Disability Allowance

The present government is committed to providing equal rights and dignity to persons with disabilities. The Bangladesh Disability Welfare Act 2001 was enacted in 2001. This law was later repealed and the 'Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Act 2013' was introduced. The Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Act 2013 is a unique document for the protection and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities. Articles 15, 16, 20 and 29 of the Constitution of Bangladesh provide equal opportunities and rights to persons with disabilities along with other citizens. As part of the responsibilities of Article 15 (d) of the Constitution, the Indigent Disability Allowance Program was introduced from the financial year 2005-06. Initially, 1,04,17 persons with disabilities were brought under the allowance of Rs. 200 per person per month.

In the financial year 2008-09, the number of beneficiaries was 200,000 and the monthly allowance rate per capita was 250 and the annual allocation was Tk 80.00 crore. In the financial year 2009-10, the number of beneficiaries was increased to 260,000, the monthly allowance rate was increased to Tk 300 and the annual allocation to Tk 93.60 crore. In the financial year 2010-11, the number of beneficiaries was increased to 2 lakh 7 thousand and the annual allowance was increased to Tk 102.98 crore with a monthly allowance of Tk 300 per capita. In the current financial year 2021-22, 20 lakh 08 thousand disabled people are being given Taka 1620 crore as Taka 650 per month. The intensive supervision of the highest level of government and the relentless work of the officers and employees of all levels of the Department of Social Services has achieved almost 100% success in distributing the disability allowance.

During the present government, steps have been taken to ensure greater transparency and accountability in disability allowance activities and to make it universally acceptable. Besides, all the beneficiaries have opened bank accounts in their own names in exchange of Tk 10 and the system of payment of allowances has been introduced in GTP system.

Implementing office

Department of Social Services

Year of commencement of activities

Fiscal year 2005-06

Aims and objectives of the program

1. Fulfilling the constitutional and legal obligations given to persons with disabilities;

2. Socio-economic development of indigent persons with disabilities;

3. Bringing people with disabilities under the social security program;

4. Provide monthly allowances for persons with disabilities selected by the appropriate authority following specific policies;

5. Inclusion of persons with disabilities in the National Action Plan.

 Definition:

‘Persons with Disabilities’ Any person with any type of disability described in Section 3 of the Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2013;

Candidate Selection Criteria:

1. The applicant must be disabled as defined by the Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2013;

2. Socio-economic status of the applicant should be taken into consideration during selection;

3. Priority should be given to the elderly / elderly disabled in the payment of allowances;

4. Landless and homeless persons with disabilities will get priority in receiving allowances;

5. Women with disabilities should be given priority;

. People with multidimensional disabilities should be given priority;

. In the selection of new beneficiaries, priority should be given to the more impoverished and relatively backward or remote areas.

. For treatment, priority should be given to poor mentally / autistic children (age relaxed) and people with complete visual impairment.

Eligibility and Terms of Allowance Recipient:

1. Must be a permanent resident of the area concerned;

2. According to the Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2013, registration and identity card must be obtained from the social service office. The disabled person will receive registration and identity card from the district in which he is a permanent resident;

3. Persons with disabilities whose per capita annual income does not exceed Rs. 36,000 (thirty six thousand);

4. The applicant must be miserably disabled;

5. All types of disability above 6 (six) years should be considered for payment of allowance;

. Must be selected by the selection committee.

Ineligibility for Allowance:

1. If a government employee or a pensioner as a government employee;

2. If in any other way regular government grants;

3. If regular financial grant is received from any private organization / social welfare organization.