First phase payments under Penang’s i-Sejahtera programmes to start from March 8

GEORGE TOWN: Payments for the first phase under the i-Sejahtera programmes will start from March 8, says Penang exco member Phee Boon Poh.

He said the aid under the Elderly Appreciation Programme (PPWE), Single Mother Assistance Programme (PBIT), Disabled Persons Assistance Programme (PBOKU) and the Golden Housewife Programme (PSE) will be channelled via electronic funds transfer.

"The Disabled Persons Assistance Programme will involve existing and newly registered beneficiaries and have their registrations confirmed as of Feb 28.

"While for the Elderly Appreciation Programme, Single Mother Assistance Programme and Golden Housewife Programme, this payment will involve beneficiaries who have completed registration and been verified in the i-Sejahtera system as of 31 Dec 2022.

"The payment rate for the current year for the Elderly Appreciation Programme and the Disabled Assistance Programme is as much as RM200, while for the Single Mother Assistance Programme and the Golden Housewife Programme, the payment is RM100 per year," said Phee in a statement today (Feb 23).

The environment and welfare committee chairman added that the number of beneficiaries recorded so far is 189,888 for the Senior Citizens Appreciation Programme, followed by 10,146 beneficiaries for the Single Mother Assistance Programme and 43,600 beneficiaries for the Golden Housewife Programme.

He said as of Feb 21, a total of 12,854 people are eligible for the Disabled Assistance Programme.

The estimated total expenditure for all the programmes under Phase One of i-Sejahtera is RM45.923mil, said Phee.

As for payments to registered recipients (complete and verified) from Jan 1 to March 31, it is scheduled to be implemented around April until May (for PPWE, PBIT and PSE Programmes only).

Beneficiaries who also failed to receive the electronic funds transfer (EFT) payments under Phase One will be paid in the next transaction.

Phee said the state is calling on all applicants whether existing applicants or new applicants registered under the i-Sejahtera programmes to immediately update their respective banking information to ensure that they do not miss out on receiving the i-Sejahtera aid.

Any further enquiries related to i-Sejahtera may be referred to the district office, district social welfare office or the nearest assemblyman service centre.