Public Welfare / Big Relief for PwDs! Odisha's Bhima Bhoi Scheme Gets Major Overhaul; Check If You're Now Eligible

Bhubaneswar, Aug 3: In a major relief for persons with disabilities (PwDs), the Odisha government on Monday revised the guidelines of the Bhima Bhoi Bhinnakshyama Samarthya Abhiyan (BBSA), significantly increasing the annual family income limit for availing free assistive devices and educational scholarships.

The revised norms are expected to bring many more eligible beneficiaries under the ambit of the welfare scheme.

Income Ceiling Raised To Rs 5 Lakh
Under the amended guidelines, families with an annual income of up to Rs 5 lakh will now be eligible to receive assistive devices completely free of cost.

Earlier, only families earning up to Rs 2.40 lakh annually were entitled to the benefit.

Subsidy Structure Revised
The government also introduced a graded payment structure for beneficiaries with higher family incomes.

Families with an annual income between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 10 lakh will have to bear only 25% of the cost of assistive devices, while the government will cover the remaining amount.

For families with an annual income above Rs 10 lakh, beneficiaries will have to pay 50% of the total cost of the assistive devices.

Previously, families earning above Rs 2.40 lakh were required to pay 50% of the cost.

Also Read: Odisha Minister Announces Major Flood Damage Assessment Across 23 Districts

Scholarship Eligibility Expanded
The income ceiling for post-matric scholarships for children of persons with disabilities has also been revised.

Students pursuing higher education after Class-10 from families with an annual income of up to Rs 5 lakh will now be eligible for the scholarship, compared to the earlier limit of Rs 2.40 lakh.

Revised Guidelines To Take Effect Soon
The Department of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) has issued a notification regarding the amendments.

The Bhima Bhoi Bhinnakshyama Samarthya Abhiyan (Amended Guidelines), 2026 will come into force from the date of publication of the official Gazette notification.