Loan Facility for Physically Handicapped Persons

Many employers do not consider physically challenged individuals as an ideal candidate for employment which means their source of income is impacted. Which is why a loan facility for a physically handicapped person is not easily available.

But, there are many avenues for self-employment which a physically handicapped individual can make use of with the help of financial assistance from the Government.

There are a few government loan facilities for physically handicapped persons that can help them become more financially independent. 

The National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation (NHFDC) is a Government-owned organization under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. 

NHFDC functions as an apex institution for channeling funds to physically challenged individuals through State Channelising Agencies (SCAs) nominated by the State Government(s).

Some of the important schemes offered by National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation (NHFDC) for the physically handicapped or PwD are -

1. Divyangjan Swabhalaman Yojana

2. Vishesh Micro Finance Yojana (VMFY)

3. Educational Loans for Physically Handicapped

Divyangjan Swabhalaman Yojana

This is the flagship scheme of NHFDC. The main objective of this scheme is to assist PwD (People with Disabilities) by providing concessional loans for their economic and overall empowerment. 

Under Divyangjan Swabhalaman Yojana, concessional credit is available for all those with a disability( as qualified by PwD Act 2016) for the following activities -

• Activities contributing directly or indirectly to income generation or their overall empowerment

• Pursuing higher education post class 12th (UG, PG, Professional courses and other courses approved by UGC/AICTE/ICAR/Government etc.)

• Pursuing vocational or skill development (IT, Diploma any other course leading to better employment or self-employment)

• Purchase of any assistive device(s)/customization/retrofitting or conversion of an available machine, equipment, vehicle into disabled-friendly mode

Eligibility Criteria

• Any Indian citizen with 40% or more disability (Disability as defined in PwD Act, 2016 or its amendments).

• Applicants should be above 18 years. However, in the case of persons with mental retardation, the eligible age would be above 14 years.

Applicable Interest Rates for Divyangjan Swabhalaman Yojana

The rate of interest depends on the amount of the loan availed as given below. 

A rebate of 1% in interest will be allowed for women with disabilities/persons with disabilities other than OH (orthopaedically handicapped) for self-employment loans of up to Rs.50,000/-

Loan Tenure

The maximum tenure offered is 10 years. Prepayment of the loan is also allowed without any prepayment penalty.

Collateral

Reasonable collateral or security may be asked for availing the loan. The disbursing agencies may even co-opt family members of the applicants as co-borrowers. The assets and beneficiaries of the scheme will also be insured through various available government schemes.

Vishesh Micro Finance Yojana (VMFY)

NHFDC intends to reach out to the unbanked population of the target group by offering financial assistance at reasonable /moderate rates of interest. The aim of this scheme is to promote sustainable livelihoods that are also inclusive. 

In order to do so, NHFDC has partnered with NBFCs, MFI, SHG Federations, State Govt Missions, etc to pursue small/micro business and developmental activities.

Eligibility Conditions for Availing Vishesh Microfinance Yojana

The eligibility conditions for availing funds under VMFY will be the same as the ones followed by SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India) or NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Infrastructure Development Fund).

Loan Details

• Maximum finance allowed is Rs.60,000/-.

• NHFDC's share shall be up to 90% of the project cost. The balance 10% will be contributed by Implementing Agencies or other organizations, and/or beneficiaries.

• The rate of interest would be 12.50 % p.a.

• The maximum tenure of the loan can be 3 years. In addition, a period of 120 days is allowed for fund utilization. There shall not be any moratorium period for payment of interest.

Educational Loans for Physically Handicapped

Any Indian national with 40% disability could apply for an educational loan to pursue higher education in India or abroad

Salient Features of Education Loans for Physically Handicapped

• Loan quantum that is available is Rs 10 lakh for studies in India and Rs 20 lakh for studies abroad

• Rate of interest charged is 4% p.a with a rebate of 0.5% for female students

• Tenure of the loan is as follows -

  • The loan to be repaid within 7 years after commencement of repayment

  • The repayment as per schedule would commence one year after completion of the course or 6 months after securing a job, whichever is earlier

  • Interest on term loan would be charged from the date of disbursement of loan by NHFDC (grace period as per lending policy is permissible)

NHFDC allows various channels to avail their loan facility as given below -

1. Apply through State Channelising Agencies

You can apply for a business loan or an educational loan for the handicapped through the State Channelising Agencies that are appointed by the State Govts or Union Territories. 

Projects up to Rs. 10 lakh is sanctioned by State Channelising Agency and projects that cost over Rs. 10 lakh is sanctioned by NHFDC

2. Nationalised Banks/ Regional Rural Banks

The National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation extends a loan to PwD through Punjab National Bank, Andhra Bank, IDBI Bank and also through Regional Rural Banks in the State of Haryana, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal.

3. NGOs

You could also choose to submit the application through NGOs in the field. They will, in turn, forward the application to the respective State Channelising Agency to help you avail the loan

The documents that are required for availing a loan from NHFDC are -

• Loan Application form that can be obtained from implementing agencies or may be downloaded from NHFDC.

• The other supporting documents needed would be

  1. Approved Identity Proof

  2. Unique Disability ID or Disability Certificate issued by the competent authority

  3. Aadhar Card

  4. Proof of educational qualifications

While loans from the government are extremely helpful, if you need a loan urgently and do not want to go through cumbersome application process, you can always avail a personal loan.

Money View offers instant online personal loans of upto Rs. 10 lakh to all individuals meeting their simple eligibility criteria. The physically challenged can avail these loans from the comfort of their homes without having to make multiple trips to the banks/financial institutions.

To avail a personal loan from Money View, visit the website or download the loan app today.