This article examines how, years after the Covid-19 crisis, many children in India who lost one or both parents continue to struggle due to gaps in government support systems. Drawing on interviews and data, it shows that although central and state schemes promised financial aid, education support, and long-term assistance, implementation has been inconsistent—many eligible children receive no aid, face long delays, or lose support once they turn 18. The article highlights how bureaucratic barriers, lack of documentation, and inadequate coverage leave families vulnerable, forcing children to drop out of school, work early, or compromise their futures, with particularly harsh impacts on girls and those from poorer households.