Scheme for Persons with Benchmark Disability Requiring High Support

Description
The scheme "Scheme for Persons with Benchmark Disability Requiring High Support" was launched by the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Government of Goa. The scheme aims to promote economic self-reliance among persons with benchmark disabilities requiring high support by granting suitable financial assistance and ensuring proper utilization for their independent living and well-being. The scheme provides financial assistance of ₹40,000/- Rupees forty thousand only as a one-time payment for purchasing assistive technologies, aids/appliances, personal care assistance services, or educational/vocational training support. The scheme is implemented by the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. The applications for this scheme are accepted by submitting them to the Director of the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities in the prescribed format Annexure-A along with the required documents.

Benefits
• Financial Assistance (one-time payment) of ₹40,000/- for the following purposes:
• Assistive technologies and required aids/appliances.
• Personal care assistance services.
• Educational or vocational training support.
• The scheme can be availed once every five years, subject to reassessment of eligibility.
• Funds will be recovered if they are found to be misused or used for purposes other than those specified in the scheme.
• Beneficiaries may be required to participate in periodic audits by providing necessary documentation.
• In cases of misuse or non-compliance, the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities may disqualify the beneficiary from future assistance under the scheme.

Eligibility Criteria
1. - The applicant must satisfy the following conditions to apply for financial assistance under this scheme.
2. - The applicant must be a bona fide resident of the State of Goa by birth, by marriage, or through continuous domicile of at least fifteen years.
3. - The applicant must be a person with a benchmark disability requiring high support.
4. - The applicant must possess a certificate issued by the Medical Board notified by the State Government under Section 38 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
5. - The applicant must belong to the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category as per the Government of India or the State Government’s notified criteria.
6. - The applicant must not be receiving similar financial assistance from other Government or Non-Government sources for the same purpose.
7. - The applicant must submit a self-declaration confirming that they are not receiving similar assistance from other sources.
8. ***Relaxation***
9. Exceptions to the residence requirement may be allowed for certain special cases (e.g., persons married into Goa).
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Application Process
Step 1: Step 1: The interested applicant should take a printout of the prescribed format (Annexure-A) of the application form.
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Step 1: The interested applicant should take a printout of the prescribed format (Annexure-A) of the application form.

Step 2: Step 2: In the application form, fill in all the mandatory fields, paste the passport-sized photograph (signed across, if required), and attach copies of all the mandatory documents (self-attest, if required).
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Step 2: In the application form, fill in all the mandatory fields, paste the passport-sized photograph (signed across, if required), and attach copies of all the mandatory documents (self-attest, if required).

Step 3: Step 3: Submit the duly filled and signed application form along with the documents to - The Director of the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Building 'B', New Market Complex, 3rd Floor, Porvorim, Goa - 403 501.
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The grant of financial assistance shall be sanctioned by the Director, Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. The sanctioned amount is released as a one-time payment.
The beneficiary must submit proof of utilization, such as receipts or invoices, within ninety days from the date of receiving the financial assistance.

Required Documents
• Certificate of Benchmark Disability Requiring High Support Needs Issued By A Competent Authority.
• Unique Disability Identity Card.
• Economically Weaker Section Certificate Of The Family Issued By A Competent Authority.
• Residence Certificate Issued By The Mamlatdar Of The Concerned Taluka.
• Self-Declaration Stating That The Financial Assistance Will Be Utilized Exclusively For The Approved Purposes.
• Bank Passbook Copy.
• Consent To Provide Proof Of Fund Utilization Within Ninety Days.
• Proof of Utilization, Such As Receipts Or Invoices (Must be submitted within ninety days of receiving the financial assistance).
• Necessary Documentation (May be required for periodic audits).

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the maximum quantum of financial assistance that will be granted to an eligible applicant identified as a person with benchmark disability requiring high support?
A: Eligible persons with benchmark disabilities requiring high support will be granted a one-time financial assistance payment of ₹40,000/- (Rupees forty thousand only).
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Q: To qualify as an applicant for the scheme, what is the mandatory continuous domicile period required for a person who is not a resident of the State of Goa by birth or marriage?
A: The applicant must be a bona fide resident of the State of Goa, which can be established through continuous domicile within the state for a period of at least 15 years.
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Q: If I am an applicant whose spouse is married into Goa, are there specific rules or exceptions that allow me to meet the residency requirement of the State?
A: Exceptions to the mandatory continuous domicile of at least 15 years may be allowed for certain special cases, such as persons who are married into the State of Goa.
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Q: What is the precise timeframe within which all beneficiaries must submit the necessary documentation proving that they successfully utilized the financial assistance received?
A: Proof of utilization, which includes documentation such as receipts or invoices, must be submitted to the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities within 90 days of receiving the financial assistance.
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Q: If the funds sanctioned under the scheme are later discovered to have been used improperly or for non-specified purposes, what penalty measures will be imposed on the beneficiary?
A: If the funds are found to be misused or utilized for purposes other than those explicitly specified in the scheme guidelines, the sanctioned financial assistance will be recovered.
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Q: Besides utilizing the funds for assistive technologies, is it possible to use the financial support to enroll in educational or vocational training programs?
A: Yes, the sanctioned amount can be utilized exclusively to support enrollment in educational or vocational training support programs.
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Q: What specific document must I include with my application to confirm that I am not receiving similar financial benefits for the same purpose from any other source?
A: The applicant must submit a self-declaration confirming that they are not receiving similar assistance from other sources and that the funds will be utilized exclusively for the approved purposes.
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Q: What specific document must I provide to confirm that I am a person with benchmark disability requiring high support needs?
A: You must possess a certificate of benchmark disability requiring high support, issued by the Medical Board notified by the State Government under Section 38 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
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Q: Is there a mandatory requirement for applicants regarding their economic status that must be fulfilled in order to qualify for this particular scheme?
A: Yes, the applicant must compulsorily belong to the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category, adhering to the criteria notified by the Government of India or the State Government.
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Q: If I am already receiving comparable financial support from a different governmental or non-governmental source for the same purpose, am I still eligible to apply for this assistance?
A: The applicant must confirm they are not receiving similar financial assistance from any Government or Non-Government source specifically for the approved purposes listed in this scheme.
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Q: How often may a person who meets all the requirements submit a new application to receive financial support under the provisions of this scheme?
A: This specific financial assistance scheme can only be availed once every five years, and eligibility for re-application will be subject to a thorough reassessment.
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Q: Am I allowed to use the financial assistance provided through this scheme solely for purchasing essential assistive technologies and any required aids or appliances?
A: Yes, the sanctioned funds must be utilized exclusively for securing assistive technologies and obtaining the necessary aids or appliances required due to the benchmark disability.
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Q: Is it permissible to use the financial grant provided exclusively to pay for necessary personal care assistance services required due to my high support needs?
A: Yes, one of the three explicitly approved purposes for utilizing the financial assistance is covering the cost of personal care assistance services.
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Q: In what format will the financial assistance amount be distributed to the beneficiary once the application is officially sanctioned by the Department?
A: The amount of financial assistance sanctioned, which is ₹40,000/- (Rupees forty thousand only), shall be released to the beneficiary as a single, one-time payment.
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