Distress Relief Fund For The Differently Abled (Medical Treatment)

Distress Relief Fund for the Differently Abled (Medical Treatment)

The “Distress Relief Fund for the Differently Abled (Medical Treatment)” is an initiative by the Department of Social Justice, Government of Kerala. This scheme aims to provide financial aid to differently-abled individuals for their medical needs, ensuring that they receive the necessary support for medical treatments and surgeries.

Overview of the Scheme

Initiated under G.O.(MS) 4/95 SWD on January 24, 1995, the Government of Kerala established the Distress Relief Fund specifically for individuals with disabilities. A total of ₹1 crore has been allocated as a corpus fund, from which the interest generated is utilized to assist disabled persons financially for various purposes, including:

• Medical treatment, including necessary surgeries.
• Support for individuals who have become handicapped due to accidents.
• Any other assistance not covered by existing schemes for the handicapped.

Financial Assistance

Under this scheme, eligible applicants can receive financial support of up to ₹5,000 per annum for medical treatment, which encompasses surgeries as required.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for assistance under this scheme, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• The applicant must be a resident of Kerala.
• Individuals who are disabled or have become handicapped due to an accident can apply.
• Annual income should not exceed ₹20,000 for residents in rural areas and ₹22,375 for urban residents.
• Categories of physical disabilities recognized under this scheme include:
• Blindness
• Deaf and Dumb
• Orthopedic disabilities
• Mental challenges
• Individuals in the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category with a 40% or greater disability.

Application Process

Applicants can choose to apply either online or offline to avail of the benefits offered by this scheme.

Online Application Method

To apply online, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Visit the SUNEETHI Online Service Application Portal.
• Step 2: Click on “One time Registration” displayed on the homepage.
• Step 3: Provide necessary details such as Name, Email ID, and Mobile Number, then click ‘Register’.
• Step 4: Enter the verification code sent to your mobile and click ‘Verify’.
• Step 5: A profile creation form will appear. Fill in all required information and click ‘Register’.
• Login/Application Process:
• Step 1: After successful registration, revisit the SUNEETHI portal and select “Citizen Login”.
• Step 2: Use your Mobile Number as the username and input your password to sign in.
• Step 3: Update personal details, contact information, identity cards, and bank details by clicking the ‘Edit’ button.
• Step 4: Once the profile is updated, select the scheme from the options displayed on the left and click “Apply Now”.
• Step 5: Complete the application form with all mandatory details and click ‘Submit’.

Offline Application Method

For those preferring to apply offline, the following steps should be taken:

• Step 1: Visit the official website of the Social Justice Department, Government of Kerala, to download the application form.
• Step 2: Carefully fill in the downloaded application form.
• Step 3: Submit the completed application form along with the necessary documents to the District Social Justice Officer (DSJO) in your locality.
• Step 4: The DSJO will review the applications and forward them to the Secretary of the Social Justice Department with appropriate recommendations after verifying the eligibility of each applicant.

Official Source

For more details, please visit myScheme.gov.in.