The Financial Assistance For Aids And Appliances For Disabled Persons scheme is an initiative by the Department of Social Justice & Special Assistance, Government of Maharashtra. This scheme is designed to help Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) purchase essential aids and appliances according to their specific needs and type of disability. Fully funded by the Government of Maharashtra, the scheme targets permanent residents of Maharashtra and provides support based on the applicant’s monthly income and percentage of disability.
Benefits
- Tailored Assistance:
- Hearing Impaired: Support for hearing aids.
- Orthopedically Impaired: Subsidies for crutches, tricycles, calipers, or wheelchairs.
- Visually Impaired: Support for educational aids like tape recorders and blank cassettes, up to ₹3,000.
- Income-Based Subsidy:
- 100% Financial Assistance: For applicants with a monthly income less than ₹1,500.
- 50% Financial Assistance: For applicants with a monthly income between ₹1,500 and ₹2,000.
- Completely Funded:
- The scheme is 100% funded by the Government of Maharashtra, ensuring no cost burden on the beneficiaries.
Eligibility
- Citizenship & Residency:
- The applicant must be a citizen of India and a permanent resident of Maharashtra.
- Disability Requirement:
- The applicant must be a Person with Disability (such as visually handicapped, low vision, hearing impaired, orthopedically handicapped, etc.).
- Disability Percentage:
- The disability must be 40% or above.
- Income Criteria:
- For 100% financial assistance, the applicant’s monthly income should be less than ₹1,500.
- For 50% financial assistance, the applicant’s monthly income should be between ₹1,500 and ₹2,000.
Application Process
Offline Application
- Obtain the Application Form:
- Visit the District Social Welfare Office and request a hard copy of the prescribed application form.
- Fill Out the Form:
- Complete all mandatory fields in the application form.
- Affix a passport-sized photograph (signed across, if required).
- Attach self-attested copies of all mandatory documents.
- Submit the Form:
- Submit the filled and signed application form along with the required documents to the Assistant Commissioner at the District Social Welfare Office.
- Obtain Acknowledgment:
- Collect a receipt or acknowledgment from the office, which should include details such as the submission date, time, and a unique identification number if applicable.
Documents Required
- Identity Proof:
- Aadhaar Card.
- Proof of Age:
- Birth Certificate or Marksheet of Class 10th/12th.
- Photographs:
- Two passport-sized photographs (signed across).
- Residency Proof:
- Residential Certificate or Domicile Certificate of Maharashtra.
- Disability Certificate:
- Valid disability certificate.
- Bank Details:
- Documented details such as bank name, branch, address, IFSC code, etc.
- Additional Documents:
- Any other document as required by the District Social Welfare Office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What are the objectives of this scheme?
A1: The scheme aims to provide financial assistance to PwDs for purchasing essential aids and appliances, thereby improving their quality of life and enhancing independence.
Q2: For what purposes can the financial assistance be utilized?
A2: The assistance can be used to purchase aids and appliances specific to the disability type—such as hearing aids, crutches, tricycles, calipers, wheelchairs, and educational aids for visually impaired individuals.
Q3: What aids/appliances are provided to the orthopedically handicapped?
A3: Orthopedically handicapped individuals can receive support for purchasing crutches, tricycles, calipers, and wheelchairs.
Q4: What aids/appliances are provided to the visually handicapped?
A4: Visually handicapped persons are eligible for financial assistance for purchasing tape recorders and blank cassettes for educational purposes, up to ₹3,000.
Q5: What aids/appliances are provided to the hearing handicapped?
A5: Hearing impaired individuals can receive financial assistance for the purchase of hearing aids.
Q6: Who are the target beneficiaries of this scheme?
A6: The scheme is targeted at Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) who have a disability percentage of 40% or above and are permanent residents of Maharashtra.
Q7: Are there any income-related criteria for this scheme?
A7: Yes, the level of financial assistance depends on the monthly income of the applicant—100% assistance for incomes below ₹1,500 and 50% assistance for incomes between ₹1,500 and ₹2,000.
Q8: Is the Residential/Domicile Certificate of Maharashtra a mandatory document?
A8: Yes, the Residential or Domicile Certificate is a mandatory document for confirming eligibility.
Q9: Can I reapply to this scheme if I am already availing benefits?
A9: Generally, reapplication is not permitted if you are already receiving benefits under this scheme.
Q10: What is the full form of SJSA?
A10: SJSA stands for the Department of Social Justice & Special Assistance.
Q11: Is there any application fee for this scheme?
A11: No, there is no application fee for this scheme.
Q12: Is there any compensation for delay in the disbursal of benefits?
A12: Please refer to the official guidelines for details on compensation for any delay in benefit disbursal.
Q13: How do I know if a field in the application form is mandatory?
A13: Mandatory fields are typically marked with an asterisk () in the application form.*
Q14: Can applicants from neighboring states like Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, etc., apply for this scheme?
A14: No, only permanent residents of Maharashtra are eligible to apply.
Q15: Where can I find the URL to the website of the Department of Social Justice & Special Assistance?
A15: The official website URL is available on the Government of Maharashtra’s official portal and in the scheme guidelines.
Q16: Where can I find the link to the scheme guidelines?
A16: The scheme guidelines are available on the official website of the Department of Social Justice & Special Assistance, Government of Maharashtra.
Q17: What is the address of the Department of Social Justice & Special Assistance, Government of Maharashtra?
A17: Please refer to the official website or contact the department for the address details.
Q18: Where can I find the addresses of the District Social Welfare Offices?
A18: The addresses of the District Social Welfare Offices can be found on the official website of the Government of Maharashtra or through the respective district portals.
Q19: Where can I post my grievances related to this scheme?
A19: Grievances can be submitted through the grievance redressal mechanism specified in the scheme guidelines on the official website.