Government Assistance (Bantuan Kerajaan) for Employees in Malaysia (2026): STR, SARA, EIS, PERKESO & More

Many employees struggle with rising living costs, financial stress, and unexpected emergencies. While salary is important, several government assistance and support programmes are available to help employees manage living costs, retirement planning, and unexpected situations such as job loss or workplace injuries.

For employers and HR teams, understanding these programmes can help:

Support employee wellbeing
Answer common employee questions
Improve financial literacy in the workplace
Direct employees to the right assistance programmes
Strengthen employee retention and engagement

This guide explains the key government assistance and support programmes that employees in Malaysia may qualify for in 2026.

Important: Employees must apply for most programmes individually. Employers cannot apply on their behalf. However, HR teams play a critical role in ensuring employees are informed and have the right documentation ready.

Quick Overview: Government Assistance Programmes 2026

Programme	What You Get	Who Qualifies	How to Access
STR	Cash assistance — amount varies by category	Eligible households and individuals based on income requirements	Apply or update information via the STR Portal (bantuantunai.hasil.gov.my)
SARA	Assistance for purchasing essential goods	Eligible STR recipients and Malaysians under SARA Untuk Semua	Automatically credited via MyKad
EIS	Temporary financial support after job loss	Employees who meet EIS contribution and eligibility requirements	Claim via PERKESO ASSIST portal (assist.perkeso.gov.my)
PERKESO	Social protection and financial assistance	Eligible employees covered under PERKESO schemes	Claim via PERKESO portal or panel clinic
i-Saraan	Government incentive for voluntary EPF savings	Self-employed individuals and gig workers	Register via EPF (kwsp.gov.my or i-Akaun app)
i-Suri	Government contribution to EPF savings	Eligible housewives registered under programme requirements	Register via EPF (kwsp.gov.my or i-Akaun app)
MyFutureJobs	Job matching, reskilling, and career support	Job seekers and retrenched workers	Register at myfuturejobs.gov.my

Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR)

STR provides cash assistance to eligible Malaysians based on household income and family circumstances. Payments are typically distributed in tranches throughout the year following the annual federal budget announcement.

How Much Does STR Pay?

Payment amounts vary by recipient category and are announced annually by the government. The general breakdown is:

Category	Payment Level
Married couple with children (lower income household)	Higher amount
Married couple with children (middle income household)	Moderate amount
Single / bujang (aged 21+)	Lower amount
Senior citizen (aged 60+)	Lower amount

Note: Payment amounts are set annually and may change based on the federal budget. Always refer to the official STR portal at bantuantunai.hasil.gov.my for the latest confirmed amounts.

Who Qualifies for STR?

Eligibility is determined by the government based on factors such as:

Malaysian citizenship
Household income category
Marital status
Number of children
Information available in government databases and applications submitted through the STR portal

Because eligibility criteria and payment amounts may change from year to year, applicants should always refer to the official STR portal for the latest information.

How to Apply for STR

Check eligibility at bantuantunai.hasil.gov.my
If not automatically registered, apply via the portal with MyKad details
Ensure bank account details are updated in the system for payment crediting
Track payment status and announcement dates via the same portal

What HR Can Do

Share the STR portal link (bantuantunai.hasil.gov.my) with employees during Q1 when applications typically open
Assist employees in obtaining salary slips or employment confirmation letters as supporting documents
Remind employees to update their bank account details before each payment period

Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA)

SARA provides assistance for purchasing essential goods using MyKad at participating stores. The amount of assistance and eligible items may vary depending on the recipient category and government announcements.

What Does SARA Provide?

Examples of approved items may include:

Rice
Bread
Eggs
Cooking oil
Milk
Flour
Other essential household items

Applicants should refer to the official SARA portal for the latest list of participating stores and eligible products.

Who Qualifies?

Eligibility for SARA depends on the requirements announced by the government. Certain STR recipients and eligible Malaysians may qualify for the programme.
SARA Untuk Semua extends the programme to a broader group of eligible Malaysians
No separate application is usually needed, assistance is automatically credited to eligible recipients via MyKad
Employees can check their status via the STR portal or at a participating store

What HR Can Do

Inform employees that SARA assistance is typically automatic for STR recipients
Share information on participating stores available at the official SARA portal
Remind lower-income employees to verify their MyKad balance at a participating outlet

Employment Insurance System (EIS)

EIS provides temporary financial support and reemployment assistance for workers who lose their jobs through retrenchment, redundancy, or company closure. It is one of the most important and most misunderstood employee protections in Malaysia.

Critical: EIS does NOT cover employees who resign voluntarily or are dismissed for misconduct. Only genuine retrenchment, redundancy, or company closure qualifies.

How Much Does EIS Pay?

The Job Search Allowance (JSA) is the main EIS benefit, paid for up to 6 months:

Month	Job Search Allowance Rate	Notes
Month 1	80% of daily wages	Highest payment
Month 2	80% of daily wages
Month 3	60% of daily wages
Month 4	50% of daily wages
Month 5	40% of daily wages
Month 6	30% of daily wages	Lowest payment

Who Qualifies for EIS?

