The Social Welfare Department (Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat, JKM) pays several monthly cash aid schemes to elderly people, children, persons with disabilities (OKU) and carers from families in need. Many people who qualify never apply, because they do not know which scheme fits or think the process is complicated.
This guide puts seven JKM monthly aid schemes in one place: current rates, the main conditions and how to apply. Every figure comes from the official MyGOV portal (malaysia.gov.my) and the Ministry of Finance Portal Manfaat, and anything for 2027 is labelled as a Budget 2027 proposal.
A quick table of seven JKM monthly aid schemes. Rates are from MyGOV and the MOF Portal Manfaat; details for each scheme follow below.
| Scheme | Rate | For whom (short) |
|---|---|---|
| Elderly Aid (BWE) | RM600 a month | Aged 60+, household income not above the hardcore-poor poverty line |
| Child Aid (BKK) | RM250 per child aged 6 and under, RM200 per child aged 7 to under 18, up to RM1,000 per family | Families or guardians of children under 18, income not above the hardcore-poor poverty line |
| Foster Child Aid (BAP) | RM250 per child, up to RM500 per family (2 or more children) | Families caring for a foster child |
| Aid for OKU Unable to Work (BTB) | RM300 a month | JKM-registered OKU aged 16 to 59 who cannot work |
| Disabled Workers' Allowance (EPOKU) | RM450 a month | Working JKM-registered OKU aged 16+, not a student |
| Carer Aid for Bedridden OKU / Chronic Patients (BPT) | RM500 a month (RM600 proposed in Budget 2027) | Carers, household income up to RM5,000 |
| Federal General Aid (BA) | RM150 to RM500 a month per family | Living in the Federal Territories, no other JKM monthly aid |
Rate: RM600 a month (MyGOV and Portal Manfaat). In the Budget 2027 speech (paragraph 75), the government said next year's elderly aid allocation rises to RM1.3 billion for almost 200,000 recipients; that is the total allocation, not a higher monthly rate.
BKK helps parents or guardians raising children under 18 so the children can stay with their family. Rates according to MyGOV and Portal Manfaat:
Main conditions: a citizen living in Malaysia, with household income not above the hardcore-poor PGK. If the parents are non-citizens, bankrupt or have a mental disability, the aid can be approved in the child's own name. Portal Manfaat also says children already receiving the Special Needs Pupil Allowance (EMBPK), a PDK allowance or any other JKM monthly aid do not qualify for BKK, nor do children aged 16+ who work full time and are not in school.
BAP is for families who take in a foster child (an orphan or a child without a carer): at least RM250 per child and up to RM500 a month for a family fostering two or more children (Portal Manfaat JKM-007).
Two monthly schemes for holders of a JKM-registered OKU card, depending on whether you work:
BPT is paid to the lawful carer looking after a bedridden person with a disability or chronic illness at home full time. Main conditions: a citizen living in Malaysia, with household income of RM5,000 a month or less.
Simple multiplication as an estimate, not an official figure. JKM decides the actual amount. RM600 is a Budget 2027 proposal (paragraph 77) with no start date yet, so apply now at the current rate.
Federal General Aid is for poor individuals or families living in the Federal Territories who are not covered by any other JKM monthly scheme. Rate: from RM150 a month for one person up to RM500 a month per family. JKM also weighs the applicant's economic situation, health and dependants.
In other states, Portal Manfaat says each state runs its own State General Aid scheme with different conditions and rates. Ask your district Social Welfare Office about your state's scheme.
The MyGOV page Applying for JKM aid lists two ways:
1. Online: apply through the eBantuan JKM system (official link on the MyGOV page above).
2. At the office: go to your District, Jajahan, Division or Branch Social Welfare Office and fill in form JKM18 (downloadable from the same MyGOV page).
3. Investigation: every application is means-tested to confirm eligibility. Bring your supporting documents when you visit the office.
4. Decision: JKM tells you the result after its investigation. Aid is based on eligibility, not an automatic entitlement (Portal Manfaat).
Supporting documents listed by MyGOV:
We will update this guide when JKM publishes the new rates. Meanwhile, check STR 2027 and SARA 2026, because these government cash schemes are applied for separately from JKM aid.
JKM – Bantuan Warga Emas (BWE): RM600 a month in financial aid for people aged 60 and over from hardcore-poor households.
JKM – Bantuan Kanak-Kanak (BKK): RM200 to RM250 a month per child (up to RM1,000 per family) for families or guardians caring for children under 18.
JKM – Bantuan OKU Tidak Berupaya Bekerja (BTB): RM300 a month for JKM-registered persons with disabilities aged 16 to 59 who are unable to work.
JKM – Elaun Pekerja OKU (EPOKU): RM450 a month for JKM-registered persons with disabilities who work (employed or self-employed) with income under the JKM limit.
JKM – Bantuan Penjagaan OKU/Pesakit Kronik Terlantar (BPT): RM500 a month (RM600 proposed in Budget 2027, subject to approval; start date not announced) for people caring at home for a bedridden person with a disability or chronic illness, if household income is RM5,000 a month or less.
JKM Bantuan Am Persekutuan (BA), Wilayah Persekutuan: JKM monthly aid of RM150 to RM500 per family for hardcore-poor families living in the Federal Territories who get no other JKM monthly aid.
KPM – Elaun Murid Berkeperluan Khas (EMBPK): RM150 a month (RM200 proposed, Budget 2027) for pupils with disabilities who hold a JKM OKU card, at government or government-aided schools.
Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR): Government cash aid for low and middle-income households. STR 2027 (Budget 2027 proposal, subject to approval): RM200 to RM1,600 a year for households, RM600 for seniors without a spouse. Applications are open all year.
Elderly Aid (RM600), Child Aid (RM200 to RM250 per child, up to RM1,000), Foster Child Aid (RM250 to RM500), Aid for OKU Unable to Work (RM300), Disabled Workers' Allowance (RM450), Carer Aid for bedridden OKU or chronic patients (RM500) and Federal General Aid in the Federal Territories (RM150 to RM500).
Apply through the eBantuan JKM system linked from the MyGOV page 'Memohon Bantuan JKM'. JKM then investigates the application, and you bring your supporting documents to the district Social Welfare Office.
RM600 a month for people aged 60 or over whose household income is not above the hardcore-poor PGK, according to MyGOV and the MOF Portal Manfaat.
It depends on the scheme. For example, a child already receiving another JKM monthly aid or EMBPK does not qualify for BKK, and Federal General Aid is only for people not covered by another JKM monthly scheme. JKM assesses each case during its investigation.
No. RM600 a month is a Budget 2027 proposal. MyGOV and Portal Manfaat still show RM500 a month, and no start date has been announced.
Copies of the identity cards of the applicant and family members living with you, children's birth certificates, payslips if any, and related documents such as the OKU card or a doctor's confirmation letter.
Federal General Aid is only for residents of the Federal Territories. Other states run their own State General Aid schemes with different conditions and rates; ask your district Social Welfare Office.
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Summary of the MyGOV portal (JKM aid pages, updated 13 March 2026), the Ministry of Finance Portal Manfaat (updated 11 October 2026) and the Budget 2027 speech, checked 1 November 2026. Items for 2027 are proposals and subject to Parliament's approval. JKM decides final eligibility after its investigation. This guide is not financial advice. Disclaimer