My 27-year-old brother with a mental disability is being denied pension support because we don't have a ration card. What can we do in Telangana?
My 27-year-old brother has a certified mental disability, with an IQ of around 50, and he has a valid SADAREM Certificate. He is completely dependent on my parents and is not capable of earning or supporting himself independently.
However, we are facing a serious problem while trying to apply for a disability pension in Telangana. We were told that he is not eligible because he does not have a ration card.
The reason we don't have a ration card is because my father has been the sole breadwinner of our family, and his income does not fall within the eligibility criteria required to obtain one. So, because of my father's income, our family was never eligible for a ration card.
What I find difficult to understand is how my brother's eligibility for financial support can be denied based solely on our family's income or the absence of a ration card. He is 27 years old, has a significant mental disability, and will likely remain financially dependent on his family throughout his life.
What makes this even more worrying is that my father is getting closer to retirement. I am only 22 and have recently started my first job. My salary is currently enough to mostly support myself, but I am still at the very beginning of my career. As my parents get older and my father retires, the responsibility of financially supporting and caring for my brother will eventually fall largely on me.
We were advised to get an income certificate instead, but from what I understand, that also considers the entire family income, rather than recognising my brother as an adult with a disability who is personally unable to earn or support himself.
I understand that welfare schemes need eligibility criteria, but this situation feels extremely illogical. My brother's disability and dependency do not disappear simply because my father currently earns above a certain limit. Once my father retires, our family's financial situation could also change significantly.
Has anyone in Telangana faced a similar situation regarding SADAREM certification, disability pensions, ration cards, or income eligibility? Are there any alternative ways to apply, appeal, or get his disability and lifelong dependency considered separately from the family's current income?
I would genuinely appreciate any advice, especially from someone who has personally dealt with the Telangana disability welfare or pension system.
TL;DR: My 27-year-old brother has a significant mental disability and a valid SADAREM certificate, but he is being denied the Cheyutha disability pension in Telangana because our family does not have a ration card. We were not eligible for one due to my father's income. My father is nearing retirement, and I am only 22 and have just started my career. My brother will remain financially dependent on our family for life. Is there any alternative way to apply for or appeal the Cheyutha pension?