How to Apply for the CM Relief Fund for Dialysis Patients

What Is the CM Relief Fund and How Does It Help Dialysis Patients?

The Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) is a state-level programme in which individual state governments across India provide direct financial assistance to dialysis patients and other medically critical cases. Each state administers its own fund through the Revenue Department, with separate portals, forms, and income rules.

Here is why this fund matters specifically for kidney patients:

• Every year, about 2.2 lakh new ESRD patients are added in India, with demand for 3.4 crore dialysis sessions annually.
• Each session costs approximately ₹2,000, which means annual costs can reach ₹3-4 lakhs per patient ^[1].
• CMRF covers session costs, hospitalisation charges, and related medicines for eligible individuals.
• The fund offers two routes: a Letter of Credit (LOC) issued before treatment, or reimbursement after out-of-pocket payment.
• There is no single national CMRF; each state runs its own separate fund.
• You must apply in your home state, not the state where treatment takes place.

Before you fill a single form, check whether you meet your state’s eligibility criteria; a rejected application only causes delay.

CM Relief Fund Eligibility: Who Can Apply for Dialysis Financial Assistance?

CMRF is designed for the most financially vulnerable dialysis patients in India. Meeting all criteria below is essential before the application process.

Income and Poverty Status

The family income must fall below the state-prescribed threshold. West Bengal caps annual family income at ₹1,20,000, while Odisha caps it at ₹1,00,000. An original income certificate from a revenue officer is the only accepted proof; photocopies are not valid.

Residency Requirement

The fund is open only to permanent residents of the state where you apply. A voter ID, utility bill, or Aadhaar card with a current local address serves as proof of domicile.

Hospital Eligibility

The dialysis must take place at a government, charitable, or state-empanelled hospital. Patients at non-empanelled hospitals may still be considered if the facility holds national repute. Confirm your hospital’s status with the social welfare desk before you start the paperwork.

Who Does Not Qualify

You must declare that neither you nor your dependents are Central or State Government employees, and that no other government scheme or insurance covers this treatment. ESI beneficiaries, CGHS-covered individuals, those above the income ceiling, and medico-legal cases are all excluded.

Applying for CMRF follows a broadly consistent process across states. Follow each step carefully to avoid delays or rejections.

How to Fill and Submit the CM Relief Fund Application Form

The CM Relief Fund application process differs slightly from state to state, but follows a broadly consistent structure.

Here is a step-by-step breakdown of the standard process, applicable across most states:

• Step 1 (Access the form): Visit your state’s official CMRF portal or collect a physical copy from the District Collector’s office or the hospital’s social welfare desk.
• Step 2 (Pick the right application type): Choose LOC if treatment has not yet started. Choose reimbursement if you have already paid for sessions.
• Step 3 (Fill in patient and treatment details): Include your full diagnosis (ESRD/chronic kidney disease Stage 5), the name of the treating hospital, the required number of sessions, and your Aadhaar-linked bank account number.
• Step 4 (Get hospital certification): Your nephrologist must sign and stamp the form with their NMC registration number. The Medical Superintendent must countersign with the official hospital seal.
• Step 5 (Submit on time): Submit online through the state portal or offline at your MLA’s office or District Collector’s office. Submission must happen during treatment or within one month of hospital discharge.
• Step 6 (Note your Application Number): Your file moves through a caseworker, section officer, and joint secretary before DBT credit. The Application Number is the only way to track progress.

Also read: Is Home Dialysis Right for You? Comparing Costs and Comfort.

CM Relief Fund Application Form: Documents You Must Submit

Getting your documents right is the single most important factor in ensuring your CMRF application is processed without delay. Below is a structured breakdown of the four document categories you must prepare.

Identity and Address Documents

These confirm your identity and permanent place of residence. Carry both originals and self-attested photocopies; a single missing document results in outright rejection.

• Aadhaar Card of both the patient and the applicant.
• BPL Ration Card or White Ration Card.
• Voter ID or a recent utility bill if your Aadhaar address is outdated.
• One recent passport-size photograph of the applicant.

Income Proof Documents

These confirm that your household falls within the state’s financial threshold. Revenue-officer-issued certificates are the only accepted format.

• Original e-Income Certificate from the Tahsildar or Revenue Inspector.
• RSBY / BSKY / BKKY enrolment card, or an official denial letter if not enrolled.
• A signed declaration that no ESI, CGHS, or employer insurance covers your treatment.

Medical and Hospital Documents

These directly prove medical need and treatment cost. Every document must carry the treating doctor’s original signature and hospital stamp.

• Nephrologist’s certificate with your ESRD diagnosis and prescribed dialysis frequency.
• Hospital Registration Certificate confirming government or empanelled status.
• Detailed cost estimation on hospital letterhead, required for LOC applications only.
• Original discharge summary with the treating doctor’s signature, plus original final bills for reimbursement.

Bank and Financial Documents

These allow the state to credit approved funds directly to your account through DBT. An approval without an Aadhaar-linked account means the money cannot be credited to you.

• First page of your bank passbook showing account number, IFSC code, and account holder name.
• Confirm your account is Aadhaar-linked before submission.
• For deceased patient cases, a Death Certificate and a Family Member Certificate from a competent local authority.

Also read: How to Get Free Dialysis via ABHA at Eskag Sanjeevani.

CM Relief Fund Application Status Check and Other Financial Assistance for Dialysis Patients

After submission, most states offer online status checks; all you need is your Application Number and registered mobile number.

• Andhra Pradesh: apcmrf.ap.gov.in/Home/ApplicationStatus.
• West Bengal: cmrf.wb.gov.in, log in with your registered credentials.
• Odisha: cmrfodisha.gov.in, track via your Application ID.
• Assam: cm.assam.gov.in/cmrf-status-check, use Application ID or mobile number.
• For states without an online tracker, call your District Collector’s office with your Application Number.

CMRF is a strong starting point, but three other central government schemes run independently and can cover what CMRF does not:

• PMNDP: This programme offers free dialysis to BPL patients at district hospitals across all 36 states and Union Territories ^[2]. Register with your ABHA ID at pmndp.mohfw.gov.in.
• Ayushman Bharat: PMJAY: PM-JAY covers haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis among 1,961 listed procedures, with cashless access at over 30,000 hospitals nationwide ^[3]. Since September 2024, citizens aged 70 and above have received an additional annual top-up of ₹5 lakh, regardless of income ^[4].
• Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN): This central fund offers a one-time grant of up to ₹15 lakhs for BPL patients with life-threatening conditions at Central Government hospitals. Submit the application through the hospital’s Medical Superintendent.

Here is a tabular representation for a comprehensive understanding of the application: