Disabled locals apply for generous welfare offer

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Pattama Chiewchan (center) Director of Social Welfare Divison advises residents on how to apply for funds to support their businesses and occupational training.
Pattama Chiewchan (center) Director of Social Welfare Divison advises residents on how to apply for funds to support their businesses and occupational training.

Eighty-seven disabled Nong­prue residents will receive 109,500 baht over the next year to support businesses and occupational training.

Sub-district Social Welfare Director Pattama Chiewchan presided over the evaluation of applicants for the government’s Disabled Promotion and Quality of Life Development Project, which provides seed money to businesses operated by the handicapped or funds vocational education.

The money for the stipends comes from both government and private sources, with 11 non-governmental organizations and businesses chipping in the 9.5 million baht for this year’s budget.

Despite the generous size of the welfare payments, few disabled are taking advantage of the program. Nongprue officials said in December that only one in eight sub-district residents had applied by year-end for the benefits.

Nongprue officials said either people don’t know about what they’re entitled to or, for some reason, don’t want to claim them.

In 2016, 38 Nongprue families cashed in on their opportunities, earning 109,500 baht each. This year’s class of 87 people sets a record, but the sub-district is home to about 800 disabled Thais.