As per G.O(MS) 4/95 SWD, dated: 24-01-1995, Govt. sanctioned the Distress Relief Fund for the disabled persons. An amount of Rupees One crore has been deposited in Treasury as corpus fund. The interest accrued from the fund is being utilized for giving financial assistance for disabled persons for the following purposes:

• For medical treatment, including surgery.

• To persons who become handicapped due to accidents.

• For any other purpose which are not covered by the existing schemes for the handicapped.

The maximum amount of financial assistance per person a year has been fixed at Rs.5,000.

Those handicapped persons whose annual income does not exceed (Rs 20,000/- in Rural areas and Rs. 22,375/- in Urban area) shall be eligible for financial assistance. Physically handicapped persons shall include the following categories:-

a. Blind

b. Deaf and Dumb

c. Orthopaedically Handicapped

d. Mentally Challenged

e. Persons in BPL category having 40 % disability or more

Applications for financial assistance can be submitted to the concerned District Social Justice Officer (DSJO). The DSJO shall forward the applications to the Secretary to Govt.- Social Justice Department in the Secretariat with recommendations duly certifying the eligibility after personal enquiry in the individual cases with copy to the Director of Social Justice.