFS before you decide.