KUALA LUMPUR: Monthly welfare aid such as Children’s Aid (BKK), Disabled Workers’ Allowance (Elaun OKU) and Senior Citizens’ Aid is targeted to be paid by the 10th of each month, the Dewan Rakyat was told.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri (pic) said the ministry, through the Social Welfare Department, remains committed to that timeline, although a small number of recipients may face delays due to an ageing system.
"The department aims for the assistance to be disbursed no later than the 10th of each month.
"However, we acknowledge that there is a small percentage of recipients who receive it after the targeted date because the current system requires a comprehensive upgrade after operating for so long and reaching its maximum capacity," she said on Wednesday (Nov 26).
Nancy said the department is developing a new payment system to improve speed and reliability, which is expected to be operational by early 2027.
"The weaknesses of the old system mean a small number of recipients still receive assistance after the target date, even though the department has set payment to be completed before the 10th of every month. This is why we are in the process of building a new system," she said.
For now, all payments are made via electronic funds transfer directly into recipients’ bank accounts, and beneficiaries may choose whichever bank is most convenient for them.
Nancy also revealed that 556,300 individuals are currently receiving welfare assistance at a cost of RM2.28bil a year, a sharp increase from just over 200,000 recipients previously.
She said the surge in numbers underlined the need to reassess income eligibility in light of the rising cost of living, particularly in urban areas.
"The department (sets) the Poverty Line Income (PGK) for food at RM1,169 as a reference, but it is not the only criterion.
"We also assess the needs and circumstances of applicants," she said during question time.
Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff (PN-Rantau Panjang) had asked about the proportion of productive and non-productive welfare recipients, the effectiveness of programmes to lift people out of poverty, and whether or not income thresholds should be reviewed as living costs climb.
Nancy said the proposal to revisit income eligibility had been raised before, and the ministry was prepared to put it forward again with parliamentary support.
Earlier, in response to Cha Kee Chin (PH-Rasah), she outlined the broader support framework for the urban poor, single mothers and vulnerable groups.
Beyond the department's monthly aid, she said, the government also channels direct assistance through other ministries and agencies, including Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) and the Urban Poverty Eradication Programme (PPKB).
Support is not limited to cash, she noted.
Nancy added that the Kash Ibu Tunggal (Prokit) scheme has been rebranded as Kasihnita from this year, with modules on legal literacy, financial management and personal development, aimed at helping single mothers become more self-reliant and play a bigger role in their communities.
