Launched by the Social Welfare and Nutritious Meal Programme Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, the Destitute Differently Abled Pension Scheme provides crucial financial and in-kind support to destitute differently-abled persons. Designed to ensure a basic level of dignity and nutritional security, the scheme offers a monthly pension along with additional benefits such as free clothing during festive occasions and rice through Anganwadi Centres.
Benefits
- Monthly Pension: A financial benefit of ₹1,000 per month to help meet basic needs.
- Free Clothing:
- Female Pensioners: One free saree during Pongal/Deepavali.
- Male Pensioners: One free dhoti during Pongal/Deepavali.
- Nutritional Support:
- Free Rice:
- 2kg per month if the beneficiary is enrolled in the nutritious meal program.
- 4kg per month if not enrolled.
- Free Rice:
Eligibility
To qualify for the scheme, the applicant must meet all the following criteria:
- Disability Requirement: Must be a hearing and speech-impaired person with a disability of 60% or above.
- Age Criterion: The applicant must be 45 years or above.
- Economic Status:
- Must have no source of income or means of subsistence.
- Must not possess property valued at more than ₹5,000.
- Social Criteria:
- Must not be a habitual beggar.
- Must not be supported by a son or grandson aged 20 years or above.
Application Process (Offline)
- Obtain Application Form:
- Visit the Special Tahsildar or Village Administrative Officer during office hours and request a hard copy of the prescribed application form. Alternatively, an applicant may also apply using a white paper.
- Complete the Form:
- Fill in all the mandatory fields and attach self-attested copies of all required documents.
- Submit the Application:
- Submit the duly filled and signed form along with the documents to the Special Tahsildar or Village Administrative Officer.
- Obtain Receipt:
- Request a receipt or acknowledgment from the authority, ensuring it contains the date, time, and a unique identification number (if applicable).
Documents Required
- Aadhaar Card
- Proof of Age
- Bank Passbook
- Disability Certificate
- Any Other Document: As required by the officer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Who are the beneficiaries of this pension scheme?
A1: The scheme benefits destitute differently-abled persons with a disability of 60% or above, specifically those who are hearing and speech impaired, have no regular income, and meet the other eligibility criteria.
Q2: How much financial assistance is provided under this scheme?
A2: Beneficiaries receive a monthly pension of ₹1,000 along with free clothing and rice benefits.
Q3: What are the age criteria for eligibility in this scheme?
A3: Applicants must be 45 years or above.
Q4: Can someone with any source of income apply for this scheme?
A4: No, the scheme is designed for those who do not have any source of income or means of subsistence.
Q5: Is a habitual beggar eligible for this scheme?
A5: No, habitual beggars are excluded from the scheme.
Q6: What provision is there for age limit relaxation?
A6: The scheme strictly requires beneficiaries to be 45 years or older; any relaxation in this criterion would be subject to specific government notifications.
Q7: How can one apply for this pension scheme?
A7: Applications must be submitted offline by obtaining and completing the prescribed application form from the Special Tahsildar or Village Administrative Officer.
Q8: What is the time limit for processing the application?
A8: The guidelines do not specify an exact time limit; applicants are advised to follow up with the respective officer for status updates.
Q9: Who should be contacted for further information regarding the scheme?
A9: Interested applicants can contact the Special Tahsildar or the Village Administrative Officer in their area for more details.
Q10: To whom should grievances be reported if there are any issues?
A10: Grievances should be reported to the respective Special Tahsildar or Village Administrative Officer handling the scheme applications.
Q11: Can the pension amount be increased in the future?
A11: Any changes to the pension amount would be determined by government policy updates and official notifications.