Assistance to Persons with Disabilities for Purchase/Fitting of Aids/Appliances (ADIP Scheme)

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

For many persons with disabilities, the right assistive device can make everyday activities easier, improve mobility and communication, and support greater independence. However, the cost of prosthetic limbs, wheelchairs, hearing aids, mobility equipment and other specialised devices can be difficult for families with limited income to manage. The Government of India addresses this need through the Assistance to Persons with Disabilities for Purchase/Fitting of Aids/Appliances, commonly known as the ADIP Scheme. The scheme has been in operation since 1981 and provides eligible persons with disabilities with modern, standard and scientifically manufactured aids and assistive devices. Under the revised guidelines, eligible aids costing up to ₹15,000 can receive full financial assistance, while eligible aids costing between ₹15,001 and ₹30,000 can receive assistance up to ₹15,000. Special provisions also cover selected high-cost devices and cochlear implants, with cochlear implant support of up to ₹7 lakh for eligible children with pre-lingual hearing loss and up to ₹6 lakh for eligible children with acquired hearing loss.

The ADIP Scheme is implemented by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. Instead of distributing assistance only through one central office, the Department works through authorised implementing agencies such as ALIMCO, National Institutes, Composite Regional Centres, District Disability Rehabilitation Centres, State disability corporations and eligible NGOs. These agencies identify beneficiaries, assess their functional requirements, arrange suitable devices, carry out fitting and provide post-fitting support. The scheme also allows corrective or surgical intervention where required before fitting an assistive device.

The current ARJUN portal provides a digital route for beneficiary registration and assistive-device services. Applicants can also approach the nearest authorised implementing agency, where documents are checked and a qualified rehabilitation professional assesses the person's requirement before prescribing the appropriate device. The official portal currently describes the process as digital and transparent and provides options to register as a beneficiary, locate centres and access equipment information.

Readers looking for other disability-related support can also explore Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana on GovtSchemes.in, which focuses on providing assisted-living devices to eligible senior citizens.

Scheme Benefits

The ADIP Scheme does not provide one fixed amount to every beneficiary. The assistance depends on the type and cost of the approved aid or appliance, the beneficiary's income category and the specific provisions applicable to that device.

• Eligible aids and appliances costing up to ₹15,000 can receive full financial assistance under the scheme.
• For eligible aids costing ₹15,001 to ₹30,000, financial assistance is available up to ₹15,000.
• For listed expensive assistive devices costing above ₹30,001, the Government of India may provide assistance of up to 50% of the cost, subject to the scheme's income ceiling and other applicable conditions. This provision does not apply to cochlear implants and motorised tricycles.
• High-end prosthetic limbs, including below-knee, above-knee, below-elbow and above-elbow prostheses, can receive a subsidy of up to ₹30,000.
• Persons with 80% or more disability may receive a subsidy of up to ₹50,000 for a motorised tricycle or motorised wheelchair. The assistance is available to eligible persons aged 16 years and above and can generally be provided once in five years, subject to the applicable scheme conditions.
• Children aged 1 to 5 years with pre-lingual hearing loss may receive cochlear implant assistance of up to ₹7 lakh.
• Children aged 5 to 18 years with acquired hearing loss may receive cochlear implant assistance of up to ₹6 lakh.
• Cochlear implant assistance may cover the implant, surgery, therapy, mapping, travel and pre-implant assessment, within the prescribed financial limit.
• Travel assistance of up to ₹250 per person may be provided for the person with disability and one escort, subject to the scheme conditions. The assistance is available for travel to the rehabilitation centre or distribution camp.
• In specified cases, beneficiaries with a total monthly income of up to ₹22,500 may receive ₹100 per day for up to 15 days towards boarding and lodging.
• The scheme covers a wide range of assistive devices, including prosthetic and orthotic devices, mobility aids, hearing aids, low-vision aids, learning equipment, communication devices and other approved equipment recommended under the scheme.
• Implementing agencies must provide one year of free maintenance for the aids and assistive devices supplied under the scheme.

The exact device and amount of assistance depend on the approved category and the beneficiary's assessment. The Department can also revise the list of eligible aids and assistive devices from time to time through its expert committees.

Financial Assistance Under ADIP Scheme

The amount of assistance under the ADIP Scheme depends on the beneficiary's income and the type of aid or assistive device required. Here is a simple overview of the main financial support available:

The exact assistance depends on the device prescribed and the applicable ADIP rules. The maximum prices shown in the official device list are procurement limits and should not be confused with the amount of money paid directly to the beneficiary.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the prescribed disability, identification, income and previous-assistance conditions before receiving an aid or appliance under the ADIP Scheme.

• The applicant must be an Indian citizen.
• There is no general age limit for the basic ADIP eligibility requirement.
• The applicant must have a UDID Card issued by the Government or a UDID enrolment number along with a disability certificate showing at least 40% disability.
• An Aadhaar number or Aadhaar enrolment ID is required along with the other documents prescribed under the applicable Government notification.
• The applicant's monthly income from all sources should not exceed ₹30,000.
• For a dependent beneficiary, the monthly income of the parents or guardian should not exceed ₹30,000.
• The applicant should not have received assistance for the same purpose from any source during the previous three years.
• For children below 12 years of age, the minimum period for receiving assistance for the same purpose is one year.
• An income certificate from the appropriate revenue authority may be used to establish income. The guidelines also recognise certain alternative documents, including a BPL card, MGNREGA card or disability pension card, and in specified circumstances a notarised affidavit through the implementing agency.
• For certain specialised devices, additional conditions apply. For example, motorised tricycles and motorised wheelchairs require 80% or more disability and are generally available to eligible persons aged 16 years and above once in five years.

