Distress Relief Fund For The Differently Abled (Medical Treatment)

Description
The scheme “Distress Relief Fund for the Differently Abled Medical Treatment ” was launched by the Department of Social Justice, Government of Kerala. As per G.O. MS 4/95 SWD http://sjd.kerala.gov.in/DOCUMENTS/Order new/GOs/11544.pdf dated 24-01-1995, the Government of Kerala sanctioned the Distress Relief Fund for disabled persons. An amount of Rupees One crore has been deposited in Treasury as a corpus fund. The interest accrued from the fund is being utilized for giving financial assistance to disabled persons for the following purposes: 1. For medical treatment, including surgery. 2. To persons who become handicapped due to accidents. 3. For any other purpose which is not covered by the existing schemes for the handicapped.

Benefits
• Under the scheme, financial assistance of ₹5,000/- per person in a year will be given to the disabled person or who has become handicapped for their medical treatment, including surgery.

Eligibility Criteria
1. The applicant should be a native and resident of Kerala State.
2. The disabled person or who has become handicapped due to an accident is eligible to apply under the scheme for their medical treatment, including surgery.
3. Those differently-abled persons whose annual income does not exceed (₹20,000/- in Rural areas and ₹22,375/- in Urban areas) shall be eligible for financial assistance.
4. Physically handicapped persons shall include the following disabilities/categories:
5. a. Blind
6. b. Deaf and Dumb
7. c. Orthopedically Handicapped
8. d. Mentally Challenged
9. e. Persons in the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category having 40 % disability or more.

Required Documents
• Identity proof i.e. Aadhaar Card, Voter ID Card
• Mobile number
• Email id
• Passport size photo
• Doctor's certificate that treatment is necessary
• Copy of Income Certificate (Original)
• Bank account details- Copy of bank passbook
• Other documents, if any

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the “Distress Relief Fund for the Differently Abled (Medical Treatment)” Scheme?
A: Under the scheme, the Government of Kerala has sanctioned the Distress Relief Fund for disabled persons. An amount of Rupees One crore has been deposited in Treasury as a corpus fund and interest accrued from the fund is being utilized for giving financial assistance to disabled persons.

Q: Which department has launched this scheme?
A: Social Justice Department, Government of Kerala

Q: Who is eligible to get the benefits under the scheme?
A: The disabled person or who has become handicapped due to an accident is eligible to apply under the scheme for their medical treatment, including surgery.

Q: Is this scheme only for a resident of Kerala State?
A: Yes, The applicant should be a native and resident of Kerala State.

Q: Is there any criterion for annual family income?
A: Yes, the annual income of the applicant should not exceed ([?]20,000/- in Rural areas and [?]22,375/- in Urban areas).

Q: What is the benefit of the scheme?
A: Under the scheme, the maximum amount of financial assistance per person a year has been fixed at [?]5,000/- for medical treatment, including surgery.

Q: For what purpose will financial assistance be given to disabled persons?
A: The financial assistance shall be given to disabled persons for the purposes such as (a) For medical treatment, including surgery. (b) To persons who become handicapped due to accidents (c) For any other purpose which is not covered by the existing schemes for the handicapped.

Q: Which type of disabilities/categories of disabled persons shall be included under the scheme?
A: The disabled persons shall include the following disabilities/categories:
a. Blind
b. Deaf and Dumb
c. Orthopedically Handicapped
d. Mentally Challenged

Q: What is the criterion for disabled persons belonging to the BPL category?
A: Disabled persons in the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category having 40 % disability or more are eligible to apply under the scheme.

Q: How can an applicant apply under the scheme?
A: To avail of the benefits of the scheme, the applicant should visit the Official Portal- SUNEETHI- Online Service Application Portal. https://suneethi.sjd.kerala.gov.in