Socso COVID-19 Claims Now Grouped Under Occupational Disease

Social Security Organisation (Socso) said that its contributors can receive Covid-19 benefits, but they are limited to certain professions only.

Starting April 1, Socso said it would process all claims related to Covid-19 under the occupational disease category.

 

All Covid-19 benefits claims will be processed as an occupational disease

"If contributors want to make Covid-19 benefit claims, it is still eligible for consideration. However, it is limited to occupations exposed to biological agents and infections among healthcare workers.

"The claim will be processed as an occupational disease, and the eligible insured worker will receive benefits under either the employment injury scheme or the disability scheme.

According to Socso, the Covid-19 benefit claim covers: 

• Temporary disability benefits, 

• Disability pension,

• Retirement pension,

• Permanent disability benefits, and 

• Funeral management benefits.

Previously, Socso had been processing Covid-19 benefit claims as an employment injury rather than an occupational disease, as the organisation wanted to assist affected workers.

Socso said its move to process Covid-19 benefit claims as an occupational disease was in line with the Prime Minister's announcement that Malaysia would start its transition to the endemic phase beginning April 1.

"This implementation is seen as well-timed as economic activities throughout Malaysia are starting to show positive development, and more people are already returning to work. It is also according to the 'exit strategy' developed by the government so that the country can return to a near-normal life after over two years at war with Covid-19," Socso said.

 

What about those who got Covid-19 before April 1?

For claims involving contributors who were confirmed positive before April 1, it said the claims would still be handled as an employment injury.

Socso added that the Fifth Schedule of Employment Social Security Act highlighted occupational diseases as those happening out of and in the course of employment.

As Covid-19 was recognised as a disease specified in the Fifth Schedule, it could be deemed an occupational disease if it fulfilled the prescribed conditions under Section 28, Fifth Schedule, Part VII Biological Agents No. 10.

Socso added that other infectious diseases that are also listed under the category of occupational diseases are:

• Tuberculosis,

• Nipah virus infection, and

• Leptospirosis

It also said that as of March 26, Socso had accepted 132,988 Covid-19 benefit claims, including both local and foreign workers. Overall, more than RM133mil has been paid out since the provision of the benefits began being rolled out on February 24, 2021.

Socso said that while the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the country had been unexpected, at the same time, it has also brought the social protection ecosystem to a higher and more extensive level compared to pre-pandemic times.

Socso said that it is committed to continuously enhancing its social protection network to ensure the well-being of the Malaysian Family, especially for over nine million contributors nationwide.

For more information, please refer to the Socso website at www.perkeso.gov.my, contact the Socso Careline number at 1-300-22-8000 or email perkeso@perkeso.gov.my.

 

Source: Sosco