Welfare Dept Adopts 2024 PGK For Assistance Eligibility Effective Jan 1 - Deputy Minister

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 21 (Bernama) -- The Social Welfare Department (JKM) has begun adopting the 2024 Poverty Line Income (PGK) as one of the eligibility criteria for welfare assistance, effective Jan 1, in line with the implementation of the new PGK value announced under Budget 2026.

Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Lim Hui Ying said the 2024 PGK has been set at RM1,236, an increase from RM1,198 under the 2022 Food PGK. Meanwhile, the per capita PGK for 2024 has been raised to RM348 from RM322 in 2022.

“This year, RM2.9 billion has been allocated to the ministry through the Social Welfare Department (JKM) for the distribution of welfare financial assistance, compared with RM2.7 billion in 2025, representing an increase of 7.41 per cent,” Lim said during a question-and-answer session at the Dewan Rakyat.

She was responding to a question from Mohamad Shafizan Kepli (GPS-Batang Lupar) regarding the criteria used to re-evaluate the eligibility of existing recipients for monthly welfare assistance.

Lim said for existing recipients, eligibility is re-evaluated annually, including a review conducted two months before the assistance period ends, to assess their current economic and social circumstances. During this process, recipients are required to submit the JKM 20 form, and the department’s officers may also conduct investigations or home visits if necessary.

She added that the increase in the 2024 Poverty Line Income (PGK) compared with the 2022 Food PGK is expected to broaden the reach of government assistance to more groups in need.

Replying to a supplementary question from Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff (PN-Rantau Panjang) on differences in the cost of living in Sabah and Sarawak, Lim said the government was aware that living costs in both states were higher compared with those in Peninsular Malaysia, but the implementation of welfare assistance remained in line with existing guidelines.

-- BERNAMA