Samarth-Respite Care Scheme

Application Process

Registered Organisations (ROs) Enrolment (first approval) Process: STEP 1. The RO logs in to the National Trust website. STEP 2. The application form, available only online on the National Trust website, must be submitted digitally; enrolling in the Samarth scheme carries an application fee of INR 1000/-. STEP 3. Once the National Trust receives the form and supporting documents, it verifies them and initiates a physical verification. If any information is missing or incorrectly submitted, the RO gets 15 days from the date of intimation to resubmit it. Documents needed for physical verification of the RO and the proposed Samarth centre can be submitted either at the time of enrolment on the National Trust website or afterward. If the RO misses the deadline, it gets a further 15 days from the date of the National Trust's notification to submit them. STEP 4. Once all formalities and processes are complete, a final decision is made on the application. If the physical verification report shows the RO meets the scheme's criteria, the application is approved; any discrepancy is communicated to the RO. STEP 5. The National Trust must respond to the RO within 15 days of receipt — for online forms, this is counted from the date and time of submission along with all required documents. If information is missing, the National Trust must inform the RO within 10 days of receiving the online submission. STEP 6. If the RO has not yet sent hard copies of the documents, the National Trust sends a reminder within 15 days of the prescribed time. STEP 7. Once enrolment is complete, a scheme ID is generated for the RO, and confirmation is sent to them. STEP 8. The National Trust also hands the RO a starter kit/Samarth handbook covering the full details of the scheme. STEP 9. The National Trust then begins disbursing setup cost funds to the RO. Existing Samarth centres must follow this same procedure to enrol under the new scheme, including submitting the required documents and proposal. Once enrolled, they stop receiving benefits under the old scheme and start receiving funds under the new one, following the same process described above. Enrolment of PwD at the Samarth Centre: STEP 1. The PwD arrives at, or is brought to, the centre. STEP 2. The Samarth centre runs an Individual PwD Assessment Test, with a Therapist or Counsellor's help, to understand the PwD's specific needs. STEP 3. If the PwD is orphaned, abandoned, or from a family in crisis, the RO approaches the competent district officials authorized by the State Government for certification; no further documents beyond this certificate are needed for enrolment. The PwD is also automatically placed in the BPL category and enrolled for Niramaya alongside Samarth registration. STEP 4. In all other cases, the National Trust checks whether the PwD qualifies for LIG or BPL funding. STEP 5. The parent or guardian fills out the Enrolment Form, along with originals and photocopies of the required documents. STEP 6. Once all submitted documents are successfully verified, the PwD is enrolled at the Samarth centre; a confirmation Enrolment ID card/receipt, along with a starter kit, is handed to the parents or guardians. Samarth representatives share further details on the start date, rules, and regulations. STEP 7. Samarth representatives brief the parents/guardians in detail about the Niramaya health insurance scheme, if not already availed, and may assist with enrolling the PwD under Niramaya if the parents/guardian agree. Where no parent or guardian is present, the Samarth centre must enrol the PwD under Niramaya.