The “Hearing Aid Grant” is a welfare scheme initiated by the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund under the Department of Sainik Welfare, Puducherry. This scheme provides financial assistance of ₹8,000 for the purchase of a hearing aid to eligible ex-servicemen or widows of ex-servicemen who are registered with the Department. The assistance is credited directly to the beneficiary’s bank account via RTGS/NEFT. Note that members of the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) are not eligible.
Benefits
- Financial Assistance:
Eligible ex-servicemen or their widows receive a one-time grant of ₹8,000 for the purchase of a hearing aid. - Disbursement Method:
The amount is directly transferred to the beneficiary’s bank account through RTGS/NEFT.
Eligibility
- The applicant must be an ex-serviceman or a widow of an ex-serviceman.
- The applicant must be registered with the Department of Sainik Welfare, Puducherry.
- The applicant must not be a member of the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS).
Exclusions:
The scheme does not apply to ex-servicemen, their living spouses, or widows who are re-employed as regular employees in Government/Public Sector Undertakings, Private Organizations, or are self-employed IT assessors.
Application Process
Offline
- Obtain Application Form:
- The interested applicant should either print the prescribed application format available on the Official Website of the Department of Sainik Welfare or visit the Rajya Sainik Board at Jawan Bhawan, Department of Sainik Welfare, Government of Puducherry, 261, Lawspet Main Road, Pakkamudianpet, Puducherry Road, Lawspet, Puducherry – 605013, and request a hard copy.
- Complete the Form:
- Fill in all mandatory fields on the form.
- Paste a passport-sized photograph (signed across, if required).
- Attach copies of all required documents (self-attested if necessary).
- Submit the Form:
- Submit the duly filled and signed application form along with the documents to the concerned authority at the Rajya Sainik Board.
- Receipt:
- Obtain a receipt or acknowledgment from the authority. Ensure the receipt includes the date, time of submission, and a unique identification number (if applicable).
Documents Required
- Identity Card of the Ex-Serviceman or Widow of Ex-Serviceman.
- Discharge Certificate of the Ex-Serviceman.
- Original Doctor’s Prescription for the hearing aid.
- Original Purchase Bill (to be produced at the time of claim).
- Declaration by the Ex-Serviceman or Widow of Ex-Serviceman.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are there any specific provisions for persons with disabilities under this scheme?
The scheme is specifically targeted at ex-servicemen and their widows and does not have separate provisions for other categories of disabilities. - Is there an application deadline for this scheme?
The guidelines do not specify a fixed deadline; applicants should refer to the official notification for any time-bound requirements. - Do I need to pay a fee to apply for this scheme?
No, there is no fee associated with the application process. - How can an applicant track the status of their application after submission?
Tracking details are provided in the official guidelines. Applicants are advised to contact the Rajya Sainik Board if there are any queries. - What entities are included in the definition of “Armed Forces of the Union”?
The scheme specifically covers ex-servicemen who have served in the Armed Forces of the Union. - How are recruits distinguished from ex-servicemen?
Recruits are current servicemen, whereas ex-servicemen are those who have been released from service. - Are there any additional categories covered within the definition of ex-servicemen?
The scheme applies to ex-servicemen and their widows only, as per the eligibility criteria. - How are individuals released on or after July 1, 1987, defined as ex-servicemen?
For precise definitions, refer to the official guidelines issued by the Department of Sainik Welfare. - What conditions apply to individuals released between July 1, 1979, and July 1, 1987?
Specific conditions, if any, are detailed in the official guidelines. - What is the eligibility criterion for individuals released from the Armed Forces before July 1, 1968?
Please refer to the official definitions in the guidelines. - Are Short Service/Emergency Commissioned Officers eligible to the status of ex-servicemen?
Eligibility for such categories is defined in the official guidelines. Applicants should consult the Department for detailed clarification.