A handicap certificate or a PwD certificate is crucial for those with disabilities. It enables individuals to access the advantages, services, and incentives provided by various government programs. This document, typically issued by medical authorities, verifies the nature and extent of a person’s handicap.
In addition, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities of the government has created the Unique Disability ID (UDID) card for disabled individuals, allowing them to carry a single document for identity and handicap verification.
Who issues a certificate of handicap? What requirements must be met to qualify? How do you apply for a handicap certificate? What benefits are available to Persons with Disabilities (PwD) with a handicap certificate? This article provides exhaustive coverage of the solutions to all such inquiries.
Handicap certificate: Who issues a certificate of handicap?
The medical boards of their various states and districts issue handicap certificates. The board consists of an Ophthalmic Surgeon, ENT Surgeon, Audiologist, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Psychiatrist, Clinical Psychologist, etc., in addition to a Chief Medical Officer or Sub-Divisional Medical Officer from the district. After obtaining their certificate from the medical authorities, PwD candidates can acquire their unique ID cards offered by the Indian government.
Handicap certificate: Benefits
A handicap certificate enables disabled individuals to receive various benefits, depending on the nature and severity of their impairment. The federal and state governments have developed several programs for disabled applicants that are only accessible with a handicap certificate. Listed below are the advantages a handicap certificate provides:
- Available scholarship programs for students with disabilities.
- Decrease in income tax.
- Discounted train ticket.
- Reservation in public employment.
- Loan options for launching a new business.
- Gratuitous travel on public transit.
- Subsidised access to assistive devices and prosthetic aids.
- Unemployment benefit (applicable for educated disabled persons).
- Group coverage (applicable for government employees with disabilities).
- Subsidy for the purchase of adapted cars and numerous others.
Handicap certificate: Who can apply?
Persons with a greater handicap may apply for a handicap certificate if their handicap falls within one of the categories outlined in the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act of 2016. A PwD (Person with a handicap) is a person with one or more of the disabilities: “Physically handicapped person” refers to a blind, deaf, or orthopaedically handicapped person.
Handicap certificate: What is a UDID Card?
The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities of the Government of India has launched the UDID (Unique handicap ID) initiative as part of its UDID project, which aims to establish a comprehensive system for the issuance of handicap certificates and a universal ID for PwD candidates. A UDID card contains the identification and handicap information of candidates with a handicap. Additionally, it has a number of advantages, which include the –
You do not need to create, maintain, or carry multiple documents because the card contains all the pertinent information.
This card will serve as a single identification and verification document for handicapped candidates.
Handicap certificate: How to apply?
With the integrated UDID system, handicap certificates and identification cards can be requested online. Follow the processes outlined below to apply for a new certificate of handicap or to renew an existing one:
- Navigate to the official UDID website.
- To create an account on the UDID portal, click the ‘Register’ option.
- Enter your personal information, handicap information, employment information (if applicable), and identity information. Click the ‘Register’ option to create an account on the UDID portal.
- Upload and submit relevant papers.
- Once registered, you will receive the login credentials (enrollment number/UDID number) on your registered mobile phone and email address.
- Using the enrollment number/UDID number and date of birth, log in and then click “Apply online for handicap Certificate.”
- Upload the required documents and submit the data to the CMO Office/medical authority
- The CMO office/medical authority confirms the data and assigns the relevant specialist(s) for evaluation.
- The specialist physician will evaluate the candidates’ handicaps and provide his or her opinion.
- The case is subsequently evaluated by the medical board, which assigns a percentage of handicap.
- The CMO Office generates the handicap certificate and UDID, after which the UDID card is sent to handicapped individuals.
Handicap certificate: Required documents
In order to support your online application for a handicap certificate through the UDID site, you must upload scanned copies of specific documents. These documents are –
- A recent coloured photograph
- Signature and/or thumbprint of the candidate (optional)
- Address evidence (Driving License, Aadhaar Card, Ration Card, Domicile Certificate, Voter ID, etc.)
- Identity evidence (Aadhaar Card, Driving License, PAN Card, Ration Card, Voter ID, etc.)
- Income evidence
- Certificate of caste (applicable exclusively to SC/ST/OBC candidates)
- Handicap certificate (applicable for those individuals who already have already been issued a handicap certificate by a competent authority)
Handicap certificate: Validity
The validity of a certificate of handicap varies by type of handicap. The time for which the handicap certificate is valid is specified by the medical authority issuing the certificate. In the case of a permanent handicap, a handicap certification is valid for life. For temporary impairments, however, the certificate/ID card is valid for a period of five years. It must be renewed every five years, pending a medical evaluation of the impaired individual.
Handicap certificate: Contact Information
If you have any questions about the application for a handicap certificate or its validity, you can submit them to –
Shri D.K.Panda (Under Secretary)
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Room No. 517, B-II Block, Antyodaya Bhawan, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi, 110001. (India)
See also: How to get a viklang certificate?
FAQs
What exactly is a UDID card?
Is a UDID card required?
Yes, it is mandatory for all states and territories to issue disability certificates exclusively online using the UDID system.
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