The Financial Assistance to Disabled for Self Employment scheme, implemented by the Department of Social Justice & Special Assistance, Government of Maharashtra, is designed to empower persons with disabilities by facilitating their self-employment. This scheme supports eligible individuals in launching small-scale businesses, agro-based projects, or other income-generating activities, providing them with the necessary financial resources to become self-reliant. It is a 100% state-funded initiative available exclusively to permanent residents of Maharashtra.
Benefits
- Total Financial Assistance: Up to ₹1,50,000.
- Loan Support: 80% of the project cost is financed through a Nationalized Bank.
- Subsidy: A 20% subsidy of up to ₹30,000 is provided by the department.
- Empowerment: Promotes self-employment among persons with disabilities and supports small-scale business initiatives and agro-based projects.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the scheme, applicants must:
- Citizenship & Residency: Be a citizen of India and a permanent resident of Maharashtra.
- Disability Requirement: Possess a disability (e.g., visually handicapped, low vision, hearing impaired, orthopedically handicapped, etc.) with a minimum of 40% disability, as certified by the appropriate authority.
- Age Group: Be within the age group of 18 to 50 years.
- Income Criteria: Have an annual income of less than ₹1,00,000.
- Employment Status: Be unemployed and seeking to engage in self-employment or start a small business/agro-based project.
Application Process
Offline Application
- Visit the District Social Welfare Office:
- Request a hard copy of the application form for the scheme from the concerned authority.
- Complete the Application Form:
- Fill in all mandatory fields, affix a passport-sized photograph (signed across), and attach all the self-attested required documents.
- Submission:
- Submit the completed and signed application form along with the documents to the Assistant Commissioner at the District Social Welfare Office.
- Receipt:
- Obtain an acknowledgment or receipt confirming the successful submission of your application.
Documents Required
- Aadhaar Card
- Proof of Age: (Birth Certificate, or Marksheet of Class 10th/12th, etc.)
- Passport-Sized Photographs: Two copies (signed across)
- Residential Certificate / Domicile Certificate of Maharashtra
- Disability Certificate
- Income Certificate
- Bank Account Details: Including bank name, branch, address, IFSC, etc.
- Any Other Document: As required by the District Social Welfare Office
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What percentage of the loan is provided by the Nationalized Bank?
A1: 80% of the total financial assistance is provided as a loan by the Nationalized Bank.
Q2: What percentage of the subsidy will be provided by the Department?
A2: A subsidy of 20% of the project cost, up to a maximum of ₹30,000, is provided by the Department.
Q3: What are the objectives of this scheme?
A3: The scheme aims to facilitate self-employment among disabled persons by providing financial assistance for starting small-scale businesses, agro-based projects, or other income-generating activities.
Q4: For what purposes can the financial assistance be utilized?
A4: The assistance can be used for self-employment ventures, including small-scale business activities and agro-based projects.
Q5: What is the maximum amount of financial assistance available?
A5: The maximum assistance available under the scheme is ₹1,50,000.
Q6: Who are the target beneficiaries of this scheme?
A6: The scheme targets unemployed persons with disabilities who are permanent residents of Maharashtra and have an annual income of less than ₹1,00,000.
Q7: Are there any eligibility criteria regarding the percentage of disability?
A7: Yes, applicants must have a disability of 40% or above as certified by the appropriate authority.
Q8: Are orthopedically handicapped persons covered under this scheme?
A8: Yes, persons with orthopedic disabilities are included in the eligible categories.
Q9: Is a Residential Certificate or Domicile Certificate of Maharashtra mandatory?
A9: Yes, a proof of residency, such as a Residential or Domicile Certificate, is mandatory.
Q10: Can I reapply if I am already availing benefits from this scheme?
A10: Generally, the scheme is intended for new applicants; reapplication details would be specified in the scheme guidelines.
Q11: What is the full form of SJSA?
A11: SJSA stands for the Department of Social Justice & Special Assistance.
Q12: Is this scheme state funded or centrally funded?
A12: This is a 100% state-funded scheme implemented by the Government of Maharashtra.
Q13: Is there any application fee?
A13: No, there is no application fee for this scheme.
Q14: Is there any compensation for delay in disbursal of benefits?
A14: Any compensation for delays would be addressed in the scheme guidelines; please refer to them for detailed information.
Q15: How do I know if a field in the application form is mandatory?
A15: Mandatory fields are marked clearly, typically with a red asterisk.
Q16: Can applicants from neighboring states (e.g., Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana) apply?
A16: No, the scheme is only open to permanent residents of Maharashtra.
Q17: Where can I find the official website of the Department of Social Justice & Special Assistance?
A17: The official website details are provided in the scheme guidelines and related communications from the Department.
Q18: Where can I find the link to the scheme guidelines?
A18: The scheme guidelines are available on the official website of the Department of Social Justice & Special Assistance.
Q19: What is the address of the Department of Social Justice & Special Assistance, Government of Maharashtra?
A19: The address is available in the scheme guidelines or can be obtained from the District Social Welfare Offices.
Q20: Where can I find the addresses of the District Social Welfare Offices?
A20: Contact details for District Social Welfare Offices are provided in the scheme guidelines and on the official website.
Q21: Where can I post my grievances related to this scheme?
A21: Grievances can be submitted through the designated channels provided in the scheme guidelines.
Q22: Is there an income-related criterion for this scheme?
A22: Yes, the applicant’s annual income must be less than ₹1,00,000.
Q23: Is the application form available online?
A23: The application form is primarily available in hard copy from the District Social Welfare Offices.