The 40% disability requirement is the general benchmark under the revised ADIP guidelines. Device-specific requirements can be different, so meeting the basic eligibility conditions does not automatically mean that every type of aid or appliance will be approved.

Required Documents

Keeping the main identification, disability and income documents ready can make the assessment process easier. The authorised implementing agency may ask for additional documents depending on the device being prescribed.

• Aadhaar card or Aadhaar enrolment ID, as applicable.
• UDID card or UDID enrolment number.
• Disability certificate showing the prescribed percentage of disability.
• Income certificate from the competent authority.
• Where accepted under the guidelines, an alternative income document such as BPL card, MGNREGA card or disability pension card.
• For dependent applicants, the required income proof of the parent or guardian.
• Recent photographs, wherever required by the implementing agency.
• Any medical or assessment documents relevant to the disability and the requested aid.
• For specialised devices, additional medical, functional or educational documents may be required during assessment.

The final document list can vary according to the implementing agency and the device required. The ARJUN portal currently advises applicants to carry Aadhaar, an income certificate and the UDID card, if available, when approaching the nearest centre.

Steps to Apply

The ADIP application process combines online registration with physical assessment. The purpose of the assessment is not only to verify documents but also to determine which aid or assistive device is actually suitable for the beneficiary.

Online

• Start with the official ARJUN portal, which is the current digital interface for ADIP and related assistive-device services.
• On the ARJUN home page, use the beneficiary registration option to begin the application process for an assistive device.
• Keep your Aadhaar details, UDID information or enrolment number, disability certificate and income-related documents ready while completing the registration.
• After registration, the beneficiary can approach the nearest authorised implementing agency or centre shown through the available centre-finding facility.
• At the centre, the rehabilitation professional checks the documents and carries out a physical or functional assessment.
• The assessment determines the type of aid or assistive device required, including the appropriate size, specification or fitting where necessary.
• Once the beneficiary and prescribed device are found eligible under the scheme, the implementing agency arranges the device through the applicable process.
• The device is then fitted or distributed to the beneficiary. For certain devices, fitting, training or rehabilitation support may form part of the process.
• If an existing device requires repair or servicing, the ARJUN portal directs beneficiaries to the nearest AASRA, or ALIMCO Authorised Service & Repair Agency, where applicable.
• For beneficiaries who prefer physical assistance, the scheme also operates through assessment and distribution camps and through National Institutes, CRCs, ALIMCO, DDRCs and other authorised implementing agencies.

The revised scheme provides for beneficiary identification through district-level camps, services through the headquarters or regional centres of implementing agencies, and digital requests through the Department's online systems. The scheme guidelines state that eligible beneficiaries registered through the portal are to receive the prescribed aid or assistive device within six months from registration, subject to the applicable process and eligibility.

Through Authorised Implementing Agencies, Assessment Camps and Rehabilitation Centres

Eligible persons can also approach an authorised implementing agency, assessment camp or rehabilitation centre for assistance under the ADIP Scheme. The implementing agency assesses the beneficiary's disability and requirement to identify a suitable aid or appliance.

The beneficiary must submit the required documents and undergo the prescribed assessment. If found eligible, the beneficiary is registered under the scheme and the implementing agency arranges the required aid or appliance, including fitting where necessary.

As per the ADIP guidelines, eligible beneficiaries should receive the aid or appliance within six months from the date of registration.

Offline/Assisted Application Process

1. Visit a nearby authorised ADIP implementing agency, rehabilitation centre or assessment camp.
2. Submit the required disability, income, Aadhaar and other prescribed documents.
3. Undergo the required assessment to identify the appropriate aid or appliance.
4. If eligible, complete the registration process under the scheme.
5. The implementing agency arranges the required aid or appliance and its fitting, where necessary.
6. The eligible beneficiary should receive the aid or appliance within six months of registration, as prescribed under the scheme guidelines.

Relevant Links

• Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities – ADIP Scheme
• ARJUN Portal
• Assistance to Persons with Disabilities for Purchase/Fitting of Aids/Appliances (ADIP Scheme) Guidelines
• Scheme Documents Page
• Deivice list under Assistance to Persons with Disabilities for Purchase/Fitting of Aids/Appliances (ADIP Scheme)
• Assistance to Persons with Disabilities for Purchase/Fitting of Aids/Appliances (ADIP Scheme) User Manual

Contact Information

For beneficiary registration, eligibility questions, assistive-device requirements and technical support, applicants can use the current ARJUN/ADIP helpdesk details published by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.

• Phone: 011-24369027
• Product/Eligibility Support: 9151110481
• Technical Queries: 9151110439
• ALIMCO Toll-Free: 1800 180 5129
• Email: [email protected]
• Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India
• Address: B-I Block, Antyodaya Bhawan, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003

For practical help with an application, beneficiaries can also approach the nearest authorised implementing agency, National Institute, Composite Regional Centre, District Disability Rehabilitation Centre or ALIMCO centre. The ARJUN portal provides centre-related information and is the most useful starting point for identifying the appropriate service location.