Working Wives Eligible for Housewives' Social Security Scheme

Working wives are also eligible to contribute to the Housewives' Social Security Scheme (SKSSR), even if they are already contributing under the Social Security Organisation's (Socso) Employees Social Security Act 1969 (Act 4).

 

Working wives are still at risk while doing housework

Socso CEO Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohamed said this is because they are still at risk of accidents after working hours while doing housework.

According to him, through SKSSR, contributors can receive benefits in the event of an accident while carrying out their responsibilities as housewives.

"Accidents while doing housework will not be covered by Act 4, except for the Disability Scheme, such as suffering from stroke at home.

"If there is an incident such as stroke, the working wife can choose a better scheme to make a claim, which is Act 4.

"However, if there is an accident such as a fall or injured while doing housework or an accident while sending a child to school, they can make a claim through the SKSSR," he said.

 

Housewives' Social Security Scheme

SKSSR is a scheme under the Housewives' Social Security Bill 2022. Registrations will be open on 1 December.

The scheme will provide protection to: 

• Married or unmarried women, 

• Widows, and 

• Single mothers.

The scheme will cover Malaysians and permanent residents.

Mohammed Azman further commented that the scheme is voluntary, and the contribution for a period of 12 months of RM120 is payable as a protection payment.

He said there is no salary cap for the target group to be eligible for the scheme. 

"While it is not compulsory to contribute, the husband or those who made the contribution must commit to making payment when they registered for the scheme.

"In the event of a divorce, the husband loses his job or an accident that makes him unable to contribute, the contribution can be cancelled within 60 days.

"However, the reasons given must be reasonable," he said.

 

More about SKSSR

Wives could also choose to make their own contributions if their husbands elect not to sign up for the scheme. Insured wives who make the contributions will continue to be protected: 

• In the death of the husband, or 

• In the event of a divorce from the husband, or 

• The husband could not pay contributions due to loss of income or other reasons until the expiry of the contribution period.

If the husband cannot pay contributions due to the loss of income or other reasons, he must inform Socso 60 days before his next scheduled contribution.

A husband who voluntarily signed up for the scheme but failed to contribute could face an RM10,000 fine.

 

Disability and medical benefits

In this scheme, contributing wives are entitled to: 

• Medical benefits, 

• Permanent disablement benefits, 

• Constant attendance allowance, 

• Survivor's pension, and 

• Funeral benefits.

The scheme provides a range of medical benefits and compensation payments from RM300 to RM50,000, depending on the severity of the wives' injuries sustained at home.

For instance, wives with total permanent disabilities such as the loss of a hand or foot, severe facial disfigurement, loss of eyesight necessary for work or afflicted by total deafness will receive RM30,000 in compensation. Socso would also pay out RM300 in compensation to wives who lose part of their toes. 

There will also be an RM250 monthly allowance for wives who need constant aid after their injuries, including RM200 per month for dialysis treatment for those who suffer from end-stage renal failure.

The housewife will also be entitled to an RM50,000 maximum compensation for physical rehabilitation. Socso will also provide a one-off payment of RM2,000 for the families of the deceased housewife.

 

Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan tabled the Housewives' Social Security Act bill earlier in July.