Kerala government is running Distress Relief Fund for Differently Abled (Medical Treatment) through Social Justice Department to help disabled residents pay for medical treatment and surgery costs. Under this scheme, eligible persons get ₹5,000 per year as cash support for treatment expenses.
Applications are open online through SUNEETHI portal and also offline at District Social Justice Officer (DSJO) office in each district. Any Kerala native with a disability, or a person who became handicapped after an accident, can apply if their yearly family income stays below the fixed limits mentioned in this article.
About Distress Relief Fund for Differently Abled Scheme
Distress Relief Fund for Differently Abled (Medical Treatment) was set up by Government of Kerala way back in 1995. It was launched through G.O.(MS) 4/95 SWD dated 24 January 1995. Government kept a corpus fund of ₹1 crore in the state treasury. Interest earned from this corpus is used every year to pay the medical support amount to eligible disabled persons across Kerala.
Support under this fund covers three main needs. First, medical treatment and surgery costs. Second, help for people who became handicapped due to accidents. Third, any other medical purpose that is not already covered by another Kerala government scheme for the differently abled. So the fund fills the gap that other disability schemes leave.
Financial Benefit Amount
Under this scheme, an eligible disabled person can get up to ₹5,000 in a single year for medical treatment or surgery. This is a cash benefit paid directly to the bank account of the person after approval by District Social Justice Officer. Amount stays fixed at ₹5,000 per person per year and has not been revised so far.
Who Can Apply
To apply for this financial support, a person must meet these basic conditions. Applicant should be a native and resident of Kerala. Applicant must be a person with a disability or someone who became handicapped due to an accident and now needs medical treatment or surgery. Family income of the applicant must stay within the yearly limit fixed by the department.
Yearly family income limits are as below:
| Location | Yearly Family Income Limit |
|---|---|
| Rural Areas | ₹20,000 |
| Urban Areas | ₹22,375 |
Following types of disabled persons are covered under this scheme:
- Blind persons and persons with low vision
- Deaf and Dumb (speech and hearing impaired) persons
- Orthopedically Handicapped persons
- Mentally Challenged persons
- BPL (Below Poverty Line) families with 40 percent or more disability
Kerala Distress Relief Fund Scheme Highlights
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Distress Relief Fund for Differently Abled (Medical Treatment) |
| Launched By | Government of Kerala, Social Justice Department |
| Launch Order | G.O.(MS) 4/95 SWD dated 24 January 1995 |
| State | Kerala |
| Eligible People | Disabled residents of Kerala |
| Cash Benefit | ₹5,000 per person per year |
| Application Mode | Online (SUNEETHI portal) and Offline (DSJO office) |
| Implementing Office | District Social Justice Office |
| Official Website | sjd.kerala.gov.in |
Documents Required for Application
Applicant should keep the following documents ready before starting the application. All documents must be in the name of the disabled person who is applying:
- Aadhaar Card or Voter ID as identity proof
- Recent passport size photograph
- Medical certificate from a qualified doctor confirming disability and need for treatment
- Original Income Certificate from Village Office
- Copy of first page of bank passbook for cash transfer
How to Apply Online through SUNEETHI Portal
Online application for this fund is accepted through Kerala Social Justice Department's SUNEETHI portal. Steps to apply are given below.
STEP 1 - Open the SUNEETHI portal by going to suneethi.sjd.kerala.gov.in on any browser. On the homepage, click on 'One time Registration' link at the top of the page.
STEP 2 - Enter your name, mobile number and email ID in the registration form. Verify the OTP sent to your mobile. Create a login password to finish the one time registration.
STEP 3 - Log in to SUNEETHI portal using your mobile number and password. On your dashboard, update your personal details, contact details, identity card details and bank account details.
STEP 4 - From the list of schemes on your dashboard, select 'Distress Relief Fund for Differently Abled (Medical Treatment)' and click 'Apply Now' button.
STEP 5 - Fill in the application form, upload scanned copies of required documents including medical certificate and income certificate, and submit the form. A reference number will be shown after submission which you can use to check status later.
How to Apply Offline at DSJO Office
If you prefer a paper application, offline mode is also open. Application form is downloadable from Social Justice Department website.
STEP 1 - Download the application form from the official application form link and take a printout on A4 paper.
STEP 2 - Fill in the form completely in capital letters. Attach self-attested copies of all required documents like Aadhaar, medical certificate, income certificate and bank passbook.
STEP 3 - Submit the filled form along with documents at your District Social Justice Officer (DSJO) office. Officer may visit your home for personal check before recommending your file for approval.
Also check other Kerala welfare schemes like Kerala Disability Scholarship Scheme, Kerala Sabhalam Scheme and Kerala Aswasakiranam Scheme for more support options run by Social Justice Department.
References
Official Website | Government Order 1995 | Application Form
FAQ's
What is Distress Relief Fund for Differently Abled Medical Treatment?
It is a Kerala state welfare scheme that pays cash support to disabled residents for medical treatment and surgery costs. Money is paid from interest earned on a ₹1 crore corpus fund kept with state treasury since 1995.
Which department is running this scheme?
Social Justice Department, Government of Kerala runs the scheme. At district level, District Social Justice Officer (DSJO) handles the applications and approvals.
Who can apply for Distress Relief Fund?
Any resident of Kerala who is disabled or became handicapped after an accident can apply. Family yearly income must be below ₹20,000 for rural areas and ₹22,375 for urban areas.
Is the scheme open for people from other states?
No, only native residents of Kerala state can apply for this fund. Applicants from other states will not get support under this scheme.
How much money will I get?
Approved applicants get up to ₹5,000 in a year as cash support for medical treatment or surgery. Amount is paid directly to your bank account after approval.
Does this scheme cover disability due to accident?
Yes, people who became handicapped because of an accident are covered under this scheme, provided their income is within the allowed limit and they are Kerala residents.
How can I check my application status?
You can log in to SUNEETHI portal using your registered mobile number and check application status under 'My Applications' section on your dashboard. For offline applications, contact your DSJO office directly.
Can I apply for this scheme every year?
Yes, since the ₹5,000 support is a yearly benefit, you can apply again in a new year if you still need medical treatment support and meet the income and disability conditions.