- Entitlement for Maintenance: Parents or grandparents who can’t support themselves can ask their children (excluding minors) for maintenance. Childless senior citizens can ask their relatives for maintenance.
- Application for Maintenance: Senior citizens or parents can apply themselves or through an authorized person. The Tribunal can also take action on its own.
- Maintenance Tribunal: State Governments must set up Tribunals within six months, led by an officer of Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) rank.
- Order for Maintenance: If children or relatives refuse to support, the Tribunal can order a monthly allowance (up to ₹10,000).
- Appeals: Senior citizens or parents can appeal to the Appellate Tribunal within 60 days. Late appeals may be accepted with a valid reason.
- Maintenance Officer: The District Social Welfare Officer oversees the implementation.
- Old-Age Homes: The State must establish homes for poor senior citizens, each with at least 150 residents.
- Maintenance refers to the basic support required for dignified living of parents and senior citizens.
- As per Section 2(b) of the Act, it includes:
- Food
- Clothing
- Residence and
- Medical attendance and treatment.
- Children and heirs are legally obligated to provide maintenance.
An application for maintenance under section 4, may be made –
- By a senior citizen or a parent, as the case may be; or
- If he is incapable, by any other person or organisation authorised by him; or
- The Tribunal may take cognizance suo motu.
Explanation – For the purposes of this section, “organisation” means any voluntary association registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, or any other law for the time being in force.
