SR150000 transport aid for disabled

(MENAFN- Arab News) JEDDAH: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman has ordered that the government pay people with disabilities SR150000 for their transport and to discontinue the program providing them with fully equipped vehicles.
Minister of Social Affairs Majed Al-Qassabi told Arab News that the ministry has a plan to resolve all long-term obstacles with the cooperation of the private sector to provide transportation services to the disabled.
Al-Qassabi praised King Salman for supporting the program which would help meet the needs of people with disabilities.
The Ministry of Social Affairs would work with the Ministry of Finance and other civil society agencies to review all requirements and regulations for issuing assistance Al-Qassabi has been quoted as saying by a local daily.
Abdullah bin Saud Al-Moaiqil deputy minister of social affairs for family care said the two ministries would work out the best way to pay out the money to 500 people who had been approved to receive vehicles.
This would be the first phase of the program with payments taking place before the end of this year. Those who qualify include people who registered with the government before last year.
There are 12000 beneficiaries registered under the old program up until the end of last month who would be included in the second phase of the program. Disbursement would take place in line with procedures and mechanisms approved by the finance and social affairs ministries he said.
The government's vehicle-provision program began three years ago and provided more than 6300 fully equipped cars.
Sources at the ministry said the amounts under the new scheme would allow beneficiaries to purchase vehicles directly from dealers based on their needs.
They said the ministry found that many families had tried to sell fully equipped vehicles despite regulations stating they could not do so within five years of receiving them.
People who want to register for the program would soon be able to do so at the ministry's 37 rehabilitation centers. More than 300000 people with disabilities are expected to benefit. A specialized committee will review cases based on the extent of disability and financial status of families.