Indira Gandhi National Vridhavastha Pension Yojana 2026

The "Homes for Intellectually Impaired Persons" scheme by the Maharashtra Government's Department of Social Justice & Special Read More... Assistance provides shelter, food, and care for orphan children who are mentally deficient and need protection. Read less

Details

Navigating life can be tough, especially for children who need extra care and support. The Government of Maharashtra understands this and has a special scheme to help those who are intellectually impaired.

What Is This Scheme About?

The "Homes for Intellectually Impaired Persons" scheme is an initiative by the Department of Social Justice & Special Assistance in Maharashtra. It's designed to provide a safe haven for children who are mentally deficient and in need of care and protection. These children are admitted to special shelter homes through the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) of their district. Currently, there are 19 such homes across the state, with 14 being granted financial aid and 5 operating without it.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

This scheme is specifically for orphan children who are permanent residents of Maharashtra and are identified as Mentally Deficient Children (MDC) requiring care and protection. A key requirement is that the child must have a disability percentage of 40% or more.

Why This Scheme Is Important

This initiative plays a crucial role in ensuring that vulnerable children get the support they deserve. It offers free facilities including food, shelter, and comprehensive care, helping these children lead a more protected and comfortable life. By admitting them into dedicated homes, the scheme ensures they receive the necessary attention and assistance.

Objective

The "Homes for Intellectually Impaired Persons" scheme by the Maharashtra Government's Department of Social Justice & Special Assistance provides shelter, food, and care for orphan children who are mentally deficient and need protection.

Benefits

Pension amount: ₹ 600/- per month.

Sources and references

Guidelines

Who Can Apply?

You must be an Indian citizen.
The child must be an orphan.
The child must be a permanent resident of Maharashtra State.
The child must be diagnosed as a Mentally Deficient Child (MDC) and require care and protection.
The child's disability percentage must be 40% or above.

How To Apply

To apply for this scheme, you need to follow these steps:

The admission of mentally deficient children needing care and protection is done through the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) of the district, as per the Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection of Children) Act.
You can find the list of Child Welfare Committees in Maharashtra at this link.
For the application form, you need to visit the District Social Welfare Office and request a hard copy from the concerned authority.

Documents You'll Need

Aadhaar Card
Two passport-sized photographs (signed across)
Proof of Age (like a Birth Certificate)
Residential Certificate / Domicile Certificate of Maharashtra State
Disability Certificate
Bank Account Details (Bank Name, Branch, Address, IFSC Code, etc.)
Any other document the Child Welfare Committee might ask for.

Official Information

Scheme Guidelines can be found at: https://sjsa.maharashtra.gov.in/en/scheme-category/disability-welfare
Website of the Department of Social Justice & Special Assistance: https://sjsa.maharashtra.gov.in/
Address of the Department: 437, Shankar Sheth Rd, Police Colony, Swargate, Pune, Maharashtra 411042
Addresses of District Social Welfare Offices: https://sjsa.maharashtra.gov.in/en/contacts
Grievance Redressal Portal: https://grievances.maharashtra.gov.in/en

FAQ’s

What is the full form of MDC in this scheme?

MDC stands for 'Mentally Deficient Children'. These are the children who are eligible to be admitted to the homes under this scheme.

Are there any special provisions for children who are not from Maharashtra?

No, this scheme is exclusively for citizens who are permanent residents of the State of Maharashtra. Applicants from neighboring states cannot apply.

What does the Juvenile Justice Act have to do with this scheme?

The Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection of Children) Act, first introduced in 2000 and amended in 2006, is the framework through which children are admitted to these homes via the Child Welfare Committee.

How many non-granted MDC homes are there under this scheme?

Out of the total 19 MDC homes operating under this scheme, 5 are non-granted homes.

Is it necessary for the child to be an orphan to get into these homes?

Yes, a crucial requirement for eligibility is that the applicant must be an orphan.

What kind of facilities can children expect in these shelter homes?

Children admitted to these homes receive free food, a place to stay (shelter), and essential care and protection services.

What is the minimum disability percentage required for a child to be eligible?

The child must have a disability percentage of 40% or more to be considered eligible for this scheme.

Do I need to pay any fees to apply for this scheme?

No, the entire process of applying for this scheme is free of cost. There are no application fees involved.

Where can I find the details for applying to the scheme?

You will need to visit your local District Social Welfare Office to obtain a hard copy of the application form format for this scheme.

Is there any age limit for applicants under this scheme?

The scheme focuses on 'Mentally Deficient Children' who are in need of care and protection, and admission is facilitated through the Child Welfare Committee, implying it's for children and adolescents as per JJ Act guidelines.

Where can I get the official website address for the Department of Social Justice & Special Assistance?

You can visit the official website of the Department of Social Justice & Special Assistance, Government of Maharashtra, at https://sjsa.maharashtra.gov.in/.

Is there an income limit to qualify for this scheme?

No, the scheme guidelines do not mention any income-related criteria for eligibility. The focus is on the child's need for care and protection due to intellectual impairment.

What is SJSA, and is this scheme run by them?

SJSA stands for 'Social Justice & Special Assistance'. Yes, this scheme is run by the Department of Social Justice & Special Assistance, Government of Maharashtra.

What are the main goals of the 'Homes for Intellectually Impaired Persons' scheme?

The primary objective is to admit Mentally Deficient Children who are orphans and need care and protection into specialized shelter homes, ensuring they receive necessary support and facilities.

How can I lodge a complaint or grievance related to this scheme?

You can register your grievances on the official Grievance Redressal Portal provided by the Government of Maharashtra. The link is https://grievances.maharashtra.gov.in/en.