The following criteria must be met to be eligible for social relief of distress:

• The applicant must expect to receive authorized social assistance.
• The applicant must have been medically incapable of performing paid work for less than six months.
• The application must be submitted within three months of the breadwinner's death.
• The applicant must not have contacted a parent, child, or spouse who is legally required to pay maintenance, and there must be proof that attempts to contact them have been unsuccessful.
• The primary breadwinner of the family must have been admitted to a state-funded facility, such as a prison, psychiatric hospital, state home for older persons, substance abuse treatment center, or child and youth care center.
• The Disaster Management Act or the Fund Raising Act, which define a disaster, may have an impact on the application.
• The applicant must not be receiving assistance from any other source.

If you meet these criteria, applying for social relief of distress can help prevent unnecessary suffering.