COVID-19 One Time Financial Assistance SCAORA’s Member Lawyers

COVID-19 One Time Financial Assistance to SCAORA’s Member Lawyers 2020-21 [Application Form, Eligibility, Documents, List, Portal,

The Coronavirus pandemic has already claims 721 lives in India, while many more are fighting with the disease. The central and state governments have decided to extend the nation-wide lockdown till the 3^rd of May 2020. With the rise in the number of positive cases, experts anticipate that the central government may be forced to extend the lockdown further. It has almost crippled the trade and commerce in the country. Lakhs of people have lost their jobs, which have left them without a steady income. Not all lawyers and advocates are wealthy, and some are in financial distress due to the COVID – 19 pandemic. The Supreme Court Advocate-On-Record Association had announced a financial relief scheme for the needy law practitioners. In this article, you will learn about the features, eligibility, list of necessary documents, and application process of the scheme.

Key features of the scheme

1. Financial assistance – Due to the COVID – 19 lockdown, many private law practitioners are out of work. This scheme will provide financial security these people.
2. Revision of the scheme guidelines – Though the scheme had been announced recently, the respective committee has already made some changes in the guidelines. These alterations will offer the perks to a larger number of financially distressed lawyers and advocates.
3. Grant amount – The SCAORA Executive Committee has declare the grant amount that will be given to each beneficiary is Rs. 10,000.
4. Power of approval – The scheme guidelines also highlight that the power to select the eligible candidates will be bestowed on the Executive Committee.
5. Mode of payment – The Executive Committee has mentioned that the selected beneficiaries will attain the financial grant in their bank accounts. The Direct Benefit Transfer mode will make the money disposition easy and transparent.

Eligibility for the applicants

1. For registered advocates – The advocate or lawyer must be registered, and his/her name must be included in the SCBA 2019 voter list.
2. Income related criterion – It has been highlighted in the program guidelines that lawyers/advocates, who earn more than Rs. 6 lakhs every year, will not be included in this scheme.
3. Professional status of the spouse – If the spouse of the law practitioner has a steady income, then the registration request of the applicant will not be processed.
4. For non-creditors and beneficiaries – If the law practitioners have already applied and received a loan from the Bar Council, or are enjoying the beneficiary status under any relief scheme, such candidates will not be able to apply for this program.
5. Must have a bank account – If the lawyers or the advocates do not have bank accounts, then they will miss out on the opportunity of acquiring the financial grant.

Documents necessary for registration

1. Registration certificate and serial number – The lawyers will have to submit a copy of their certificates, which have been issued by the Bar Council. The registered serial number must be mentioned as well.
2. Identity proof – The candidate must submit a copy of his/her Aadhar card during registration.
3. Income certificate – The lawyer or advocate will have to submit a copy of his/her annual income certificate.
4. Professional details of the spouse – It is mandatory for the applicant to attach the professional documents, and salary slip of his/her spouse.
5. Age proof – It is pertinent for the interested applicant to attach a copy of his/her birth certificate, along with the registration form.
6. Type of accommodation – It is mandatory for the applicant to offer a document that highlights whether the person lives in a private or rented house.
7. IT return documents – If the candidate wants to become a beneficiary of this scheme, then he/she must the copies of IT return papers for the last financial year.
8. Bank account details – The candidate must attach an official document that sheds light on the type and bank account number, IFSC code, branch code, bank and branch names, etc.

How to get the application form and enroll for the benefit?

Though the Executive Committee of SCAORA has announced that all the applications will be received via online portal, they are yet to provide the details. However, a financially distressed advocate and lawyer must log in on the website scaoracfas@gmail.com. Here, the applicant will get access to the digitized application form. It must be filled in and necessary documents must be attached for verification. The beneficiary list will be uploaded on the same portal, once the Executive Committee has taken the final decision.

The scheme has been developed and implemented for the betterment of the needy lawyers and advocated. It is a special program that ensures the financial security of this specific category. The Bar Council can make necessary changes in the scheme, if deemed necessary. Once that happens, you will get the updated details on our portal.