Disability Pension For Transgender People: Option Is Included In The Form

Transgender people have now the option on the form to apply for disability pension. According to a recent report by the Times of India, the Social Welfare Department has included the third gender option on the disability pension application form, making them eligible for this pension. Transgender in India had no recourse against people for unfair treatment in getting work or in general until 2019.

On July 19, 2019, the bill Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, was introduced in Lok Sabha. It was finally passed on November 26, 2019.

The Act stipulates to ensure the participation of transgender and formulate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory schemes.

Reportedly, one of the transgender people, aged more than 40 years, applied for disability pension, but the application was rejected in 2021. She was born with 100 per cent hearing impairment and could not as well speak. After leaving home, she had to depend on begging to live.

Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019:

To protect transgender rights, in 2019, Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 was passed. 

This was to give transgender the right to work by stipulating no discrimination by employers, the right of residence, the right to reside with parents or immediate family members, establishing the National Council for Transgender Persons to monitor and review the transgender-related policies, coordinate the activities of the government department for transgender related matters, and regress grievances of them.

What Does The Act Say? 

The Act describes the government obligation as “The appropriate Government shall take steps to secure full and effective participation of transgender persons and their inclusion in society. The appropriate Government shall take such welfare measures as may be prescribed to protect the rights and interests of transgender persons and facilitate their access to welfare schemes framed by that Government. The appropriate Government shall formulate welfare schemes and programmes which are transgender sensitive, non-stigmatising and non-discriminatory”.

As per the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE), “All concerned Ministries/Departments of Government of India and State Governments have to formulate policies, programmes, and schemes or modify already existing schemes for Transgender persons”.

After the Act was passed, she found some hope of being heard. While she got rejected earlier, she can now apply for the disability pension rightfully. Five years after the Act came into effect, now, the disability pension application has included the ‘Transgender’ option in the gender category. One can check it on the e-District website.