Malaysian citizens and permanent residents in the private sector
Must meet the contribution and eligibility requirements determined by PERKESO.
Job loss must be due to retrenchment, redundancy, or company closure — not resignation or misconduct
Must be actively seeking employment to continue receiving the allowance

How to Claim EIS

File a claim at assist.perkeso.gov.my within 60 days of the last working day
Submit supporting documents: termination letter, last payslip, MyKad copy
Attend career counselling at a PERKESO career centre if required
Receive monthly JSA payments for up to 6 months
Report job search activities monthly to continue receiving payments

60-day deadline: Employees who miss the 60-day claim window forfeit their EIS benefits. HR should inform retrenched employees of this deadline on their last working day.

What HR Must Do

Notify PERKESO via the ASSIST portal when retrenching employees, this speeds up claim processing
Issue a termination letter clearly stating the reason as 'redundancy' or 'retrenchment'
Provide retrenched employees with their last payslip and EA form promptly
Inform employees of the 60-day EIS claim deadline on their last working day
Ensure all EIS contributions are paid up to date, gaps can delay or affect the employee's claim

PERKESO Benefits

PERKESO provides social protection through several schemes for private sector employees. These are funded by SOCSO contributions deducted from monthly salaries. Many employees only discover their entitlements after an incident occurs.

The Five PERKESO Schemes Explained

Scheme	What It Covers	How to Access
Employment Injury Scheme	Covers medical costs and lost wages for injuries at work or while commuting. Includes permanent disablement benefits.	Seek treatment at PERKESO panel clinic; report within 48 hours
Invalidity Scheme	Monthly pension for employees permanently unable to work due to illness or disability (not work-related), subject to contribution record.	Apply via PERKESO ASSIST portal with medical documentation
Medical Benefits	Treatment costs at PERKESO panel clinics and hospitals for work-related injuries.	Present PERKESO card at panel clinic
Dependants' Benefits	Monthly payments to spouse and children of employee who dies from a work-related accident.	Family applies via PERKESO ASSIST portal or nearest PERKESO office
Rehabilitation Support	Physical and vocational rehabilitation to help injured workers return to employment.	Referred by PERKESO after injury claim is approved

Who Is Covered?

Most Malaysian and permanent resident employees in the private sector are covered under PERKESO schemes.

Certain PERKESO schemes also apply to foreign workers, depending on the specific scheme and applicable regulations. Employers should always refer to the latest PERKESO guidelines regarding foreign worker coverage.

How to Access PERKESO Benefits

Work-related injuries: seek treatment at a PERKESO panel clinic immediately and report within 48 hours
Invalidity claims: apply via the ASSIST PERKESO portal with medical documentation
Dependants' claims: family members apply at the nearest PERKESO office or via the portal

Full list of PERKESO panel clinics and scheme details: perkeso.gov.my

What HR Should Do

Display the PERKESO panel clinic list at the workplace
Train line managers to report workplace injuries within 48 hours late reporting may affect claim eligibility
Educate new employees during onboarding on what SOCSO deductions provide
Ensure SOCSO contributions are paid on time, gaps may affect invalidity scheme eligibility

i-Saraan — For Self-Employed and Gig Workers

i-Saraan is a voluntary EPF contribution programme for self-employed individuals and workers without fixed income, designed to support long-term retirement savings.

What Does i-Saraan Provide?

Under the latest programme:

The government provides an incentive equal to 20% of annual contributions
Maximum incentive: RM500 per year
Lifetime incentive limit: RM5,000

Participants may also enjoy:

Annual EPF dividends
Long-term retirement savings growth
Flexible voluntary contribution amounts — no minimum required

Who Qualifies?

Malaysian citizens aged 18 to 55
Self-employed, freelancers, gig workers, or anyone without a formal employer making EPF deductions
No minimum monthly contribution amount required

How to Register

Download the KWSP i-Akaun app or visit any KWSP branch
Register as a self-employed contributor under i-Saraan
Make voluntary contributions via the app, online banking, or at a KWSP counter
Government incentive is credited to the EPF account — check latest rates at kwsp.gov.my

What HR Can Do

Recommend i-Saraan to employees transitioning to freelance or gig work when leaving the company
Include i-Saraan information in offboarding packs for employees moving to self-employment

i-Suri — For Housewives

i-Suri is an EPF programme that helps eligible housewives build retirement savings, with contributions supported by the government.

What Does i-Suri Provide?

Government contribution credited directly to the housewife's EPF Account 1
The contribution amount and terms are set by EPF and the government — refer to kwsp.gov.my for the latest figures
Additional voluntary contributions can be made by the housewife at any time

Who Qualifies?

Eligibility requirements may change from time to time, but generally include:

Malaysian citizen
Registered with eKasih
Meets the eligibility requirements set by EPF and the government.

Applicants should always check the latest requirements directly with EPF at kwsp.gov.my or via the i-Akaun app.

How to Register

Housewife registers via the KWSP i-Akaun app or at any KWSP branch
Provide MyKad for verification
Once approved, government contribution is credited according to the programme schedule

What HR Can Do

Inform married employees that their non-working spouses may be eligible for i-Suri
Include i-Suri information in employee financial literacy sessions

MyFutureJobs — Employment and Reskilling Platform

MyFutureJobs (myfuturejobs.gov.my) is a free government job matching and career support platform run by the Ministry of Human Resources (MOHR).

What Does MyFutureJobs Offer?

Free job matching between job seekers and employers
Access to approved training and reskilling programmes
Career counselling and advisory services
Connection to PERKESO career support for retrenched workers

Who Can Use MyFutureJobs?

Job seekers — anyone actively looking for employment
Retrenched workers — directed here as part of the EIS claim and support process
Employers — can register and access various hiring and talent services through MyFutureJobs.

How to Register

Visit myfuturejobs.gov.my
Register as a job seeker or employer using MyKad or SSM number
Complete the skills profile for better job matching

What HR Can Do

Register your company on MyFutureJobs, free access to a broad candidate pool including retrenched workers
Refer retrenched employees to MyFutureJobs as part of responsible retrenchment practice
Include MyFutureJobs information in retrenchment exit packs alongside EIS claim instructions

What Documents HR May Need to Provide

When employees apply for government assistance, they may require documentation from their employer. Having these ready reduces delays and helps employees access support faster.

Programme	Documents That May Be Required
STR	Salary slips, employment confirmation letter
EIS	Termination letter, last payslip, employment records
PERKESO	Accident report, medical documents, employment information
MyFutureJobs	Employment details and retrenchment information
i-Saraan / i-Suri	Usually applied directly by the individual — employer documents generally not required

Tip: Preparing a standard set of HR documents (latest payslip, employment confirmation letter, termination letter template) in advance means you can respond quickly when an employee needs assistance.

How Employers Can Support Employees

Government assistance programmes should not replace employee benefits — but they can complement an employer's wellbeing strategy. Here is a practical action plan for HR teams:

Action	Why It Helps	What to Include
Financial Wellbeing Guide	Compile key programmes, eligibility criteria, and application links in one internal document	Include: STR portal, EIS claim steps, PERKESO clinic list, i-Saraan for gig workers
Annual Reminders	Many employees miss deadlines because no one told them	STR opens Q1; EIS claims within 60 days of job loss; EA forms by 28 February
Onboarding	New employees often don't know what their deductions are for	Explain EPF, SOCSO, EIS purposes and what happens if they are retrenched
Retrenchment Support	Retrenched employees have a 60-day window to claim EIS — many miss it	Notify PERKESO via ASSIST portal; issue termination letter stating 'redundancy'; release EA form promptly
Financial Literacy Sessions	Employees who understand their benefits experience less financial stress	Cover STR eligibility, EIS claims, PERKESO protection, EPF account types

Key point: The most impactful thing HR can do is ensure employees know these programmes exist and how to access them. Most employees who miss out on EIS, STR, or PERKESO benefits do so because no one informed them in time.

Which Government Assistance Programmes May Your Employees Qualify For?

Most government assistance programmes use household income as one of their eligibility criteria. The B40/M40/T20 classification helps identify which programmes an employee may be eligible for.

Household Income	Income Category	Examples of Assistance
RM5,906 and below	B40	STR, SARA, selected welfare programmes
RM5,906 – RM12,567	M40	Certain assistance programmes depending on eligibility
RM12,567 and above	T20	Social protection schemes such as EIS and PERKESO

Important: EIS and PERKESO benefits are generally available regardless of household income, provided contribution and eligibility requirements are met.

Sources

STR Portal: https://bantuantunai.hasil.gov.my/
SARA Portal: https://sara.gov.my/
PERKESO: https://perkeso.gov.my/
EPF (KWSP): https://www.kwsp.gov.my/en/
MyFutureJobs: https://myfuturejobs.gov.my/

FAQs

How do I check if I am eligible for STR?

You can check your STR eligibility and application status through the official STR portal using your MyKad number. If required, your employer may assist by providing supporting documents such as salary slips or employment confirmation letters.

How do employees claim EIS after retrenchment?

Employees should submit their EIS claim through the PERKESO ASSIST portal within 60 days of their last working day. Required documents generally include the termination letter, last payslip, and MyKad copy. Late submissions may affect eligibility for EIS benefits.

What is the difference between EIS and SOCSO / PERKESO?

SOCSO (through PERKESO) provides protection for work-related injuries, invalidity, and dependants' benefits. EIS specifically provides temporary financial support and employment assistance to eligible employees who lose their jobs. Although both are administered by PERKESO, they are separate schemes with different benefits and eligibility requirements.

Can part-time workers claim EIS?

Yes, provided they are Malaysian citizens or permanent residents working in the private sector and EIS contributions have been made on their behalf. Employees must also meet the eligibility requirements determined by PERKESO.

Is EIS considered government assistance?

No. EIS is a social protection scheme administered by PERKESO that provides temporary financial support to eligible employees who lose their jobs. It is funded through statutory contributions rather than direct government cash assistance.

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